Moxibustion

Moxibustion, also known as moxibustion therapy or moxibustion method, is a treatment method that uses moxa sticks or moxa cones made from mugwort leaves to stimulate acupoints or specific parts of the human body with moxa heat. It works by stimulating the activity of the meridians and Qi to adjust the body's disordered physiological and biochemical functions, thereby achieving the purpose of preventing and treating diseases. The mechanism of moxibustion is similar to that of acupuncture, and it has a complementary therapeutic effect with acupuncture. It has many advantages, such as simple operation, low cost, and significant effect.

Warm the meridians and dispel cold; promote the circulation of Qi and blood in the body

Normal life activities depend on the function of Qi and blood. When Qi circulates, blood circulates; when Qi stagnates, blood stagnates. The flow of blood in the meridians entirely relies on the "Qi" to push it, so blood can only flow smoothly when Qi circulates. However, many factors can affect the circulation of Qi and blood. For example, "cold causes Qi to contract, while heat causes Qi to accelerate," indicating that cold and heat affect the circulation of Qi and blood. Cold Qi and stagnant blood cause slow blood flow, easily leading to coagulation and illness. Moxibustion can be used to warm the meridians and dispel cold, maintaining normal blood circulation. The "Ling Shu Jing•Ci Jie Zhen Xie" states, "The blood in the pulse, if congealed and stagnant, cannot be retrieved without fire adjustment." Fire adjustment refers to moxibustion. Therefore, moxibustion is very effective for diseases such as bi syndrome and diarrhea caused by cold blood and poor circulation, leading to stagnation and coagulation.

Promote Qi and blood circulation; enhance the body's disease resistance

Meridians are distributed throughout the body. Internally, they connect with the internal organs; externally, they are distributed on the surface of the body and muscles. They are the key to connecting the internal and external parts of the body and regulating the normal operation of the body. Due to the invasion of "six evils," Qi and blood easily stagnate in some parts of the body, blocking meridians and causing symptoms such as swelling, pain, and a series of functional disorders. Moxibustion on the corresponding acupoints can dredge meridians, regulate Qi and blood, and balance functions, thus enhancing the body's disease resistance.

Support Yang Qi and prevent collapse; rescue those in critical condition

Yang Qi is the foundation of human health, and human lifespan is also related to whether Yang Qi is strong or not. If Yang Qi is sick, Yin Qi will be strong, and if Yin Qi is strong, it will cause cold, collapse, and even depletion of vital energy, weak pulse, and impending collapse. In such cases, moxibustion can be used to treat it. The Song Dynasty's "Zhenjiu Zisheng Jing" states: "In the case of drowning, one can still be saved after one night. Remove the clothes of the deceased and apply moxibustion to the navel, and they will live." "Shang Han Lun" points out: "In cases of Shaoyin illness with vomiting and diarrhea, cold hands and feet,...and weak pulse, apply moxibustion to Shaoyin seven times." "In cases of diarrhea, cold hands and feet, irritability, apply moxibustion to Jueyin. In cases of no pulse, apply moxibustion." It can be seen that in critically ill patients with Yang Qi deficiency, such as vomiting, cold hands and feet, and weak pulse, applying large moxa cones to acupoints like Guanyuan and Shenque can support Yang Qi, prevent collapse, revive Yang Qi, and rescue from critical conditions. Mugwort has a pure Yang nature, and fire also belongs to Yang. The combination of two Yang energies often produces the best effect. Moxibustion can be used to treat emergencies such as stroke collapse, acute abdominal pain with vomiting and diarrhea, and dysentery.

Lift Yang Qi and support sagging organs; restore the body's normal functions

Weak Yang Qi can lead to upper deficiency and lower excess, and Qi deficiency and sagging, resulting in symptoms such as prolapse of the anus, uterine prolapse, metrorrhagia, chronic diarrhea, chronic dysentery, and habitual abortion. The "Ling Shu Jing•Jing Mai" says: "In cases of prolapse, apply moxibustion." Therefore, moxibustion therapy can be used for Qi deficiency, sagging organs, and organ prolapse. Li Dongyuan, the founder of spleen and stomach theory, believed that "sagging means that the skin and hair cannot withstand wind and cold." "In the universe, there is nothing other than Yin and Yang. Yang is outside and above, while Yin is inside and below. Sagging refers to the entry of Yang Qi into Yin Qi, where Yin is above and Yang is reversed. If pulse and symptoms are shown externally, apply moxibustion." Therefore, moxibustion can not only benefit Qi and warm Yang, lift Yang Qi and support sagging organs, secure the fetus, and consolidate the menstruation, but also treat diseases where the Wei Yang is not strong and the skin is loose, such as prolapse of the anus, uterine prolapse, and chronic diarrhea.

Remove toxins and clear heat; regulate body functions

People have always believed that moxibustion mainly treats cold conditions, and many physicians have suggested that moxibustion should be avoided for heat conditions. However, some physicians support the use of moxibustion for heat conditions. For example, the "Huangdi Neijing" mentions using moxibustion to treat abscesses, and the Tang Dynasty's "Qianjin Yaofang" points out that moxibustion has the effect of promoting the excretion of excess heat from the internal organs. For instance, "if the small intestine is full of heat, apply moxibustion to Yin Du; according to the age, strengthen it." "For thirst and dry mouth that cannot be endured, apply moxibustion to the Xiao Chang Shu acupoint 100 times, and also apply moxibustion to the horizontal three-inch acupoint." The "Medical Introduction" explains the mechanism of using moxibustion for heat conditions as "moxibustion on heat, leading the stagnant heat outward, in accordance with the principle of fire treating dryness." Therefore, as long as moxibustion is used properly, it can both dispel cold and clear heat, playing a two-way regulating role on the body.

Disease prevention and health preservation; preventing disease before it occurs

Traditional Chinese medicine has always attached great importance to disease prevention, putting forward ideas such as "preventing disease before it occurs" and "treating disease before it occurs." In addition to treating diseases, moxibustion also has the functions of disease prevention and health preservation, and is one of the traditional methods of disease prevention and health preservation. As a folk saying goes, "If you want to stay healthy, keep Zusanli acupoint moxibustioned." "If Zusanli acupoint is moxibustioned consistently, all diseases will subside." This means that moxibustion on the Zusanli acupoint can promote health. The Tang Dynasty's "Qianjin Yaofang" states: "When traveling to Wu and Shu, one should always moxibustion three or two places on the body, preventing the wounds from healing, thus preventing the invasion of miasma, malaria, and toxic qi." It shows that moxibustion can prevent infectious diseases. "Zhenjiu Dacheng" records the use of moxibustion on Zusanli to prevent stroke. Moxibustion can warm Yang Qi and replenish deficiency. Regular moxibustion on Zusanli and Zhongwan can strengthen the stomach Qi. The stomach is the sea of food and drink and the source of nourishment and protective Qi. All five internal organs and six bowels receive Qi from the stomach. If the stomach Qi is strong, Qi and blood will be abundant, thus the body will be healthy. Mingmen is the location of the body's true fire, the root of human life, and regular moxibustion can maintain sufficient Yang Qi. Guanyuan and Qihai are the places where essence and blood are stored. Moxibustion can make essence and blood abundant, thus enhancing the body's immunity and achieving disease prevention and health preservation.