Moxibustion treats and prevents diseases by applying heat to points or certain locations of the human body. The material used is mainly "moxa-wool" in the form of a cone or stick. For centuries, moxibustion and acupuncture have been combined in clinical practice, thus they are usually termed together in Asia

•  Functions of Moxibustion

1. It is easy to understand that moxibusion functions to warm up the meridians and promote blood circulation. Therefore, it is mostly used in clinic to treat diseases caused by cold-dampness and persistent diseases caused by pathogenic cold penetrating into he deep muscles.

2. Another function of moxibusion is to induce Qi and Blood to flow upward or downward.

3. To strengthen YANG from collapse

4. To prevent diseases and keep healthy

 •  Material for Moxibusion

Moxa wool, moxa cones, moxa sticks, matches and a tray should be ready before hand.

1. Making of moxa cones:
Place a small amount of moxa wool on a boad, knead and shape it into a cone with the thumb,index and middle fingers in three sizes. The smallest is as big as a grain of wheat: the medium size is about half a date stone, and the largest is the size of the upper part of the thumb. The two smaller cones are suitable for direct Moxibustion, while the largest for indirect moxibustion.

•  CONTRAINDICATIONS

1. Excess syndrome, and heat syndrome ( including high fever caused by common cold or heat due to yin deficiency ) are not allowed to be treated by moxibustion. It is stated in Treaise on Febrile Diseases that "a patient with feeble and rapid pulse should not be treated by moxibustion. Although the heat of moxibsution is work, strong internal impact may produce," indicating that improper moxibustion may bring bad results.

 2. Scarring moxibustion should not be applied to the face and head, and the area in the vicinity of the large blood vessels. According to the recordings of ancient literature, there are certain points which are advisable to acupuncture but not suitable for moxibustion, because most of them are close to the vital organs or arteries.

3. The abdominal region and lumbosacral region of the pregnant women are not allowed to use moxibustion.

 •  Management after Moxibustion

After moxibustion, different degrees of burns may remain in the local region, or there is only a slight red sign of burning which will disappear very soon. But sometimes, a few blisters result on the skin surface, Take care not to let small blisters break. They can be healed by themselves. Large blisters should be punctured and drained. If pus is formed, the blister should be dressed to prevent further infection