Moxibustion, or Moxa for short, is a Chinese herb made from common mugwort (artemsia vulgaris). It is an external treatment based on the theory of traditional Chinese medicine and used for over 2500 years to prevent and cure diseases.

Moxa is used in most areas of treatment, but can be particularly useful for diseases such as osteoarthritis, muscular and joint pain, soft tissue injury, asthma, urinary retention, period pains, diarrhoea, weakness and fatigue. It is used to turn a breech baby, or baby in malposition during pregnancy.

Moxa is incredibly nourishing, warming and smells wonderful.

There are various types and methods of moxa, either loose moxa or it is compacted in to a moxa stick for use on larger areas of the body.

Moxa sticks are good for clearing skin conditions including:

  • Eczema
  • Psoriasis
  • bedsores
  • infected scar tissue
  • tooth-ache
  • boils
  • Spots and pimples
  • Cuts and blisters
  • Viral complaints such as herpes and shingles

Loose Moxibustion and Moxibustion sticks

Loose moxa is rolled in to cones and places directly on to an acupuncture point on the skin and ignited.

The moxa warms the point before needling and the moxa is removed before any heat touches the skin.

Moxibustion sticks are lit and kept at certain distance from the skin and work wonders for warming areas of pain.

 

Moxibustion treatment for malposition and breech babies during pregnancy

A moxibustion stick can also be used in treatment to turn malposition or breech babies. The stick is used to indirectly  warm a powerful acupuncture point on the end of the little toe with the aim of drawing the baby’s head downwards. It is a very safe and natural way to turn a breech baby without the need for medical intervention.

The optimum time to carry out the moxibustion treatment during pregnancy is around 34 weeks, but can be effective as late as 38-39 weeks. One treatment is required in clinic to be shown how to use the moxibustion, then treatment is continued at home for ten days. Moxibustion should only be used to try and turn twins with consent of your midwife.