Moxibustion is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves the burning of mugwort (Artemisa) herb, to facilitate healing. Moxibustion has been used throughout Asia for thousands of years. The purpose of moxibustion, as with most forms of traditional Chinese medicine, is to strengthen the blood, stimulate the flow of Qi, and maintain general health.

 

There are different types of moxibustion, for example: direct and indirect. Both direct and indirect methods create heat by burning moxa, a herb derived from drying the underside of the mugwort plant's leaves. 
 

In traditional Chinese medicine, moxibustion is used on people who have a cold or stagnant condition. The burning of moxa is used to expel cold and warm the meridians, which leads to smoother flow of blood and Qi.  Moxibustion has successfully been used to turn breech babies into a normal head-down position prior to childbirth.

When moxa warms the skin, it causes an elevation in blood cell counts (especially that of white blood cells), strengthens one's immunity, reduces pain and inflammation.

 

Moxibustion is best combined with Acupuncture, but when done alone can also achieve excellent results. Moxibustion is used for the treatment of a wide range of disorders, especially neurological and musculo-skeletal ones. It is also used regularly for the prevention of  disease and the maintenance of health and well being.