How to Get Direct Moxibustion

Moxibustion is an ancient technique used for treating any condition that is caused by an excess of cold, damp energy in the body. Moxibustion uses burning mugwort to create heat. That heat is then applied to areas of the body that are affected by disease, and the heat expels the offending cold. Nowadays, most moxibustion is indirect, meaning the burning mugwort is in stick form and is waved above the surface of your skin. However, traditional moxibustion involves burning the mugwort right on your skin until the smoking embers actually burn it. This is known as direct moxibustion. While not common anymore, you can still get direct moxibustion from certain practitioners.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Get an experienced direct moxibustion practitioner to perform the procedure on you. Unlike other types of moxibustion that you could, theoretically, perform on yourself, direct moxibustion requires the supervision of a professional.

2. Lie flat and still as the practitioner pours a small amount of moxa powder onto the spot on your body that is to be treated. The practitioner will then form the moxa powder into the shape of a cone.

3. Relax as the moxibustion practitioner lights the top of the cone with a lighter. Then, wait patiently as the moxa powder burns all the way down to your skin.

4. Prepare for some pain when the burning part of the moxa cone reaches your skin. The pain should not be too intense, in most cases, and will only last a few minutes, so grit your teeth and bear it, knowing it is helping you to become healthier.

5. Rinse any moxa powder residue off you with lukewarm water. Do not use cold water, as this would counteract the benefits of the direct moxibustion.

Tips & Warnings

• It is difficult to get direct moxibustion anywhere outside of Japan these days. Even in China, where the technique originated, indirect moxibustion is the main kind that is used. This is due to the aversion most people have to the scarring you typically get with direct moxibustion. However, most of the studies done on the effectiveness of moxibustion have centered on the direct kind. The scarring of the skin produces a desirable immune reaction you may not get from indirect moxibustion.
• Some direct moxibustion practitioners may place a slice of ginger or a topical cream underneath the moxa cone to inhibit scarring and pain. However, this may interfere with the beneficial action of the moxibustion procedure.

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