The moxibustion for health care mainly makes use of the heat of the ignited argyi wool to give the certain parts of the body the febrile stimulation. The stimulation exerts the effect by means of meridians, collaterals and acupoints to enhance health and prolong life.
1. Commonly-used moxibustion types for health care
Moxa is mostly used in moxibustion. Moxa is a pungent, warm-and hot-natured drug. After igniting the moxa, place it on the acupoint. The heat is persistent and penetrating. When the feeling of heat penetrates into the deep muscle, it can achieve the purposes of preventing and treating diseases by warming and dredging meridians and collaterals, promoting qi flow and blood circulation, strengthening primordial qi, the spleen and the stomach. Moxibustion is mainly divided into three types of moxibustion with moxa cones, moxibustion with moxa sticks and moxibustion with the warming needle according to different uses of moxibustion. The moxibustion methods can be classified into three kinds of direct moxibustion, indirect moxibusfion, suspended moxibustion. Click here to learn Fibroid.shtml">Acupuncture Treatment for Fibroid.
2. Moxibustion methods for health care
The acupoints are well selected according to the physique and the requirement of health preservation and rehabilitation. The ignited moxa stick or moxa cone is aimed at the acupoint to produce a feeling of mild heat, the degree of which is determined by a warm and cozy feeling as well as endurability. Click here to learn Hemorrhoids.shtml">Acupuncture Treatment for Hemorrhoids.
Moxibustion usually lasts for 3 to 5 minutes, the longest one being ten to fifteen minutes. Short moxibustion is advisable to strengthen health and prevent diseases while long moxibustion may be used for treatment and rehabilitation; short moxibustion is advisable in the two seasons of spring and summer while long moxibustion is advisable in autumn and winter; short moxibustion is advisable on limbs and the chest while long moxibustion is advisable on the abdomen and back, short moxibustion is advisable in old people, women and children while long moxibustion may be used in young people and people in their thirties to fifties. Click here to learn Impotence.shtml">Acupuncture Treatment for Impotence.
The order for moxibustion is as follows: Moxibustion is generally applied to the upper part first, and then to the lower path treats the back first, the abdomen second; the head first and the four extremities second.
Time was measured with the help of the size of the moxa cones and the number of the moxa cones m the ancient moxibustion. The moxa cone is made into the cone-shaped units of measurement by hand which are divided into three types of big cone, medium-sized cone and small cone. The big cone is like a broad bean, the medium-sized cone a soybean and the small cone a wheat grain. Every moxa cone burnt is called one zhuang (a moxa cone). Click here to learn Asthma.shtml">Acupuncture Treatment for Asthma.
The moxa cones are accordingly selected according to the site used for moxibustion and the state of physique. For instance, small number (roughly 3 to 5 moxa cones) is advisable on the distal ends of limbs while big moxa cones and more number (about 5 to 15 moxa cones) are advisable on the trunk and the proximal ends of limbs; more number of moxa cones is advisable for young people and people in their thirties to fifties while small number of moxa cones is advisable for old people and children.
Besides, pay attention to the contraindications of moxibustion, namely, moxibustion is contraindicated for sthenic heat syndromes, fever due to yin deficiency as welt as on the abdomen and lumbosacral portion of pregnant women. Learn more information, please read Moxibustion Methods.
3. Commonly-used moxibustion points for health care
1). Zusanli (ST36)
Zusanli (ST36) is the He-Sea acupoint of the stomach meridian. It has the actions of strengthening the spleen, regulating the stomach, promoting digestion and absorption, improving appetite, etc. and can prevent and treat diseases of enterogastric tract. Besides, it also tonifies renal essence, strengthens the tendons and bones, and has very good therapeutic effects on the prevention and treatment of dizziness, tinnitus, lassitude in the waist and knees, seminal emission and premature ejaculation due to deficiency of renal essence as well as ischias, etc. Learn more information, please read Male Infertility in TCM.
Modern studies show that moxibustion at Zusanli (ST36) can increase immunity of the organism, regulate gastrointestinal functions, and adjust favorably blood system, respiratory system and circulatory system, etc. The commonly used moxibustion methods include suspended moxibustion with moxa sticks and scarring moxibustion with moxa cones.
2). Shenque (CV8)
Shenque (CV 8) warms and strengthens the kidney yang, enhances the spleen and stomach in transportation. It is the important acupoint to warm yang and prevents collapse, and has the warming and strengthening effects on pain and cold of the abdomen, diarrhea, cool limbs, etc. due to insufficiency of yang and qi in old and weak people. The commonly-used moxibustion methods include moxibustion with ginger and moxibustion with salt. Learn more information, please read Causes of Male Infertility in TCM.
3). Guanyuan (CV 4)
Guanyuan (CV 4), also called Dantian, is the place where the primordial qi of the whole body accumulates. It can warm the kidney, consolidate body resistance, supplement qi,?recuperate depleted yang,?regulate and dredge governor vessel (GV) and conception vessel (CV) and regulate qi flow and blood circulation. The acupoint is the important acupoint to preserve health and strengthen physique. It is also the commonly-used acupoint for the moxibustion for health care in old people.? Prolonged moxibustion of this acupoint can make the primordial qi and kidney qi sufficient, and prevent and treat weakness, aversion to cold and fatigue due to deficiency of yang and qi as well as diarrhea, impotence, premature ejaculation, etc. The commonly-used moxibustion methods include moxibustion with ginger, moxibustion with the cake of Fuzi (Radix Aconiti Praeparata) and moxa roll moxibustion. The moxibustion is not advisable for pregnant women. Learn more information, please read Symptoms of Male Infertility in TCM.
4). Qihai (CV 6)
Qihai (CV 6), also called Shangdantian, pertains to conception vessel below the navel. The acupoint, the sea of all types of qi, is the important acupoint to invigorate primordial qi, regulate qi activities generally and preserve health for health care. Prolonged moxibustion of this acupoint can supplement primordial qi and regulate qi activities. It cures diarrhea, impotence, seminal emission, irregular menstruation, etc. due to deficiency of renal qi and primordial qi, disorder of qi activities of lower energizer. The commonly-used moxibustion methods include moxa roll moxibustion, moxibustion with the moxa cone, moxibustion with ginger, moxibustion with the cake of Fuzi (Radix Aconiti Praeparata), etc. Learn more information, please read TCM Diagnosis for Male Infertility.
5). Dazhui (GV 14)
Dazhui (GV 14), also called the sea of yang meridians, is the crossing acupoint of the three yang meridians of the hand and foot and governor vessel. It generally governs all types of yang qi of the body and is the important acupoint to invigorate yang qi and strengthen and preserve health. The acupoint can prevent various consumptive diseases, common cold, etc.; it can refresh the brain, relieve mental stress, improve intelligence and regulate cerebral functions, too. Modern researches discover that Dazhui (GV 14) effectively relieves inflammation, abates fever, relieves spasm, eliminates jaundice, and prevents epidemic encephalitis and influenza as well as increase white blood cells. The commonly-used moxibustion methods include moxa roll moxibustion and direct moxibustion with the moxa cone. Learn more information, please read Chinese medicine Treatment for Male Infertility.
6). Fengmen (GB 12)
Fengmen (GB 12) has the actions of dispelling wind to relieve the exterior syndrome, dispersing the lung qi, clearing away heat, purging fire, etc. The acupoint can prevent and treat diseases of respiratory system such as common cold. It has good therapeutic effects on the prevention and treatment of furuncle, boils and swelling and subcutaneous ulcer, rhinitis, etc. The commonly-used moxibustion methods include moxa roll moxibustion, moxibustion with ginger and moxibustion with garlic. Learn more information, please read TCM Treatment Evaluation for Male Infertility.
7). Shenzhu (GV 12)
Shenzhu (GV 12) means the prop of the whole body. It is the important moxibustion point of health care for children. The point can activate yang, regulate and restore qi to treat injury and all pediatric diseases. Besides, Shenzhu (GV 12) can tonify the brain, relieve mental distress, and promote cerebral development to improve intelligence, disperse the lung qi, increase resistance of the organism against diseases and prevent diseases of respiratory system. The commonly-used moxibustion methods include moxa roll moxibustion, moxibustion with moxa cone and moxibustion with ginger. More information about diseases, click here to learn Obesity in TCM.
8). Gaohuang (BL 43)
Gaohuang (BL 43), one of the acupoints of health preservation and health care in the ancient times, can restore health from consumptive diseases, disperse the lung qi, activate yang, prevent common cold and tuberculosis as well as strengthen physique. The commonly-used moxibustion methods include moxa roll moxibustion, moxibustion with the moxa cone and moxibustion with ginger. More information about diseases, click here to learn Causes of Obesity in TCM.
9). Yongquan (KI 1)
Yongquan(KI 1), the first acupoints of kidney meridian, can tonify renal essence and qi, strengthen the functional activities of viscera, enhance health and delay ageing. As one of the commonly-used acupoints of health care for old people, it is also one of the main acupoints for emergency treatment simultaneously. It has the actions of promoting resuscitation, refreshing the brain, elevating blood pressure for shock, prostration syndrome, drop of blood pressure, heatstroke, etc. It has specific therapeutic effects on nausea and vomiting as well. The commonly-used moxibustion methods include moxibustion with ginger and direct moxibustion with the moxa cone. More information about diseases, click here to learn Symptoms of Obesity in TCM.
10). Quchi (LI 11)
The ancients believed that Quchi (LI 11) is "an ocular moxibustion point" which can make eyes sharp, improve sight and has better therapeutic effects on ocular diseases such as palpebral inflammation and conjunctivitis. Quchi (LI 11) is also the He-Sea acupoint of the large intestine meridian. It can regulate enterogastric functions, prevent and treat intestinal diseases such as diarrhea and constipation. In addition, it also has the actions of unblocking away heat, dispelling wind, unblocking and activating meridians and collaterals, etc. as well as certain therapeutic effects on various types of inflammatory fever, common cold and arthritis of upper limbs. The commonly-used moxibustion methods include moxa roll moxibustion, direct moxibustion with the moxa cone and moxibustion with ginger. More information about diseases, click here to learn Symptoms of Obesity in TCM.
11). Zhongwan (CV 12)
Zhongwan(CV 12) is located on the abdomen and is the FrontoMu acupoint of the stomach. It can regulate gastrointestinal functions, promote digestion and absorption, thus has health care functions for discomforts of stomach, poor appetite, gastrointestinal hypofunctions, etc. The commonly-used moxibustion methods include direct moxibustion with the moxa cone, moxa roll moxibustion, moxibustion with ginger, etc.
12). Pishu (BL20)
Pishu (BL 20), the Back-Shu acupoint of the spleen, can strengthen the spleen and stomach in transportation, nourish qi and blood and promote digestion. It welt regulates digestive system and blood system. The commonly-used moxibustion methods include moxa roll moxibustion, direct moxibustion with the moxa cone and moxibustion with ginger. More information about diseases, click here to learn TCM Diagnosis for Obesity.
13). Shenshu (BL 23)
Shenshu (BL 23), the Back-Shu acupoint of the kidney, can tonify renal essence, warm and activate the kidney yang, strengthen health and the waist and delay ageing. It is the commonly-used acupoint for health care and has better therapeutic effects on diseases of genitourinary system such as impotence and seminal emission. The commonly-used moxibustion methods include moxa roll moxibustion, moxibustion with the warming needle, direct moxibustion with the moxa cone and moxibustion with ginger. More information about diseases, click here to learn Chinese Medicine Treatment for Obesity.
14). Sanyinjiao (SP6)
Sanyinjiao (SP 6), the acupoint of the spleen meridians and the crossing acupoint of the three yin meridians of the foot, can strengthen the spleen, regulate the stomach, eliminate dampness, regulate splenogastric functions and enhance digestion. It is one of the commonly-used health care acupoints for diseases of digestive system. Moreover, it links with the three yin meridians of the foot. Therefore, it can tonify the liver, kidney, qi and blood, unblock and activate meridians. The acupoint has good therapeutic effects on gynecological diseases, diseases of genitourinary system, etc. The commonly-used moxibustion methods include moxa roll moxibustion and moxibustion with the moxa cone. More information about diseases, click here to learn TCM Treatment Evaluation for Obesity.
15). Yanglingquan (GB34)
Yanglingquan (GB 34), the influential acupoint of tendons, is a commonly-used health care acupoint. It is also the He-Sea acupoint of gallbladder meridian and can regulate and improve the functions of the liver and gallbladder and promote the excretion of bile to help digestion and absorption. The acupoint has very good therapeutic effects on diseases of system of the liver and gallbladder. Besides, it is also the specific acupoint to regulate the stomach and inhibit gastric acid. The acupoint has better therapeutic effects for patients with nausea and acid regurgitation. The commonly-used moxibustion methods include moxa roll moxibustion and direct moxibustion with the moxa cone. Click here to learn Acupuncture Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction.
16). Mingmen (GV4)
Mingmen (GV 4), the gate of life, is the important acupoint to nourish the kidney, strengthen yang and preserve health. It has very good therapeutic effects on seminal emission, impotence, premature ejaculation, leukorrhea, diarrhea, cold limbs, cold of abdomen, etc. due to qi deficiency of the kidney and insufficiency of the kidney yang. The commonly-used moxibustion methods include moxa roll moxibustion, direct moxibustion with the moxa cone, moxibustion with ginger and moxibustion with the cake of Fuzi (Radix Aconiti Praeparata). Click here to learn Acupuncture Treatment for Cholesterol.
17). Hegu (LI4)
Hegu (LI 4), an important acupoint to prevent and treat diseases of the head, face and five sense organs, has good therapeutic effects on many diseases of five sense organs. It also has a very good action of relieving pain and is the first acupoint selection to treat various painful diseases. Besides, it can expel wind to relieve the exterior syndrome, disperse the lung qi and prevent common cold. The commonly-used moxibustion methods include moxa roll moxibustion, direct moxibustion with the moxa cone, moxibustion with ginger and moxibustion with garlic. Click here to learn Gall-Stone.shtml">Acupuncture Treatment for Gall Stone.
4. Commonly-used moxibustion methods for health care
1). Moxibustion methods of regulating the spleen and kidney
Acupoint selection: Zusanli (ST 36), Pishu (BL 20), Weishu (BL 21), Zhongwan (CV 12) and Tianshu (ST 25). The commonly-used moxibustion methods include moxa roll moxibustion and moxibustion with ginger. One to two acupoints are selected each time for alternate use.
2). Moxibustion methods of preventing common cold
Acupoint selection: Fengmen (BL 12), Feishu (BL 13), Dazhui (GV 14), Hegu (LI 4), Zusanli (ST 36) and Danzhong (CV 17). The commonly-used moxibustion methods include moxa roll moxibustion, moxibustion with the mild moxibustion instrument, direct moxibustion with the moxa cone, crude herb moxibustion and electrothermal moxibustion. Click here to learn Epilepsy.shtml">Acupuncture Treatment for Epilepsy.
3). Moxibustion methods of nourishing the heart to calm the mind
Acupoint selection: Neiguan (PC 6), Xinshu (BL 15), Shenmen (HT 7), Zusanli (ST 36), Danzhong (CV 17) and Juque (CV 14). The commonly-used moxibustion methods include suspended moxibustion with the moxa stick, direct moxibustion with the moxa cone, moxibustion with the mild moxibustion instrument and moxa cone moxibustion with ginger. Click here to learn Acupuncture Treatment for ADHD.
4). Moxibustion methods of regulating emotions
Acupoint selection: Yanglingquan (GB 34), Zhangmen (LR 13), Qimen (LR 14), Ganshu (BL 18), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Zhigou (TE 6) and Danzhong (CV 17). The commonly-used moxibustion methods include moxa roll moxibustion and direct moxibustion with the moxa cone.
5). Moxibustion methods of tonifying the brain to benefit intelligence
Acupoint selection: Baihui (GV 20), Taiyang (EX-HN 5), Fengchi (GB 20), Fengfu (GV 16) and Dazhui (GV 14); the adjunct acupoints of Hegu (LI 4) and Zusanli (ST 36). The moxibustion methods include moxa roll moxibustion, direct moxibustion with the moxa cone and electrothermal moxibustion. Click here to learn Acupuncture Treatment for Hypertension.
6). Moxibustion methods of tonifying the kidney and strengthening the body
Acupoint selection: Shenshu (BL 23), Taixi (KI 3), Mingmen (GV 4), Guanyuan (CV 4), Yongquan (KI 1), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Gaohuang (BL 43) and Guanyuanshu (BL 26). The moxibustion methods include moxa roll moxibustion, direct moxibustion with the moxa cone, moxibustion with ginger, moxibustion with salt and moxibustion with Fuzi (Radix Aconiti Praeparata) cake.
7). Moxibustion methods of infantile health care
Shenzhu (GV 12) and Tianshu (ST 25) are selected to strengthen the body and preserve health; Zhongwan (CV 12), Pishu (BL 20), Shenque (CV 8) and Tianshu (ST 25) are selected to strengthen the spleen and regulate the stomach; Fengmen (BL 12), Feishu (BL13), Shenzhu (GV 12), Dazhui (GV 14) and Gaohuang (BL 43) are selected to tonify the lung and supplement qi; Dazhui (GV 14), Shenzhu (GV 12) and Gaohuang (BL 43) are selected to tonify the brain and benefit intelligence. The moxibustion methods include moxa roll moxibustion, direct moxibustion with the moxa cone, moxibustion with ginger, moxibustion with garlic and moxibustion with scallion stalk. Click here to learn Acupuncture Lowers High Blood Pressure.
8). Moxibustion methods of health care for young people
Acupoint selection: Guanyuan (GV 4), Shenshu (BL 23) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6). For the patients with weak physique and susceptibility to common cold, Fengmen (BL 12) and Feishu (BL 13) are added. The moxibustion methods include moxa roll moxibustion, direct moxibustion with the moxa cone, moxibustion with the mild moxibustion instrument and moxibustion with garlic. Click here to learn Sweating Syndrome in TCM.
9). Moxibustion methods of health care for middle-aged and old people
Acupoint selection: Zusanli (ST 36), Qihai (CV 6), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Shenshu (BL 23) and Guanyuan (GV 4). The moxibustion methods include moxa roll moxibustion, moxibustion with the mild moxibustion instrument and moxa cone moxibustion with ginger. Click here to learn Causes of Sweating Syndrome in TCM.