How long has been Moxibustion practised in TCM

Condition analysis:
Moxibustion, a Chinese traditional medicine that combines heat with the application of moxa, (commonly known as Mugwort) has a history that is almost as convoluted as the therapy itself. While the origins of many traditional medicines cannot be pinpointed to specific dates and times, there are some references to the practice throughout the years. Understanding the historical timeline of this relatively unknown (outside of Asia) therapy is important for grasping the concepts of moxibustion.

The origins of moxibustion may go hand in hand with the beginning of technology itself. Some references place the practice as far back as the 16th century BCE, during the Shang Dynasty. This is the same period credited with the development of a lunar calendar, convex mirror, and basic calculation. There are, however, no official records of moxibustion, although it is believed to have occurred during this period because, by the end of this dynasty, there are records of it being used.

Early forms of moxibustion are based on the belief that the body needed to be directly heated in specific places in order to heal.  It isn’t too hard to recognize the effects of the seasons on the body, and in northern (present-day) China they were well aware of the good feelings that come from warmth.  They combined this general knowledge with the current Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) terms of meridian points, Qi, Blood and concept of Yin and Yang to create a therapy that counteracted the effects of cold.

For the next thousand years, Chinese medicine practitioners created various methods of applying moxibustion, all using a direct application of the moxa and heat to the skin. It wasn’t until the Han Dynasty (206-220AD) that a reference to the safer indirect moxibustion method of implementation was discussed.

Instructions:
Direct Moxibustion
In direct moxibustion, a small amount of moxa is shaped into a cone or rice grain shape and placed on top of an acupuncture point and burned. In modern moxibustion, the moxa is placed on the point and lit, but is extinguished or removed before it burns the skin. The patient will experience a pleasant heating sensation that penetrates deep into the skin, but should not experience any pain.

Indirect Moxibustion
In indirect moxibustion, a moxa stick, roughly the shape and size of a cigar, is burned near the acupuncture meridians or over specific areas of pain or injury.  Another form of indirect moxibustion is performed by wrapping the handle of an acupuncture needle with moxa and burning it, which pushes the heat down into the point directly.

In either case, the purpose of moxibustion is to use the heat to stimulate the flow of Qi and blood to improve circulation, enhance acupuncture treatments, and create other healing effects in the body.