Moxibustion1 2 PDF

Moxibustion Elective
by Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. Mugwort

zhenjiu@gmail.com
Mugwort and moxa floss
• Mugwort is the
common name for艾
• Mugwort is a common
葉 Ai Ye (Folium
weed. It grows almost
Artemisiae argyi). everywhere.
• Mugwort floss (艾絨
ai rong) is also
known as mugwort
wool, mugwort punk,
or loose moxa.
© 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 3 © 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 4
What you see here is California Chinese mugwort looks a bit different, but the
mugwort (Artemisia douglasiana) local version makes floss just fine.
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This is Artemisia argyii, the preferred The leaves are green on top but
source, but A. vulgaris is also used. have white fur on the bottom.
It has a fragrant odor that is easy The Best Dates for

to recognize once you know it. Harvesting Mugwort
• Traditionally, mugwort was picked on the third
day of the third lunar month or the fifth day of the
fifth lunar month and then dried in the sun.
Third day of Fifth day of
Year third lunar month fifth lunar month
2011 April 5 June 6
2012 March 24 June 23
2013 April 12 June 13
2014 April 2 June 2
© 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 9
2015 April 21 June 20
Mugwort in April in Malibu (around Mugwort in June in Malibu (around

the 3rd day of the 3rd lunar month) the 5th day of the 5th lunar month)
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Harvesting mugwort
• Besides being the
Once mugwort right time to get the
starts to make leaves (before the
plant starts to flower),
flowers or seeds, this is the time of the
it is too late to year when yang is
increasing or near its
pick for floss. peak within the
universe. So mugwort
picked at this time
retains more yang qi.
Traditionally mugwort was

picked on the fifth day of
the fifth lunar month (端午 Making Floss
節 Duan Wu Festival) and
hung over the door to
protect the house from
toxic things such as snakes
and scorpions.
By the way, California mugwort is

Making floss sometimes called ‘dream sage.’
• After harvesting
• Native Americans used it
the mugwort, strip
the leaves off the to promote vivid dreams
stalks and dry and sometimes even lucid
them in the sun, dreaming. The dreams are
or hang the stalks usually peaceful.
upside down • If you hang the mugwort to
while the leaves dry in your bedroom, you
dry, probably for a
may be pleasantly
couple of weeks.
surprised!
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Once dry, remove the leaves from the
stems. You can store the leaves for later.
To make floss, grind the leaves.
• Use a rough mortar

and pestle.
• A Mexican
molcajete works
very well.
• It helps to pick out
the stems and large
veins before
grinding.
In the first
grinding, the
leaves are
broken up.
Pick out any

stems.
Use a sieve.
• Put the floss in a

sieve. Rub it
against the sides.
• Discard the powder
that comes out the
bottom.
• Pick out any sticks
or foreign matter.
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Look at the fine fibers at the edge
of the leaf. That is what we want.
The rest needs to be removed.
Repeatedly grind it and sieve it This is a dusty job, so you might

until it is the quality you want. want to wear a mask if you do a lot.
You can also use an electric herb

Still needs more work
grinder to make more faster.
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Aging the floss Aging the floss
1 year
• Floss should be aged
old
for three years, not
sometimes placing it in aged 2 year
the sun. old Recently
• Floss looks green when made
freshly made.
• It will turn golden or aged
brown as it ages, in
depending on the quality. sun
New versus Old Storage

• Floss should be stored
inside a dry container.
• Periodically, perhaps
shortly before it is used,
you can dry it in the
sun or bake it in the
oven at a low
temperature. This is
especially important if
you live where there is
high humidity.
Note: Why would anyone want to

pick mugwort and make floss?
• Not to save money on moxa supplies!
• We are so out of touch with nature (heaven
and earth). This is a good excuse to get out Quality of Moxa Floss
of the city and follow a stream.
• This is an activity that doctors have done for
thousands of years. It is a way of connecting
with our predecessors.
• I live in my head way too much and working
with my hands takes me back to my heart.
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Here is some
homemade
floss from
California
mugwort.
You can see
sticks and
dark spots,
so it still
needs more
work.
Here is a batch of homemade floss, fairly Homemade

good quality (but still needs more aging) floss
The lighter color, softer, and cleaner

it is, the better the quality.
1 low quality
commercial
floss
2 high quality
commercial
floss
3 homemade
floss, not
yet aged
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Quality of Moxa Floss
Good quality floss Poor quality floss
Yellow, pale Greenish-brown, dark
Soft, fine texture Coarse texture
No pieces of twigs Has impurities
Cones hold together Cannot make small cones
Spongy Not springy
500 g of leaves makes 500 g of leaves makes 300-
100-150 g of floss 350 g of floss
Low quality floss on the left, High quality floss is used for
high quality on the right direct moxibustion.
(both are store-bought)
Note the color and texture differences.

Note the dust underneath the poor quality floss.
Why is high grade floss reserved

High quality floss
for direct moxibustion?
• High quality floss holds
together as grain-of-rice size
cones or smaller. It makes
much less smoke and smells
pleasant. Its heat is less ‘fierce’
so it will not damage the flesh.
• High grade floss is pure fiber
without any leaf matter, twigs,
or excessive amounts of
volatile oils. This makes its fire
more mellow.
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High Quality Floss
Lower quality
floss is still
• Ultra Pure Gold floss
from Japan (on the
useful. It
left) is considered the is used for
best. indirect
• High quality Korean
floss (on the right) is moxibustion
almost as good and is or in
a third of the price.
moxa sticks.
However, I suggest avoiding the lowest quality

Low quality floss floss as it is more smoky, smell, and ‘fierce.’
Low quality floss can be Modern commercial production

improved of floss
• If you buy low quality
floss for indirect • In modern times machines
are used to grind the
moxibustion, you can
leaves and sift off the
still improve it some residue.
by using the sieve. • We still want to remove all
The more dust you stems and leaf matter (the
get off it, the less green parts of the leaf)
smoke and smell it and retain the fine white
will make. fibers from the leaf.
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Leaves to floss ratio 黃金艾絨 gold moxa floss
• The quality is determined in large • Floss with a 30/1 ratio
part by the ratio of dried leaves to is called gold moxa
floss obtained from it.
floss (黃金艾絨).
– A 3/1 ratio means three grams of
leaves are processed for every gram • High quality mugwort
of floss obtained. floss like this
– The higher the ratio, the better the
quality. undergoes several
– Commercial floss may have a 3/1, weeks of being
5/1, 12/1, or 30/1 ratio. ground, cleaned with
• Unfortunately, this ratio is not a sieve, and dried in
written on the package when you the sun, perhaps a
buy floss. few dozen times.
Quality of moxa sticks Aging

• Mugwort to be used in herbal
• Moxa sticks are also judged by the
formulas has different standards
quality of floss inside them. There
is ordinary grade, grade A, high than mugwort floss.
grade, ultimate grade, and so forth. • Ming and Qing dynasty books often
• The ordinary grade is basically 1/1 wrote: 煎服宜鮮，灸火宜陳。
(one unit of leaves makes one unit “Fresh is suitable to be decocted
of floss – just the broken up for internal use; aged is suitable for
mugwort leaf with nothing sifted
off). There are twigs and all kinds
moxibustion fire.”
of coarse materials inside these
moxa sticks.
Aging Aging
• Mengzi (Zhou) said: “A • Floss needs to be aged for some time so that
excessive volatile oil content can evaporate. As
disease of seven years it ages, the floss color changes from green to
needs three-year-old gold (high quality floss) or greenish-brown to
mugwort.” brown (low quality floss).
• Li Shizhen (Ming) said
“Moxibustion with fresh
mugwort floss damages a
person’s flesh and vessels.”
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Before we talk about moxibustion...
Week 2 • ... we need to begin
making 紫雲膏 Zi Yun
Zi Yun Gao, Gao because it takes a
Clinical Overview long time.
• We are making Zi Yun
Gao so we can use it in
Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. direct moxibustion.
zhenjiu@gmail.com • I will tell you the details
soon, but let’s start
cooking it first.
Purple Cloud Ointment

(紫雲膏 Zi Yun Gao, 紫雲膏 Zi Yun Gao
Shiunko in Japanese)
Purple Cloud Ointment
• An ointment made • The original recipe was

with called Flesh Moistening
• sesame oil and Ointment (Run Ji Gao),
beeswax from 陳實功《外科正
宗·潤肌膏》 Correct
Model of External
Medicine by Chen
Shigong (Ming dynasty)
紫雲膏 Zi Yun Gao 紫雲膏 Zi Yun Gao

(Purple Cloud Ointment) (Purple Cloud Ointment)
1 liter 麻油 Sesame oil
100 grams 紫草 Zi Cao (Zi Gen) (紅條紫草 or 紫根)
• Heat the oil and wax to
100 grams 當歸 Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) 120°C.
300 grams 黃蠟 Beeswax • Simmer the Dang Gui
until it floats.
• If you make this for yourself, you can make a
• Remove it with a
half recipe.
slotted spoon.
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• Let the heat rise to
142°C.
• When the • When the Zi Cao stops
temperature is 142°, foaming (maybe 10
turn off the heat and minutes), remove the big
add the Zi Cao. The pieces of Zi Cao and
oil will immediately strain it through a cloth.
turn quite red.
紫雲膏 Zi Yun Gao Stirring gives you

(Purple Cloud Ointment) the proper texture
• As it cools, stir it to make it the • Making this type of

proper texture. If not, it becomes ointment is like making
hard like a candle. ice cream – you have
to stir it if you want the
• When it is very thick like honey
soft texture. Otherwise
or yogurt, pour it into small
the ice cream would
containers. Let it cool.
freeze into a solid
block.

Functions: moistens the skin, stops itching, Functions: For direct moxibustion, it is used to
engenders flesh, kills fungus, reduces inflammation, help stick cones on the point, aid in healing,
stops pain, and helps close open sores. and prevent scars.
Uses: burns, bleeding hemorrhoids, dry skin, wrinkles,
ulcers, eczema, tinea, calluses, corns, acne, cold
sores, frostbite, alopecia, external injuries, itchy
bug bites, and various skin problems.
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What is moxibustion?
enduring 久
fire 火
灸 moxibustion
Clinical Overview and Safety
灸法 jiu fa moxibustion
針灸 zhen jiu acupuncture-moxibustion
© 2010 Lorraine Wilcox 74

zhenjiu@gmail.com
What is moxibustion? What is moxibustion?

• The broader definition:
Moxibustion is an external heat
• The narrow definition: therapy applied on or over an
Moxibustion is the medical acumoxa point or an affected
site.
application of burning
• Mugwort or other combustible
mugwort floss on or over
materials may be used.
an acumoxa point or an Mulberry twigs (Sang Zhi,
affected site. Ramulus Mori), peach twigs
(Tao Zhi, Ramulus Persicae),
Deng Xin Cao (Medulla Junci),
and even incense may be
burned as moxibustion.
© 2010 Lorraine Wilcox 75 © 2010 Lorraine Wilcox 76
zhenjiu@gmail.com zhenjiu@gmail.com
What is moxibustion? What is moxibustion?
• Some moxibustion doesn’t Moxibustion Summary

even use fire. You can use Burning Burning other The use of other
chemically-induced heat to mugwort medicinals medicinals without fire
warm the points.
• Example: the external
application of a warm-
natured medicinal such as
garlic. This is called
heavenly moxibustion or
medicinal application
moxibustion.
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Advantages of moxibustion Advantages of moxibustion
5. In some cases, moxibustion is more
1. Cost-effective and fairly convenient to perform. effective than other modalities:
2. Variety of application methods and functions. – Can be used when the patient is too weak for
3. A fully developed system with its own theories, acupuncture or medicinal formulas cannot be
scope of practice, methods for supplementation digested.
and draining, contraindications, and a long – In acute conditions, moxibustion provides
record of clinical experience. quicker results than internally administered
formulas.
4. Effectively treats many diseases. Modern
research and clinical experience confirm this. – There are also some conditions that respond
better to moxibustion than to acupuncture or
medicinals.
Disadvantages of moxibustion Functions of Moxibustion

1. Time-consuming and requires stocking various Warms whatever is cold Moxibustion is yang so it
substances. counters yin evils
Transforms dampness
2. Smoke and ash: smoke alarms, odor, messy,
etc. Warms the channels and frees the
3. Risk of fire and burns. Some malpractice network vessels
insurance policies do not allow direct Moxibustion is yang so it
Moves qi, quickens the blood, stops
moxibustion. moves qi and blood.
pain
4. Possible the toxicity of the fumes when certain This also stops pain.
powdered medicinals are burned. Example: 雄黃 Disperses blood stasis, resolves qi
Xiong Huang (Realgar). depression
Functions of Moxibustion Functions of Moxibustion

Regulates and contains the Commonly used for
Supplements the center, boosts post-heaven qi
thoroughfare (chong) and gynecology because of its
Supplements qi, nourishes blood conception (ren) vessels functions (moving blood,
Warms yang, supplements qi and yang Moxibustion nourishing blood, dispersing
Returns yang, stems desertion supplements qi, Repositions the fetus cold, etc.)
Upbears yang, lifts the fallen blood, and yang.
Prevents disease, safeguards health,
strengthens the body, boosts longevity
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Functions of Moxibustion Functions of Moxibustion
Nourishes yin
If the right points and Hand technique
Downbears counterflow, techniques are chosen, can be
descends qi used to descend qi and nourish plus
Levels (or calms) the liver, yin... but these functions are point selection
subdues yang, extinguishes wind somewhat controversial.
defines
Expels evils from the body Can be used to radiate evils
Clears heat, resolves toxins outward, including heat evils. which function is
activated.
Direct (left) and Indirect (right)

Overview of techniques
Moxibustion
Mugwort Moxibustion
Direct Non-marking or
Mugwort moxibustion marking moxibustion
cone Using various
moxibustion Indirect substances to isolate
moxibustion
the cones
Pressing (left) and

Mugwort Moxibustion
Suspended (right) Moxibustion
Pure Suspended moxibustion:
techniques such as
mugwort
wandering, sparrow-
Mugwort stick pecking, circling, gentle
moxibustion Both moxibustion, etc.
stick
have
moxibustion Moxa sticks Pressing moxibustion
with other
medicinals Isolating substance
added moxibustion
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Mugwort Moxibustion Mugwort Moxibustion
Warm-needle Using moxa floss, slices of Mugwort cake Using ironing, sunlight, hot-
Moxibustion moxa roll, moxa caps, etc. moxibustion water bottles, or heat lamps
Mugwort Moxibustion Mugwort Moxibustion

Mugwort-fuming and Using smoke or steam
Warming device Using a warming cylinder,
steaming moxibustion to treat an area
moxibustion moxa box, etc.
Mugwort Moxibustion Non-mugwort Moxibustion

Liquid moxa, self-heating Moxibustion by Peach or mulberry stick, Deng Xin
Modern methods cones, point plasters, and burning Cao (Medulla Junci) moxibustion,
other modern innovations medicinals and other types
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Non-mugwort Moxibustion Non-mugwort Moxibustion
Electrical heat moxibustion
Heavenly Electrical moxibustion Electrical warm-needle
moxibustion moxibustion
Moxibustion (blistering)
without
burning Medicinal
medicinals application
moxibustion
(non-blistering)
Related External Heat Therapies Clinical overview

Placing medicinals on the body and using a hot iron to press
Ironing them. • The treatment room
Fuming
Burning mugwort or other medicinals and holding the affected should have good
part in the smoke.
ventilation but not be
Medicinals, often mugwort, are boiled in a liquid. The affected
Steaming region is held in the steam.
drafty or cold.
All of these methods begin with a decoction. • Have the equipment
Washes, • Wash: the decoction is applied to the affected region with a ready: moxa supplies,
soaks, cloth or the liquid is poured over the site. lighter, ash tray; but also
• The affected part is immersed in a soak.
or • The whole body is immersed in a bath.
fire extinguisher, first aid
baths Often a steaming liquid is used as a wash, soak, or bath when it is kit, etc.
cool enough. • Position the patient
Roasting Medicinals are applied to a site, then heated near a heat source. comfortably.
© 2010 Lorraine Wilcox 99 © 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 100
zhenjiu@gmail.com
Apply Moxibustion to Yang First

Clinical overview
and Yin Second
• How will you put out the Yang First Yin Second
fire? Be prepared.
• Be ready to remove the
Upper body Lower Body
moxa from patient. Don’t Head and trunk Limbs
leave patient alone. Do
you need tweezers, moxa Yang channels Yin channels
scoop, etc.?
Back Front
• Moxa ash can cause burns
and is messy if not Left side Right Side
properly managed.
• Avoid burns on the patient, Also
yourself, counters, and First less Later more
treatment tables.
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Dosage Dosage
• Moxibustion must be strong
enough to be effective. Appropriate Dosage
Dosage is Determined By
Moxibustion is generally given in is based on
weaker doses in the west than in Condition of the patient
China: it is given less frequently Number of cones
and with less intensity. Constitution of the patient
• A treatment with moxibustion uses Size of the cones
fewer points than an acupuncture Age of the patient
treatment. It is better to give Duration (course) of treatment
adequate treatment to a few points Site or point to be treated
than to give inadequate treatment Frequency of treatment
to many points. Philosophy of the doctor
Low dose for yang areas;

Dosage Dosage high dose for yin areas of the body.
Half the dose Double the dose Range Location Exceptions
Very old or very Low Head, face More on Bai Hui (Du 20)
Standard dose Strong patient or dose
young patient, Arms -
serious disease Chest, upper
emaciated, weak Less on Ju Que (Ren 14) and Jiu Wei (Ren 15)
abdomen
• Moxibustion for 養生 nourishing life usually uses a lower Less on Xin Shu (UB 15)
dose per session with frequent sessions over a long Upper back
period of time. More on Gao Huang (UB 43)
• Moxibustion to treat disease usually uses a higher dose Bony areas -
per session and treatment should be ceased as soon as Fleshy areas -
the patient recovers.
Legs More on Zu San Li (ST 36)
• More moxibustion is given in the autumn and winter than
in the spring and summer: as yang increases in the More on Shen Que (Ren 8), Qi Hai (Ren 6),
Lower abdomen
universe, less yang is needed in treatment. High and Guan Yuan (Ren 4)
© 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 105 dose Low back Less
© 2010 on Ming
Lorraine Wilcox Men
L.Ac. (Du 4) 106
Number of Cones Number of Cones

• Generally, when • The effect of moxibustion
treatment is cumulative, so
cones are used, the treatment may be spread out into
ancient books sessions.
would specify an • If a low number of cones is
odd (yang) number suggested, such as 3, 5, or 7
if the count was less cones, this probably means to give
than 10, such as 1, this treatment every day until the
3, 5, or 7 cones. patient is better.
• When a formula says 100 or 300
cones, do it all in one day or
spread it out over a few
consecutive days.
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Moxa Sensation After Treatment
• Wipe ash, moxa tar, and/or
• Like needling sensation or de qi (得氣) with ointment off the point.
acupuncture, there is also “moxa sensation.” • Moxa tar sometimes
appears as a yellowish-
brown oily film around the
In an effective treatment, the patient experiences a reaction point. Since studies show
moxa tar has beneficial
(one or more of these): qualities, don’t be in a
Hot qi moving through the channel hurry to clean it off.
• Do not use alcohol as this
Hands and feet feel warm is cold and will counteract
Feeling of heat throughout the body the treatment.
Tip of the nose sweats • If you want to clean it
further, use warm water.
Lips turn red
After Treatment Self-care after moxibustion

• You may choose to apply an ointment Do Don’t
afterwards. Immediately rest for a while Engage in sex for 24 hours
without eating or drinking
• Keep the area that received treatment (besides water) Get stressed or upset for 24 hours
covered up so the mugwort qi and warmth Eat a simple bland diet for Participate in sports or intense
do not escape. some days activity
Eat cold or damp foods
This table assumes a high
Overeat or get too hungry
dose of moxibustion.
Allow exposure to wind
Moxa Sores Moxa Sores

• According to past masters, moxa sores are
necessary for effective treatment. This is when
moxibustion causes a blister followed by a sore.
• Since a moxa sore takes a while to heal, one
treatment gives continuous stimulation for an
extended period of time.
• Compared to a patient that gets a weekly
treatment which only results in redness and
warmth, there is obviously a big difference in the
dosage.
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Practical considerations when
Moxa Sores
making moxa sores
• 楊繼洲《針灸大成》 Zhen Jiu Da Cheng (Ming): • Proper written informed consent.
“If the moxa sore-opening closes easily, the
disease qi is unable to exit.” • Be sure your malpractice insurance
• For repletion evils, moxa sores create an
opening through which the evil qi can be covers it.
expelled. This is like opening the pores to expel • Others could incorrectly attribute
wind evils from the exterior. Sweating affects the
most superficial layers, but moxa sores open moxa sores to abuse, so educate the
into the channel system. So this method can
expel evils from deeper in the body. family.
• Moxibustion is also used on an affected site
such as an abscess. In that case, it directly lets
the evil qi exit.
Practical considerations when Practical considerations when

making moxa sores making moxa sores
Do not make moxa sores on • If you are new to this, first practice on yourself.
– Try Zu San Li (ST 36), Qi Hai (Ren 6), or Guan Yuan (Ren 4).
• people with compromised immune systems – This builds technical skills
• diabetics – This helps you understand what the patient experiences.
– You receive immediate feedback, helping refine your technique.
• people who cannot keep the region clean • Moxa sores often show up some hours after treatment. If
• people who form keloid scars you try to make them appear during treatment, you will
over-do it.
• the face or areas that would disfigure the • Use more small cones, not few large cones. The clinical
patient results will be the same but the patient will suffer less.
• the soles of the feet: walking would be
painful.
Practical considerations when Practical considerations when

making moxa sores making moxa sores
• You can give one treatment using many small • Gradually increase the intensity of treatment to
cones, or use a somewhat milder treatment for help the patient tolerate it more easily. Burn the
2-3 days in a row. The latter will be less painful first cone half way and the second cone two-
for the patient but can still make moxa sores.
thirds of the way down. Then the third cone can
• With moxa sores, the dosage is already fairly burn all the way down with less discomfort (if it is
high so use only 1-2 points (bilaterally). This is a not too big). This is based on “first use less and
potent treatment and will not need repeating
more than approximately once per month (you later use more moxibustion.”
could use acupuncture or herbs in between). • Generally, blisters do not need bandaging
Once a blister has formed, no more moxibustion unless they are in an area that will easily get
is needed until the site has healed. dirty or will be rubbed by clothing.
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Practical considerations when
Moxibustion & safety
making moxa sores 1. Burns - Unintentional burns should never happen.
• Inform the patient about proper after-care.
Perhaps give written instructions. The patient Be especially careful or avoid moxibustion on:
must keep the area clean and should not break • People who cannot report what they feel: comas, dementia, or
the blisters. Leave them to heal naturally unless
they are extremely large. If large, you can open otherwise impaired consciousness, small children, people with
them with a sterile needle. Then apply antiseptic reduced sensitivity (numbness or neuropathy).
and bandage them. • People with immune disorders that make the healing of sores
• Follow up on the patient to be sure that infection difficult: immunosuppressant drugs, advanced HIV disease.
does not develop. If the sore begins to look
infected (more redness, swelling, and pus), • People with certain bleeding disorders (occasionally a burn or
apply an antibiotic ointment and bandage it. sore may bleed).
Burns Burns
Do not use moxibustion on the extremities of patients with Don’t let hot ash drop on the patient. Frequently remove ash from
diabetes as they may have less sensation due to neuropathy moxa sticks or incense. For warm-needle, place a skin shield at
and also have a harder time recovering from infections. the base.
Be sure the patient knows to report their sensations during Always have a plan for extinguishing the moxa before it is lit and
treatment. Frequently glance at the patent’s face or notice if have the proper equipment nearby.
their body is tense.
Make sure all materials are completely extinguished before you
Often touch and look at the skin around the site to monitor skin leave the treatment room. Be careful that nothing burning is
temperature. thrown in the trash. One ember can burn down a clinic.
Remember, blisters often do not show up for some hours after
treatment.
• First Aid: standard for burns or infection.
Moxibustion & safety Moxibustion & safety

2. Smoke: Inhaling any kind of
smoke, including moxa smoke, 3. Preventing fire
is harmful. • Always have a fire
• Moxa rolls containing other extinguisher nearby.
medicinals such as 雄黃 Xiong • Smoke alarms should
Huang (Realgar) are especially never be disconnected.
harmful. Xiong Huang contains • Do not leave a patient
arsenic sulphide. Other who is receiving
medicinals may also be unsafe. moxibustion unattended.
• Have adequate ventilation.
Maybe use an air purifier or a
smoke-eater. →
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Moxibustion & safety Moxibustion & safety
4. Side effects of an unbalanced or improper treatment
• Have on hand the proper and other prohibitions
equipment for extinguishing • Too much moxibustion, especially on the upper body can
the moxa. Always have a cause agitation and restlessness: heat agitates the spirit
plan for extinguishing the which resides in the heart.
moxa before it is lit. • If a patient has heat, dryness, or yin vacuity, improper
• Make sure all materials are use of moxibustion can make it worse. That is why some
completely extinguished doctors prohibit moxibustion in these cases.
before you leave the room. – However, other doctors believe that, when the proper techniques
are used, these prohibitions are unnecessary. If care is taken to
descend and circulate heat or to radiate it out of the body,
moxibustion will not cause harm. Combined with a diet that
provides the raw materials to increase yin, moxibustion can help
the body nourish yin.
Side effects of an unbalanced or improper Side effects of an unbalanced or improper

treatment and other prohibitions treatment and other prohibitions
• Some patients are thirsty after receiving Formula to engender fluids after excessive
moxibustion. Let them drink. moxibustion
• If the patient has heat (dry mouth, thirst, feels Decoct 15 grams each of:
feverish, dark urine, constipation, etc.) after
moxibustion, give them a decoction to engender 生地黃 Sheng Di Huang (uncooked Radix Rehmanniae)
fluids (see below).
麥門冬 Mai Men Dong (Tuber Ophiopogonis)
• Next time, use less moxibustion, focus more on
the lower body, and make sure there is enough 玄參 Xuan Shen (Radix Scrophulariae)
time between treatments.
肉蓯蓉 Rou Cong Rong (Herba Cistanches)
Formula to engender fluids after Side effects of an unbalanced or improper

excessive moxibustion treatment and other prohibitions
• If the patient is fearful or the treatment strong,

explain the procedure and obtain consent. If the
patient is overly frightened, moxibustion may not
be the best modality.
• If the patient is extremely weak, acupuncture is
forbidden but moxibustion may be applied to the
dan tian region or Zu San Li (ST 36).
• A woman with profuse menstrual bleeding
should not be given moxibustion except to stop
bleeding.
• Be extremely careful when using moxibustion on
pregnant women.
22
Side effects of an unbalanced or improper Side effects of an unbalanced or improper
treatment and other prohibitions treatment and other prohibitions
Fainting can be caused by an excessive fear or a Fainting

treatment that is too strong. • If a patient starts to faint, the procedures are the same
• Other causes include extreme hunger or as for fainting during acupuncture.
weakness. • Stop the treatment immediately. Make sure the patient
• If the patient is weak, the cones should be small. does not fall. Help him or her lie down and elevate the
feet, placing the head in a lower position.
• Do not use too many points; 2-5 bilaterally is
usually enough. • You can apply pressure to Ren Zhong (Du 26) if the
patient does not revive immediately.
• Symptoms of fainting include dizziness, blurred
• When the patient comes to, he or she can sip warm tea.
vision, nausea, pale face, thin pulse, cold hands,
low blood pressure, difficulty speaking, • If fainting is due to weakness or hunger, apply gentle
palpitations, sweating, and impaired moxibustion to Zu San Li (ST36), but do not do this if the
consciousness. cause was fear or an overly strong treatment.
Moxibustion & safety www.bluepoppy.com

5. Legal liability
• Check your malpractice insurance.
• Make sure your consent form covers your
use of moxibustion.
My Books and Facebook Page Suppliers

Moxibustion: the History, translation of
Blue Poppy Press My books, moxa
Power of Mugwort Ming writings on Blue
http://bluepoppy.com/ http://bluepoppy.com/ supplies, burn
Fire moxibustion
Poppy
Moxibustion: A ointment
Blue Poppy Press Practical guide to using
Modern Clinical KM Korean moxa
http://bluepoppy.com/ moxibustion http://www.kmsupplies.com/
Handbook
Supplies supplies
My Facebook group Korean moxa
Moxibustion: the K.S. Choi http://www.goacuzone.com/
with lots of photos and
Power of Mugwort Facebook Group supplies
information on
Fire
moxibustion Moxa supplies,
Lhasa-
http://lhasaoms.com/ generally more
Zhen Jiu Da Cheng,
Chinese Medicine
Translation. Volume 9
OMS
Database expensive
Volumes 5 and 9 coming in 2011.
www.cm-db.org CAI http://www.caicorporation.com/ Moxa supplies
23
Suppliers Good Works
Japanese style;
Shiunko (Zi Yun Moxafrica is a
Kenshin http://kenshin.com/
Gao), moxa charitable
supplies organization set up
Mulberry paper to investigate the use
Moxafrica http://www.moxafrica.org/
Hiromi Paper http://www.hiromipaper.com for making moxa of moxibustion for
sticks the treatment of
tuberculosis,
especially in Africa.
© 2010 Lorraine Wilcox 139 © 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 140

zhenjiu@gmail.com
24

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Moxibustion Elective

by Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. Mugwort

Mugwort and moxa floss

© 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 5 © 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 6

© 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 7 © 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 8

It has a fragrant odor that is easy The Best Dates for

Mugwort in April in Malibu (around Mugwort in June in Malibu (around

© 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 11 © 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 12

Traditionally mugwort was

© 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 15

By the way, California mugwort is

© 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 17 © 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 18

• Use a rough mortar

Pick out any

© 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 21 © 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 22

• Put the floss in a

© 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 25 © 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 26

Repeatedly grind it and sieve it This is a dusty job, so you might

© 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 27 © 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 28

You can also use an electric herb

© 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 29 © 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 30

© 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 31 © 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 32

New versus Old Storage

Note: Why would anyone want to

© 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 37 © 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 38

Here is a batch of homemade floss, fairly Homemade

© 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 39 © 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 40

The lighter color, softer, and cleaner

© 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 41 © 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 42

Note the color and texture differences.

Why is high grade floss reserved

However, I suggest avoiding the lowest quality

© 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 51 © 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 52

Low quality floss can be Modern commercial production

© 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 53 © 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 54

Quality of moxa sticks Aging

© 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 57 © 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 58

© 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 59 © 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 60

© 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 62

Purple Cloud Ointment

• An ointment made • The original recipe was

© 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 63 © 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 64

紫雲膏 Zi Yun Gao 紫雲膏 Zi Yun Gao

© 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 65 © 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 66

© 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 67 © 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 68

紫雲膏 Zi Yun Gao Stirring gives you

• As it cools, stir it to make it the • Making this type of

© 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 69 © 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 70

紫雲膏 Zi Yun Gao 紫雲膏 Zi Yun Gao

© 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 71 © 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 72

針灸 zhen jiu acupuncture-moxibustion

© 2010 Lorraine Wilcox 74

What is moxibustion? What is moxibustion?

What is moxibustion? What is moxibustion?

• Some moxibustion doesn’t Moxibustion Summary

Disadvantages of moxibustion Functions of Moxibustion

© 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 81 © 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 82

Functions of Moxibustion Functions of Moxibustion

© 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 83 © 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 84

© 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 85 © 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 86

Direct (left) and Indirect (right)

© 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 87 © 2010 Lorraine Wilcox L.Ac. 88

Pressing (left) and