mox·i·bus·tion

Moxibustion, or Moxa Therapy, is burning the dried herb Mugwort to warm acupuncture points, increase circulation of blood and qi flow and dispel certain pathogenic influences. Moxa is usually made from the dried leafy material of Chinese mugwort (Artemesia argyi or A. vlugaris). Practitioners generally hold a burning moxa stick close to, but not touching, the surface of the skin or touching the acupuncture needle in order to create a warming sensation.

Moxa expels cold from the body and is effective for chronic/acute pain, digestive issues and female health problems such as menstrual cramps and infertility. By using moxa on specific acupuncture points it can provide protection against colds and flus. There are many different types of moxa used in practice. You may see small cones, a cigar-shaped stick, or the loose herb itself placed directly on the skin or on a piece of ginger. Moxa is well known for its application to the acupuncture point called UB67 to turn a breech baby. 

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