Remember that every year during the Dragon Boat Festival in May, people would hang mugwort bundles on their doors, saying it wards off evil spirits.For instance, during summer when mosquitoes swarm relentlessly, keeping us awake at night, lighting an artemisia stick and fumigating the home repels these pests. Doctors also frequently mention the medicinal value of artemisia sticks, commonly using them for moxibustion therapy to treat various ailments. Below, we explore additional benefits of artemisia sticks.
Your Moxibustion Companion
Moxa Stick: Moxa stick is formed by rolling moxa wool into a cylindrical shape. It comes in smokeless and smoky varieties, with the smoky type offering stronger efficacy and better results.Moxa sticks are more potent than moxa boxes or moxa pots, but they typically require manual suspension for treatment, testing one's arm strength. Many back acupoints remain inaccessible, and carelessness can easily lead to ash falling and causing burns. When selecting moxa sticks, opt for those aged five years or older, as their potency increases with age.
Moxibustion Cylinder: Also known as a warm cylinder or moxibustion stick, this cylindrical tool made of metal or similar materials comes in various sizes. Smaller versions can be used directly on the face. During treatment, moxa wool or moxa sticks are placed inside the cylinder, ignited, and positioned over acupoints. It can contact the skin directly with minimal risk of burns. However, its potency is slightly weaker than that of a direct moxa stick.
Moxibustion Box: Designed to hold moxa sticks, this compact device is placed over the corresponding body area after ignition. It is portable and convenient. Types include single-hole, double-hole, triple-hole, and six-hole boxes; alternatives are categorized by application area: waist, leg, back, and abdomen. Begin by lighting two holes to determine your tolerance level and avoid burns.Single-hole and double-hole boxes suit hands, feet, and head; four-hole or larger boxes are ideal for abdomen, back, and shoulders.
Moxibustion Cups: Small, round cups made of metal (usually brass). Light the moxa stick directly inside the cup, place an insulating layer (like a towel) over it, then secure the cup to the body for treatment. This eliminates ash fallout and the need to carry moxa sticks. However, compared to moxa boxes, cups offer slightly less precision in targeting acupoints and deliver weaker heat.
Moxibustion Beauty Made Simple
Banish Dark Circles: Traditional Chinese Medicine attributes dark circles to ascending deficient heat and kidney yin deficiency. Apply moxa sticks or moxa wool to the following acupoints: Shuifen (CV2), Pishu (BL20), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Zusanli (ST36), Mingmen (GV4), and Shenshu (BL23). Moxibustion for 15–30 minutes daily.
Tighten Eye Bags: TCM attributes eye bags to impaired spleen function. Moxibustion at Sanyinjiao (SP6), Guanyuan (CV4), Hegu (LI4), and Taiyang (BL1) points is recommended for 15–30 minutes daily or every other day.For sallow complexion, which stems from weak liver function, moxibustion with ginger slices over Shenque (CV8) and Zusanli (ST36) is recommended, 20–30 minutes daily or every other day.
Acne:Excessive consumption of rich, sweet foods may lead to damp-heat in the spleen and stomach, along with heat accumulation in the lung meridian. Moxibustion can be applied to the Quchi (LI11), Hegu (LI4), Zusanli (ST36), Zhongwan (CV12), and Zhongfu (LU1) points for 15–30 minutes daily.
Facial Edema: Facial swelling results from obstruction in the Triple Energizer. Moxibustion can be applied to the Xinshu (BL15), Zusanli (ST36), and Yongquan (KI1) points for 15–30 minutes daily.
Melasma: Related to deficiency in liver and kidney qi, as well as spleen-stomach damage. Moxibustion can be applied to Baihui, Yangbai, Xiaguan, and Zusanli points for 15–30 minutes daily.
Perfect Your Moxibustion Practice!
Focus Intently: If you tend to be restless, settle your mind during moxibustion. Concentrate on sensing the transmission of heat energy to fully replenish your body's positive energy.
Soak Feet with Aged Mugwort Cake: Dissolve an aged mugwort cake in boiling water, then add cool water to achieve a comfortable temperature. Soak feet in the mugwort solution for 20–30 minutes while simultaneously pressing the San Shang acupoints on both thumbs with fingernails for 3 minutes each. This warms the body, relieves fatigue, and alleviates insomnia and stress.
Align with seasonal shifts: Moxibustion yields greater efficacy when timed with seasonal transitions—such as the Spring Equinox, Autumn Equinox, Summer Solstice, or Winter Solstice—when natural yin-yang fluctuations peak. For instance, moxibustion on the Guanyuan and Sanyinjiao acupoints during the Heavy Snow solar term offers exceptional health benefits.
Optimal timing: Within a day, the morning belongs to the peak of yang energy, while the afternoon belongs to the waning phase of yang. Moxibustion is most effective when yang energy is at its strongest, such as around 1-2 PM. This is when yang energy rises most vigorously, and the sun is warmest.
Four Essential Points for Women: Guanyuan, Xuehai, Sanyinjiao, and Zusanli are universal beauty points for women. They effectively nourish various gynecological issues and significantly improve skin conditions.
Caution! Moxibustion Requires Prudence
First-time moxibustion may cause dry mouth, occasional constipation, or fatigue. Don't worry—drinking plenty of water will alleviate these symptoms.
Avoid moxibustion on facial wounds like broken acne or post-surgery areas. Also refrain if you're extremely hungry or full, intoxicated, severely fatigued, have infectious diseases, are unconscious, or experiencing convulsions. -
Avoid bathing or washing hands for one hour after treatment.
Moxibustion is permissible during menstruation, but massage therapy is not recommended.
During moxibustion, regularly scrape away ash to prevent it from falling and burning the skin.
In the past, we only knew that moxa sticks could repel mosquitoes and treat various illnesses. However, this article has taught us that moxa sticks can also enhance beauty and relieve stress. We hope this information will benefit more people.