Moxa Sticks & Moxa Rolls - Moxibustion Acupuncture Treatment Supplies

Moxibustion is a therapy technique that involves burning processed mugwort leaves (Artemisia moxa) at acupuncture points across the body. The mugwort is dried, finely ground, sieved, and winnowed. It is then shaped into small cones or cigars called moxibustion sticks. Cones are placed on the skin and burned slowly, heating the area, and are removed before they cause any burns. Moxa can also be burned on acupuncture needles, which transmit the heat deeper into the tissue. Both of these methods are forms of direct moxibustion.

In indirect moxibustion therapy, the practitioner either holds ignited moxa sticks about one inch from the body, until the skin gets warm and red, or uses an insulating layer of salt between the moxibustion cones and the skin. Moxibustion sticks are considered safer than cones and are preferred by patients and therapists alike.

Therapists often recommend moxibustion in conjunction with acupuncture therapy. By using moxibustion sticks, the heat applied to acupoints is easier to control than with cones, making it a safe and effective method even for home use. The way it works is the heat from burning moxa sticks penetrates the skin and stimulates the respective acupuncture points. This can be effective in case of gastrointestinal issues, menstrual cramps, joint pain, or indigestion.

While the pollutants in moxa smoke are within safe limits, it is best to avoid inhaling large amounts of any type of smoke. This is why moxibustion therapy practitioners prefer to use Longevity smokeless moxa sticks and limit their lung exposure to substances resulting from frequent combustion. These sticks have a hole in the middle which allows them to produce less smoke and smell while burning. The hole is also useful for placing the moxibustion sticks over acupuncture needles.

Moxibustion can have anti-inflammatory effects as a stand-alone therapy but its benefits are greater when used together with acupuncture. Other health benefits of moxibustion therapy include lowering blood pressure, reducing muscle spasms, and slowing or even preventing the damage of free radicals to cells. It is recommended as a complementary therapy for treating headaches, chronic pain due to osteoporosis or fibromyalgia, sleep disorders, depression, anxiety, stress, and digestive disorders like IBS.

Moxibustion sticks, cones, and stick-on cylinders can be used at home but you won't be able to stimulate all the acupuncture points by yourself. If you decide on the safe option of indirect moxibustion with moxa sticks, you will need a pack of pure moxa rolls, an ashtray, an airtight glass jar, and a lighter. Light the end of the moxibustion stick evenly and tap it over the ashtray to knock off any loose ash. Repeat this de-ashing step during your moxibustion session whenever you notice ash building up. Hold the moxa stick like a pen and approach it to the body area that the therapist indicated until you feel a pleasant radiating warmth. Make sure you keep it at a safe distance from the skin, roughly 1-2 inches, to avoid accidental burns. If you feel that the skin gets too hot, move the stick a bit further from it. After the time indicated by the therapist passes, you can move to another area or put out the stick in the airtight jar. Another home moxa technique is with Chosei-Kyu Stick On Moxa. These small cylinders adhere to the skin and can burn for a few minutes before they stop smoking and generate more heat. Keep them on as long as you are comfortable and put them out in an ashtray with water once you are done.

You should always follow the therapist's recommendation as each condition and acupoint has different requirements. As a rule of thumb, you can use moxibustion therapy every day before you go to sleep, usually for 5-10 minutes for each point or until you feel warm. You should leave moxibustion acupuncture to the professionals and not try it on your own.