Moxibustion

Through the burning of a Chinese herb called Mugwort (artemesia vulgaris), this therapy uses warmth to facilitate blood flow and general maintenance healing. In traditional medicine, moxibustion was used on people who had a cold diagnosis, or stagnant condition. This usually encompasses symptoms of always feeling cold, tight muscles, pain in certain regions of the body, and even infertility.

In Western medicine, there has been studies showing moxibustion being successful with turning a breeched baby into normal position with head-down prior to childbirth. This was found in the Journal of the American Medical Association (1998) showing that 75% of women suffering from breeched positioning before childbirth had their child fully rotated.

Research has shown that mugwort specifically acts as emmenagogue, which is an agent proven to increase circulation of the blood to the pelvic area, uterus and stimulates menstruation. Research has also shown its effectiveness in treating any pain within the joints of the body.

The fragrance of mugwort burning is similar to that of medical marijuana. However, the difference is that the patient will not get a euphoric ‘high’ sensation from the inhalation of mugwort. The acupuncturist trained to use mugwort are in the room at all times while it is lit, and is conscious of every motion of the moxibustion stick above the patient’s body.