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Ai
AI JIU
Jiu
The Huangdi Neijing states: “Zang (organs) cold leads to fullness disease. The treatment should be moxibustion (ai jiu).” This means that those suffering from fullness disease should be treated with moxibustion. Nowadays, many people neglect their diet and health, leading to an increase in those with fullness disease.
The mugwort used for moxibustion was once the material used by the ancient fire-maker. Its characteristic is that it can be ground into a very fine fluff, which ignites very well. Most importantly, when the finest part of aged mugwort—moxa fluff—is ignited, the warmth felt is akin to experiencing maternal love. Maternal love is different from romantic love and paternal love. A lover may throw a tantrum, and a father may scold you. However, once the mugwort is ignited, the warmth it emits is penetrating yet gentle, akin to maternal love.
Moxibustion can provide warmth, but the sensation of warmth it gives is different. When the weather turns cold, many people turn on electric heaters; the temperature rises, but they feel dry and uncomfortable. For example, the taste of meat grilled over wood charcoal differs from that grilled over coal or gas. Ancient shamans carefully selected herbs, and Shennong tasted hundreds of herbs before choosing mugwort. Once ignited, the energy of mugwort resonates harmoniously with the human energy, and its wavelength is closest to that of the human body, making it easier for the body to accept it, allowing the moxibustion energy to penetrate deeper.
The heat from mugwort is very close to sunlight; it has a feeling of winter sunshine, unlike the scorching summer sun. It can warm and unblock many yang meridians in the body. Since there is cold in the organs, we first heat the six fu organs, and then the cold in the five zang organs will gradually melt away.
Cold in the organs is not entirely a bad thing; in fact, it is a form of accumulated energy. It is just that you lack the ability to refine essence into qi, and cannot break it down. It is like being in a relationship; do not blame the girl for being cold; it may be that you are not warm enough, or your energy is not strong enough to touch her heart.
We can use the power of mugwort to stimulate yang energy, dissolve the accumulated cold and transform it into essence, and then into spirit, thus enhancing our essence, qi, and spirit.
Applying moxibustion at specific acupoints yields the fastest results. The character for “moxibustion” (灸) has the upper part as “久”, meaning that the duration of moxibustion cannot be too short. Therefore, when treating cold in the organs, it is necessary to divide large areas into smaller sections and treat them accordingly. People with cold in the organs often develop a thick layer of fat to protect themselves. If moxibustion is applied on this thick layer of fat, it is like trying to roast a popsicle through a thick blanket, which can easily burn the skin. Many people who perform moxibustion end up with large blisters on their skin, yet the underlying area remains cold. In fact, the human body has meridians. Applying moxibustion at specific acupoints yields the fastest results. These meridians are like small windows on the body, allowing the moxibustion energy to penetrate easily.
Moxibustion requires full concentration; one must be fully focused during the process.In ancient times, moxibustion was performed like a ritual, with great focus and reverence. True moxibustion involves gathering your energy, intention, and spirit together, allowing you to work on the organs one by one.
The Huangdi Neijing mentions:
“Nurturing yang in spring and summer, nurturing yin in autumn and winter.”
Why not take some time to visit a TCM hospital
and experience the “winter disease treated in summer” moxibustion during the dog days?
It could be a great way to relax!
[End]
Text: Li Kefeng (Pulmonary Disease Department)
Images: Li Kefeng (Pulmonary Disease Department)
Editor: Ling Dongyu (Publicity Department)
Review: Huang Weiyi, Yan Wei (Publicity Department)