When using moxibustion for treatment, it is essential to know these four key tips: “Focus to receive Qi, fill the reservoir before proceeding, Qi must arrive to be effective, and sufficient fire can lead to recovery.” These four tips are scattered throughout the classics such as the Ling Shu, Zhen Jiu Da Cheng, and Yi Zong Jin Jian. Here, we will elaborate on the principles of moxibustion therapy.
1. Focus to Receive Qi
There are two key aspects here: one is to focus the mind, and the other is to hold the moxa stick and perform some techniques to ensure the Qi and blood in the meridians are abundant. Although the moxa stick is suspended above the skin, the heat can penetrate into the body, similar to the sensation of “receiving Qi” during acupuncture.
The Biao You Fu states: “For all needling, the mind must be focused before proceeding; once needled, the mind must remain focused and Qi will follow. If the mind is not focused, do not needle; if the mind is focused, then treatment can proceed.”
When performing moxibustion, one must allow the mind to settle; avoid distractions like using a phone or talking, and focus on receiving the treatment. If the mind is not settled, it will be difficult to perform moxibustion effectively, and the Qi will be scattered, making it hard to find a point to stabilize the treatment. Once the mind is settled, the Qi can follow; the mind is the master of the body, and the Qi must follow its lead.
When the mind is settled, it becomes easier to feel the moxa heat knocking at the body’s door; if the mind feels it necessary, it will open the door, and the Qi will immediately follow, which is the sensation of receiving Qi. Different individuals and locations will experience the arrival of Qi at different speeds, as stated in the Biao You Fu: “If Qi arrives quickly, the effect is quick; if Qi arrives slowly, it will not treat.”
What does receiving Qi feel like?
The Biao You Fu describes: “When Qi arrives, it is like a fish swallowing a hook, rising and falling; when Qi has not arrived, it is like a deep and quiet hall.”
When receiving Qi during moxibustion, the treated area should not feel hot at all, as the moxa heat is absorbed by the body and quickly travels along the meridians to other areas, leaving the treated area feeling cool. If the treated area does not feel hot, it is the subjective feeling of the recipient; the surface temperature may still be high, so do not touch it, as this can disturb the mind, requiring a return to the techniques to ensure the mind is focused to receive Qi.
If the heat does not penetrate, and the moxa heat is blocked at the skin’s surface, it will accumulate, causing the treated area to feel hot, and in severe cases, may even blister.
2. Fill the Reservoir Before Proceeding
The moxa heat is absorbed into the body, and then it flows like water; where there is a low point, it must be filled before it can flow forward. This characteristic is called “fill the reservoir before proceeding.” For example, when moxibustion is applied to Zu San Li (Stomach 36), the heat will follow the Stomach meridian down to Chong Yang (Conception Vessel 1), and then return up to the Bi Guan (Hip Joint) before entering the abdominal cavity….
When do we need to supplement energy from outside?
The first situation is simply insufficient righteous Qi, like when feeling hungry and blood sugar is low; eating something quickly restores balance. If the Qi in the meridians or organs is slightly deficient, moxibustion can quickly replenish it. At this time, the treated area feels warm and comfortable. Some report feeling warmth in the front and back, or warmth in the waist when treating the navel, which is called “transmitting heat”; during treatment, the heat travels along a line, known as “conducting heat”; and there is also “expanding heat,” where the heat spreads from a single point.
The second situation is when there is a hidden pathogen in the body; during moxibustion, it may not feel comfortable, or there may be soreness, distension, or even no sensation at all. The moxa heat continuously enters the body, replenishing righteous Qi while battling the hidden pathogen. Both the righteous and evil Qi are strong, leading to intense sensations such as pain, distension, or soreness. At this time, support for the righteous Qi must not stop; otherwise, it will be overwhelmed by the evil Qi, leading to a situation where the enemy is allowed to enter.
Additionally, the body’s absorption of moxa heat can also manifest on the mental and emotional levels. During treatment, if one suddenly cries out, it is an emotional release. Without the assistance of this moxa heat, emotions cannot be released, thus this is treatment, not merely regulation or health maintenance. Moxibustion is particularly effective for treating emotional disorders.
3. Qi Must Arrive to be Effective
“Qi must arrive to be effective” is a holistic principle that cannot be separated. The Nei Jing clearly reveals this secret, particularly in the first section of Jiu Zhen Shi Er Yuan: “For needling, the key is that Qi must arrive to be effective; the effect is reliable, like the wind blowing the clouds, clear as seeing the blue sky; this is the way of needling.”
If the condition has persisted for a long time, after one or two moxibustion sessions, symptoms may actually worsen. How do we determine if this is a mis-treatment or a process of expelling the disease? We must observe the changes in the pulse before and after treatment; if the moxibustion is appropriate, the pulse should improve as follows: “drainage benefits deficiency, supplementation benefits excess”. If this occurs, it indicates that Qi has arrived and is effective; although symptoms may fluctuate in the moment, in the end, “the disease must decline.”
The Ming dynasty physician Li Zhongzi once said, “The pulse is the precursor of the Qi and blood. The precursor governs the spirit of Qi and blood. The pulse is another name for the spirit; this is an ancient unresolved mystery, specifically highlighted here.” Therefore, changes in the pulse actually indicate changes in the spirit, making it a good choice to assess whether moxibustion is effective and to predict the prognosis.
4. Sufficient Fire Can Lead to Recovery
The final point is that “sufficient fire can lead to recovery.” This phrase is adapted from the Yi Zong Jin Jian – Key Points of Needling and Moxibustion, which states: “For all diseases treated with moxibustion, there must be sufficient fire and Qi must arrive to seek recovery.”
This means that to use moxibustion to cure a disease, two conditions must be met: sufficient fire and Qi must arrive. The arrival of Qi includes two aspects: first, the area of moxibustion must “receive Qi”; second, as previously mentioned, Qi must arrive to be effective. What is sufficient fire? It means the duration of moxibustion must be adequate; just like simmering soup, the right amount of time is needed for the flavor to develop. The duration of moxibustion must be sufficient for the disease to improve. However, the requirement for “sufficient fire” may vary slightly depending on the situation and requires some discernment.
The first situation is for newly acquired diseases, which are often easier to cure, thus the requirement for moxa duration is shorter. For example, if one catches a cold with slight nasal discharge, moxibustion on the Yintang (Hall of Impression) or Da Zhui (Governing Vessel 14) can invigorate the Yang Qi of the Governing Vessel, quickly improving symptoms, often resolving in a short time. Or if one has food poisoning with frequent diarrhea, moxibustion on the navel can support the righteous Qi and expel the corrupt and foul, ensuring that the evil does not linger in the body, and stopping the diarrhea after clearing it out. Compared to the meticulousness required for herbal prescriptions, moxibustion is undoubtedly much more convenient at this time.
The second situation is when the disease is not uniform, and the body will gradually improve. It is best to develop the habit of incorporating moxibustion into daily life. Just as one eats when hungry, when the body has consumed energy and the Qi is deficient, moxibustion is also needed. For instance, a middle-aged person may have both stomach issues and back pain; when moxibustion is applied, the back pain may improve first, and the body will automatically transport the moxa heat to the stomach, improving its function. In this case, especially for those who primarily practice self-moxibustion, patience is required.
The third situation is if one wants to accumulate enough moxibustion to recover quickly, consider first performing abdominal massage before moxibustion. This is like clearing the channels before adding water, avoiding wasting water to clean the channels.
Finally, accumulating enough moxibustion is like filling a reservoir with water; if one does not pay attention to maintenance and is constantly consuming energy, the state will quickly deteriorate. The moxibustion public account reminds: in addition to maintaining regularity in daily life and diet to reduce consumption, once one notices a decline in their state, they should promptly perform moxibustion to quickly replenish it.
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