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1、Why can moxibustion treat diseases?
As stated in the Neijing: “Yang Qi is like the sky and the sun; if it loses its place, it will shorten life and not manifest.”
This indicates that Yang Qi is the foundation of life. The sufficiency of Yang Qi is closely related to aging, disease, and even death.
When Yang Qi is strong and solid, and Ying and Wei are harmonized, it can defend against external pathogens; moxa can replenish the body’s pure Yang, stimulate self-healing power, naturally preventing disease and promoting health.
2、Why can the fire of moxa strengthen Yang Qi?
Ancient people referred to the sun as the Yang of heaven and moxa as the Yang of earth. The fire of moxa is pure Yang fire, capable of traversing the three Yin and connecting the twelve meridians. The continuous burning of moxa allows the pure Yang warmth to penetrate from the skin surface, and due to its connection with the internal organs, it can facilitate the flow of Yang Qi.
Especially at the Guanyuan (CV4) point, which is the meeting point of the three Yin meridians and the Ren meridian, located in the lower jiao, where true Yin and true Yang are locked. Additionally, the heat and medicinal effects produced during moxa burning enhance its ability to replenish Yang, thus achieving the purpose of health preservation and Yang enhancement.
3、Modern people all need moxibustion!
As the ancients said, “It is better to warm and nourish than to cool and harm.” Modern people often do the opposite, living in air conditioning, refrigerators, and cold drinks from a young age. Women, in particular, wear crop tops and backless outfits for beauty. They frequently use cold and cooling medications and hormones.
Especially women who indulge in cold foods, and even wear skirts while riding electric bikes, deplete their Yang Qi, leading to weakened immunity and dysfunction of various bodily systems, harmed by cold, resulting in various pains, sub-health, chronic diseases, and lifelong ailments. Therefore, modern people all need the pure Yang fire of moxa!
4、What is the sensation of moxibustion?
The essence of moxibustion is that Qi must reach for it to be effective. The sensation of moxibustion is a change in Qi experienced by the patient during the treatment. It can vary greatly, even being bizarre and wonderful. It is difficult to appreciate its subtleties without personal experience.
The first type is the moxa fire following the meridians: This often manifests as three types of heat sensations: penetrating heat, expanding heat, and transmitting heat, indicating that the meridian Qi within the body has been activated and is circulating; for example, when moxibustion is applied at Zusanli (ST36), the heat sensation can be felt radiating down to the calf.
The second type is mutual combat: This often manifests as sensations of soreness, numbness, swelling, pain, and itching, indicating that the meridian Qi within the body is being stimulated to combat the pathogenic factors. The most common occurrence is that patients with excessive wind Qi feel itchy, while those with excessive dampness may experience localized water sensations.
The third type is opening the door to expel pathogens: This often manifests as sensations of wind, cold, and chill, indicating that the meridian Qi within the body is sufficient and beginning to expel pathogenic Qi from the body. Some patients may even feel a sensation of Qi rushing out from their toes.
The fourth type is sufficient Qi, with the eight extraordinary meridians being unobstructed. For example, feeling warm all day, not fearing the cold in winter, and not fearing the heat in summer, etc.
The sensation of moxibustion varies greatly among individuals; not everyone experiences it the same way or every time.
5、Why do some people experience a temporary worsening of their condition after moxibustion?
It is common to experience a worsening of symptoms after moxibustion; this is a normal phenomenon of the battle between the righteous and the evil. If the pathogenic factors have resided in the body for a long time, they will not easily submit. Therefore, there will inevitably be reactions; when you use moxibustion to stimulate the righteous Qi to expel the pathogenic factors, the pathogens will resist vigorously. At this time, the righteous Qi is insufficient, while the pathogenic factors are strong, leading to various discomforts.
As you continue with moxibustion, the righteous Qi will gradually accumulate, and the pathogenic factors will eventually be expelled from the body.
6、What is the difference between acupuncture and moxibustion?
Acupuncture can only unblock the meridians but cannot replenish the Yuan Yang, while moxibustion can replenish Yuan Yang while also unblocking the meridians.
Although acupuncture has principles of “tonifying and draining, following and leading,” it generally only treats symptoms of “not excessive or deficient.” In contrast, moxibustion can be used regardless of deficiency or excess, cold or heat, and is very simple to perform; one can do moxibustion at home, while acupuncture requires a professional acupuncturist.
7、Can I do moxibustion if I don’t know the acupuncture points?
Yes, you can moxibust where it hurts. In TCM, this method is called Ah Shi point or Tian Ying point. Local pain points are definitely caused by blocked Qi and blood in that area; moxibustion can directly unblock the meridians, regulate Qi and blood, and expel pathogenic factors.
8、Can moxibustion be used for beauty?
Yes. Warming moxibustion at Zhongwan (CV12), Shenque (CV8), Guanyuan (CV4), Zusanli (ST36), and Sanyinjiao (SP6) can regulate the internal while nourishing the external, treating both the root and the branch. By regulating the endocrine system and mobilizing both innate and acquired Qi, it ensures sufficient Qi and blood reaches the head and face, effectively lightening and breaking down melanin deposits on the facial skin, eliminating facial puffiness, bags under the eyes, dark circles, and spots.
In addition, moxibustion can effectively improve facial fatigue, making beauty-seeking women have rosy, elastic skin without wrinkles or spots, and full of vitality. Moreover, while enhancing beauty, it can also help with weight loss and eliminate gynecological diseases through the endocrine system.
9、Can people with a hot constitution do moxibustion?
Moxibustion has a bidirectional regulating function, adjusting the body’s cold and heat, deficiency and excess through conduction. For heat symptoms, moxibustion can be applied. The Shanghan Lun states, “Resolve, disperse, elevate, and raise according to its tendency, like opening a window or lifting a quilt, all referred to as ‘release.'” Moxibustion can cause blood vessels to dilate, accelerate blood flow, and open the pores, thus achieving the purpose of “dispersing heat and expelling pathogens!”
Therefore, there is no need to worry; our body’s functions are miraculous, and the righteous Qi will naturally expel cold and heat evils. Thus, people with a hot constitution can do moxibustion! For example, patients with tonsillitis, sore throat, or toothache can moxibust at Dazhui (GV14), Yaoji (BL10), and Tiantu (CV22), and most moxibustion practitioners will feel a moist sensation in the throat, with symptoms alleviated.
However, those with a hot constitution should be cautious with moxibustion and do it sparingly; if not professional, it is best to avoid moxibustion or seek a professional practitioner.
10、Is there a specific season for moxibustion?
No, moxibustion can be done in any season; it can support Yang throughout the year.
Although it is said that during spring, when trees sprout, diseases are prone to relapse, and moxibustion is more effective at this time, as well as the saying that treating winter diseases in summer and moxibustion during the three hottest days is more effective, these are relative statements. If there is any ailment, it is better to moxibust early; there is no need to wait for a specific season to do moxibustion.
11、Why do modern people use gentle moxibustion instead of suppurative moxibustion?
Undoubtedly, suppurative moxibustion is very effective for serious diseases, but in practice, it is difficult to perform without professional supervision. Suppurative moxibustion involves placing moxa wool on the skin and igniting it to create suppuration, which can produce continuous stimulation but requires great perseverance from the patient.
Some patients may not be able to persist, leading to complications such as delayed healing of wounds. Moxibustion is primarily performed by patients at home, so gentle moxibustion is used. As long as it is consistent, it can achieve similar effects.
12、In what situations should moxibustion be avoided?
1. Pregnant women should not moxibust the abdomen and lower back;
2. Patients with severe heart disease or malignant tumors should be cautious with moxibustion;
3. Localized redness, swelling, heat, and pain should be approached with caution;
4. Extreme fatigue, excessive hunger, fullness, drunkenness, profuse sweating, or unstable emotions should avoid moxibustion;
5. Certain infectious diseases, high fever, coma, convulsions, or extreme physical exhaustion should avoid moxibustion;
6. Individuals lacking self-control, such as those with mental illnesses, should avoid moxibustion.
13、How to control the temperature for those with reduced skin sensitivity or children?
Use the index and middle fingers on both sides of the moxibustion area to gauge the temperature, ensuring it does not burn the skin while achieving good results. You can also periodically test the local temperature with your little finger and observe the child’s facial expressions.
14、Can moxibustion be done at night?
With the fast pace of life, many office workers face dual pressures from life and career, and often have no time during the day, leaving only the night for moxibustion. So, is it okay to do moxibustion at night?
Generally, morning is the best time for moxibustion, but in practice, it does not have to be so strict; moxibustion can also be done at noon, afternoon, evening, or night when free. However, it is not recommended to perform extensive moxibustion after 9 PM, as it may lead to insomnia or harm Yin, resulting in a series of problems.
If you can only do it at night, try to finish moxibustion before 9 PM.
15、Is it more effective to moxibust while soaking feet?
Some say that moxibustion while soaking feet not only saves time but also doubles the effect. Is this really the case?
Soaking feet and moxibustion are both excellent health practices, but it is not recommended to do them simultaneously. There are two reasons:
1. Moxibustion while soaking feet artificially opens the skin pores, allowing dampness to invade the body; the temporary effect may be significant, but long-term it can cause more problems.
2. During moxibustion, Qi and blood will surge to the moxibustion area to expel pathogens, while soaking feet will also draw Qi and blood to the feet. If a person has poor Qi and blood, doing both simultaneously may lead to insufficient blood supply to the brain, causing dizziness and fatigue. Even if a person has relatively sufficient Qi and blood, doing both at the same time may prevent Qi and blood from fully concentrating on one area, affecting the effectiveness.
Therefore, it is best to separate foot soaking and moxibustion; you can soak your feet first and then do moxibustion, as soaking feet will enhance overall blood circulation, making moxibustion more effective in unblocking meridian obstructions and expelling cold and dampness!
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