Medical Dialogue
医学会话
Teaching on Moxibustion
灸法教学
Dr. Abbott, a professor at the Yellow Mountain College of TCM in New Hampshire, USA, is teaching a moxibustion class for first-year students.
| doctor: | Good morning, and welcome to another technique class. |
| students: | Good morning Dr. Abbott! |
| doctor: | For the last two classes we worked on the technique of cupping, and I feel everyone did quite well. Let's move on to moxibustion. I hope everyone has read the relevant material and is ready for our discussion and practice. Can you please tell me what we mean by moxibustion. |
| david: | Moxibustion is the use of heat, by means of burning an herbal substance, over acupoints or certain areas of the body, to treat or prevent disease. |
| doctor: | So, we burn herbs on the human body? |
| mack: | No, sir, the herbal substance is referred to as "moxa-wool" and it is rolled into sticks, or cigars, about the diameter of a man's thumb, then burned close to the acupoint or body area in question. |
| david: | May I also say, yes, sir! It can also be used by making cones of the fluffed herb. These cones can be of different sizes, the smallest being about the size of a grain of rice, and the largest being about the size of a medium strawberry. These cones in certain instances can also be used for "scarring" moxibustion. I believe that in China the use of scarring moxa is still used. I have heard of kung fu practitioners use scarring moxa on zusanli, ST3 6, to promote energy and increase yang. |
| doctor: | Let's first address the use of direct moxa here in the United States, then let's explore David's comment about "increasing yang" with moxibustion. |
| mack: | From talking with a person I know, most direct moxibustion in the United States is done for turning the fetus when it is in breech position. |
| doctor: | Yes, that is so. Explain what breech position is. |
| mack: | Breech is also called malposition of the fetus. It is when a fetus is not head down in the amniotic sac. It may be posterior down, or lying sideways. |
| doctor: | That is correct. Please tell us how moxibustion is done in this situation, Mack. |
| mack: | OK. The moxa-wool is rolled between the hands into small pieces resembling rice grains. It is then placed at the acupoint Bladder 67. It is then ignited, usually with an incense stick. |
| doctor: | And what is the location of Bladder 67? David? |
| david: | Bladder 67 is on the lateral side of the small toe posterior to the corner of the nail. Usually 7 "grains" of moxa are burned on each side. And the practitioner extinguishes the heat as soon as the patient indicates they feel it, by saying HOT! |
| doctor: | All very good and interesting, but we have gotten ahead of ourselves. We need to look at the basics of moxibustion, including identifying what herb we burn. |
| david: | The herb that is burned is Artemisia Vulgaris Sinesis. In the U.S., it is called Chinese Mugwort, and in China it is called aiye. Its flavors are bitter and acrid, and it has a moving property. |
| doctor: | Yes. |
| mack: | According to my reading, moxa has 4 basic functions: (1) to warm meridians and expel cold; (2) to help smooth the flow of qi and blood; (3) to strengthen yang; and (4) to help prevent disease. Since warmth is yang, moxa helps strengthen yang qi. Since our bodies need to be warm to exist, most yang disorders can be treated with the use of moxa. And moxibustion on certain points can increase health and longevity. Such as the moxa I mentioned earlier on ST36. Also burning moxa on CV4 and 6 is very good in promoting health and longevity. |
| doctor: | How would we burn moxa at the area of qihai, CV6. |
| david: | Well, a few ways. One is to put a slice of garlic or ginger between moxa cone and the skin. The garlic or ginger is about 5 inch thick and with holes in it. Garlic and ginger are warm in nature. When the patient feels it is getting too hot, it is removed, and replaced with another slice. |
| doctor: | We do need to be careful of our patients, and not burn them, so scarring moxa is not practiced clinically in the U.S. |
| mack: | I would like to comment on protecting the patient in the sparrow pecking method. While using my right hand to "peck", I put two fingers of my left hand on either side of the point I am "pecking". That way I can feel the heat and insure I don't burn anyone. |
| doctor: | We need to wind down, as class time is coming to an end. I want to expand on some of these topics in our next class. But before we leave, I need to see if anyone can tell me about contraindications for moxibustion. |
| mack: | Obviously, since moxa is heat, and heat is yang, in any condition where there is swelling or fever, moxa would be contraindicated. |
| doctor: | Yes,* so if you think moxibustion is appropriate, but the pulse of the patient is thready and rapid, I would not use moxa. Yes, Mack, you have a question? |
| mack: | No, actually I wanted to add, that in using moxibustion, I have irritated the skin of a patient with the heat, and I have used the herbal burn ointment Ching Wan Hung, to soothe the burn, with great results. |
| doctor: | Good idea, Mack. And thank you class for another stimulating discussion. See you all on Friday. |
| students: | Thank you, Dr. Abbot. |