Nowadays, many people like to stay up late and pull all-nighters, and more and more people are troubled by dark circles. Moxibustion also has a relieving effect on dark circles. So, which acupoints for moxibustion are the most effective for dark circles?
Moxibustion on the Shenshu Point for Dark Circles
1. Location of the Shenshu Point
The Shenshu point is located 1.5 inches (about 2 finger widths) laterally below the lower border of the spinous process of the second lumbar vertebra. There is one point on each side. To locate the point, draw a line connecting the highest points of the iliac crest and find the intersection with the midline of the spine. The Shenshu point is located about 2 finger widths laterally on either side of the depression below the fourth lumbar vertebra.
2. Moxibustion Method
Gentle moxibustion. The person receiving the moxibustion should lie prone, while the person administering the moxibustion should stand or sit beside them, holding a lit moxa stick. The moxa stick should be held about 1.5 to 3 centimeters away from the skin, and the moxibustion should be administered until the person receiving it feels a warm and comfortable sensation at the site.
3. Duration of Moxibustion
Moxibustion should be applied once daily or every other day, for a duration of 15 to 30 minutes per session. The moxibustion should continue until the skin develops a reddish hue. A course of treatment consists of 10 sessions.
4. Efficacy
Dispels heat from the kidneys.
Moxibustion on the Sanyinjiao Point for Dark Circles
1. Location of the Sanyinjiao Point
The Sanyinjiao point is located on the inner side of the lower leg, 3 inches (about 4 finger widths) above the tip of the inner ankle bone, behind the medial edge of the tibia. There is one point on each leg. To locate the point, measure about 4 finger widths up from the protruding ankle bone on the inner side of the lower leg, along the posterior edge of the bone.
2. Moxibustion Method
Gentle moxibustion. Take a seated position and hold the moxa stick, aligning it with the point. Administer the moxibustion from a distance of about 1.5 to 3 centimeters away from the skin, until the person receiving it feels a warm and comfortable sensation at the site.
3. Duration of Moxibustion
Moxibustion should be applied once daily or every other day, for a duration of 15 to 30 minutes per session. A course of treatment consists of 10 sessions.
4. Efficacy
Has a beneficial effect on the liver and kidneys.
Principle of Moxibustion for Dark Circles
There are many causes of dark circles, such as insufficient kidney water, excessive internal heat, excessive sexual activity, or postpartum imbalance. Nourishing yin and tonifying the kidneys, clearing and descending internal heat, nourishing deficiency and moisturizing the skin, and promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis are the best methods to eliminate dark circles. Moxibustion on the Shenshu and Sanyinjiao points can effectively treat dark circles.
Role and Contraindications of Moxibustion
1. Role of Moxibustion
1. Warming the meridians and promoting blood circulation, dispelling dampness and dispersing cold.
Due to the warm nature of moxa and other Chinese herbs, the heat from moxibustion can penetrate deeply into the muscle layer, promoting the circulation of meridians and qi. Therefore, moxibustion has a good effect in warming the meridians, promoting blood circulation, dispelling dampness, and dispersing cold. It is clinically used to treat various conditions caused by cold stagnation and blood stasis in meridians and collaterals, such as wind-cold-damp arthralgia, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, cold hernia, epigastric pain, abdominal pain, diarrhea, dysentery, and insufficient lactation.
2. Raising yang and relieving sinking, restoring yang and securing collapse.
Due to weak yang and sinking of qi, organs may sag and symptoms such as prolapse, rectal prolapse, prolonged diarrhea, metrorrhagia, and leukorrhea may occur. As stated in the Ling Shu, "If there is sinking, apply moxibustion." Therefore, moxibustion can not only tonify qi and warm yang, raise yang and relieve sinking, and stabilize the fetus and secure the meridians, but also be effective for those with weak defensive yang and loose pores, helping to restore normal bodily functions.
In addition, for critically ill patients with weakened yang, separation of yin and yang, and other conditions, heavy moxibustion can be used to dispel yin and cold and restore yang. Therefore, moxibustion can be used to treat symptoms such as profuse sweating, cold limbs, and faint pulse caused by yang collapse in cases of extreme yang deficiency.
3. Dispelling stasis and resolving masses, detoxifying and clearing heat.
Moxibustion can use heat to expel heat, allowing heat to exit the body. Moxibustion can dispel cold and clear heat, indicating its bidirectional regulatory effect on the original functional state of the body. Especially with the increasing use of moxibustion and the expansion of its therapeutic range, this effect is increasingly recognized.
Therefore, in clinical practice, moxibustion can be used to treat early-stage surgical ulcers, as well as conditions such as breast abscesses in the early stages, lymphadenitis, unhealed ulcers, cold furuncles, etc. Moxibustion can promote smooth flow of qi and blood and harmonize nutrient and defense systems, leading to the dispersion of blood stasis.
4. Disease prevention and health promotion
In addition to its therapeutic effects, moxibustion also has preventive and health-promoting effects. It is one of the methods for disease prevention and health promotion, as recorded in ancient literature. In modern times, the preventive and health-promoting effects of moxibustion have become one of the important methods of health maintenance.
2. Contraindications of Moxibustion
1. Avoid direct moxibustion on the facial, neck, and superficial areas of large blood vessels or mucous membranes.
2. Moxibustion should not be applied to the abdominal and lumbosacral regions of patients with organic heart disease accompanied by heart failure, schizophrenia, and pregnant women.
3. Moxibustion should not be used for patients with true heat syndrome or yin deficiency with fever, intense pathogenic heat, such as high fever, hypertensive crisis, advanced pulmonary tuberculosis, massive hemoptysis, vomiting, severe anemia, acute infectious diseases, and skin abscesses with fever.
Precautions for Moxibustion
1. Maintain concentration and persistence
Pay attention to staying focused during moxibustion and avoid distractions, as moving the moxa stick away from the acupoint can cause harm and waste time. For health maintenance moxibustion, long-term persistence is necessary, occasional moxibustion will not achieve the desired effect.
2. Pay attention to accurate positioning of body and acupoints
The body position should be suitable for moxibustion and also comfortable and natural. The acupoint locations should be accurately identified according to the prescription to ensure the effectiveness of moxibustion.
3. Fire safety
Modern clothing materials, such as synthetic fibers and down, are highly flammable. Therefore, fire prevention is essential during moxibustion, especially when using moxa rolls, to prevent them from rolling and falling off. After moxibustion with moxa sticks, the burning end can be inserted into a bottle slightly larger in diameter than the moxa stick to extinguish it.
4. Maintain warmth and prevent heatstroke
During moxibustion, certain areas of the body surface are exposed. In winter, it is important to keep warm, and during hot summer weather, it is necessary to prevent heatstroke. Also, pay attention to regulating indoor temperature and use fans or open windows for fresh air.
5. Prevent infection
Localized burns or sores may occur due to suppuration or improper moxibustion. Do not break open the sores. If infection occurs, promptly use anti-inflammatory drugs.
6. Follow the proper sequence for moxibustion
If multiple acupoints are moxibusted and dispersed, the sequence should be back first, followed by chest and abdomen, and then head and limbs.
7. Pay attention to timing for moxibustion
Some conditions require attention to the timing of moxibustion. For example, moxibustion for insomnia should be applied right before bedtime. Avoid moxibustion on an empty stomach before meals or immediately after meals.
8. Gradually increase stimulation for initial use of moxibustion
Be cautious and start with a small amount and low dose when first using moxibustion. For example, use small moxa rolls or shorten the duration of moxibustion. Increase the dose gradually later on. Avoid starting with a high dose right from the beginning.
9. Prevent syncope during moxibustion
Syncope during moxibustion is rare, but if it occurs, symptoms such as dizziness, blurred vision, nausea, pale complexion, palpitations, and sweating may arise, and even fainting may occur. If syncope occurs, immediately stop the moxibustion and lie down quietly. Additionally, moxibustion on the Zusanli point can be applied gently for about 10 minutes.
10. Adjust moxibustion temperature
For individuals with dulled skin sensation or children, use the index and middle fingers to feel the temperature on both sides of the moxibustion site, ensuring that the moxibustion does not cause burns to the skin while still achieving good therapeutic effects.
