Women often use moxibustion on their belly button to warm the uterus and regulate menstrual cycles, but many people experience water secretion during belly button moxibustion. So why does this happen?
Why does water come out during belly button moxibustion?
Reason 1: Sweating due to heat stimulation
Moxibustion produces heat and penetrates the skin tissues, meridians, and acupoints, promoting health and well-being. During belly button moxibustion, the heat emitted by the moxa stick stimulates the pores of the belly button skin, causing sweating and heat dissipation. Therefore, it is common to feel water secretion during belly button moxibustion.
At this time, you can use a tissue or towel to gently wipe the area where the skin is secreting water. It is also important not to moxibustion for too long or for extended periods in one spot. After moxibustion, people often feel thirsty, so it is advisable to drink some water to relieve thirst.
Reason 2: Moisture elimination reaction
If there is a significant amount of water secretion during belly button moxibustion, it may indicate a moisture elimination reaction, suggesting the presence of cold and dampness in the body.
It is recommended to keep the abdomen warm and avoid cold exposure in daily life. In terms of diet, it is advisable to eat light, soft, warm, and easily digestible foods, and avoid consuming cold foods. Drinking ginger brown sugar water and hot soup or porridge is also beneficial.
Should the water secretion from the moxibustion area be wiped off?
Yes, the water secretion from the moxibustion area should be wiped off.
These secretions contain metabolic waste, inorganic salts, small amounts of urea, lactic acid, and fatty acids, which can mildly irritate the skin. Accumulation of these secretions can promote bacterial growth and further irritate the skin, especially after warm moxibustion, the skin is more sensitive to irritation. Therefore, it is best to use a damp towel or tissue to wipe off the secretions.
The benefits of belly button moxibustion for women
1. Belly button moxibustion can strengthen the function of the spleen and stomach, regulate the ascending yang and descending yin, and promote healthy digestion. It is effective in treating stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
2. Belly button moxibustion can stimulate the qi function of the Triple Burner, clear meridians, promote metabolism, and reduce fat. It can help relieve urinary difficulty, edema, and obesity.
3. Belly button moxibustion can regulate the Chong and Ren channels, stabilize menstruation, and is suitable for treating menstrual irregularity, dysmenorrhea, excessive menstrual flow, leukorrhea, infertility, melasma, and dull complexion.
4. Belly button moxibustion can regulate qi and activate blood circulation, promote meridian circulation, and is suitable for treating intestinal paralysis, numbness in the hands and feet, and various types of pain.
5. Belly button moxibustion can regulate the balance of organ nutrition, promote smooth flow of qi and blood, and help calm the mind. It is commonly used to treat night sweats, spontaneous sweating, excessive leukorrhea, nocturnal emission, spermatorrhea, palpitations, and insomnia.
Precautions for moxibustion
1. Focus and perseverance
During moxibustion, it is important to concentrate and not be distracted, as the moxa stick may move away from the acupoint, causing unnecessary discomfort and wasting time. For health maintenance moxibustion, long-term adherence is necessary, and occasional moxibustion does not produce the desired effects.
2. Accurate body position and acupoint selection
The body position should be suitable for moxibustion and comfortable. The acupoints should be accurately located according to the prescription to ensure the effectiveness of moxibustion.
3. Fire prevention
Modern clothing materials, such as synthetic fibers and down, are highly flammable, so it is essential to prevent fire during moxibustion. Pay extra attention when using moxa sticks to prevent them from rolling or falling off. After using moxa sticks, they can be extinguished by placing the burning end into a bottle slightly larger in diameter than the moxa stick.
4. Keep warm and prevent heatstroke
Since moxibustion requires exposing parts of the body's surface, it is important to keep warm in winter and prevent heatstroke in hot summer temperatures. Indoor temperature regulation and proper ventilation for fresh air are also necessary.
5. Prevent infection
Pyogenic moxibustion or improper moxibustion may cause local burns and sores. Do not break the sores if they occur. If infected, use anti-inflammatory drugs in a timely manner.
6. Follow the moxibustion sequence
If multiple acupoints are to be moxibusted, it is recommended to start with the back, then the chest and abdomen, and finally the head and limbs.
7. Pay attention to moxibustion timing
Some conditions require specific moxibustion timing, such as moxibustion before sleep for insomnia. Avoid moxibustion on an empty stomach or immediately after a meal.
8. Gradually increase the stimulation
When using moxibustion for the first time, it is important to control the intensity. Start with smaller amounts and shorter durations, such as using small moxa sticks or moxibustion for a shorter period of time. Increase the stimulation gradually in subsequent sessions and avoid starting with high intensity.
9. Prevent dizziness during moxibustion
Dizziness during moxibustion is rare, but if it occurs, symptoms such as dizziness, blurred vision, nausea, pale complexion, palpitations, and sweating may appear, and fainting can occur. If dizziness occurs, immediately stop moxibustion, lie down and rest, and apply moxibustion to the point Zusanli gently for about 10 minutes.
10. Adjust moxibustion temperature
For individuals with reduced skin sensitivity or children, it is recommended to place the index and middle fingers on both sides of the moxibustion area to perceive the temperature and ensure it is not hot enough to burn the skin while still achieving good results.
