It's the dog days of summer again, and one traditional practice during this time is to use "sanfu" patches, which have certain health benefits. Since sanfu patches can be used during this period, can moxibustion also be done during the dog days of summer? What are the four major benefits of moxibustion during this time?
Can Moxibustion be Done During the Dog Days of Summer?
Yes, moxibustion can be done during the dog days of summer.
The dog days of summer are the hottest time of the year in China. Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes treating winter diseases in the summer, as the body's pores are open during this time, making it suitable for detoxification and cleansing. Moxibustion has excellent health benefits and is very suitable for use during the dog days of summer.
The Four Major Benefits of Moxibustion During the Dog Days of Summer
Promotes Qi and Blood Circulation
For office workers who often sit for long periods, their bodies may experience blood stasis and qi stagnation, leading to body aches and pains. Moxa leaves have the effect of promoting blood circulation and qi movement. During the dog days of summer, when temperatures are at their highest, the body's pores are open, making it an ideal time for moxibustion to promote the circulation of qi and blood, and warm the meridians.
Enhances Digestion
The dog days of summer are the hottest time of the year, and many people experience loss of appetite during this time due to the difficulty of enduring the summer heat. Moxibustion can stimulate acupuncture points and enhance the function of the digestive system, increasing appetite and promoting digestion.
Warms and Tonifies the Kidneys
The dog days of summer are when the body's yang energy is at its peak. Moxibustion can strengthen the body and help maintain the health of individuals with poor constitution, especially those with insufficient yang and kidney energy.
Prolongs Life and Enhances Health
Moxibustion during the dog days of summer is one of the traditional Chinese health practices. It can help the body remove stasis, unblock meridians, and promote metabolism. For the elderly whose immune system may be weakening, moxibustion can have a beneficial effect in prolonging life and enhancing health.
Can Moxibustion be Done Daily During the Dog Days of Summer?
Yes, it can be done daily.
Moxibustion during the dog days of summer is a health maintenance method. Moxibustion for half an hour every day, continuously for a week, constitutes one course of treatment. By the time autumn and winter arrive, one will notice a significant difference in their physical condition. This is the principle of "treating winter diseases in the summer" in traditional Chinese medicine.
When is the Best Time to Do Moxibustion During the Dog Days of Summer?
It depends on individual circumstances.
Modern lifestyles are often fast-paced, and most people only have a significant amount of time in the evenings after work to do moxibustion or other health-related activities. Alternatively, any other available rest time is also suitable. In short, whenever there is time, one can do moxibustion, which not only promotes health but also helps with relaxation.
Who Should Not Do Moxibustion?
Children and Pregnant Women
Children have delicate bodies, and moxibustion may be too strong for them, so it is not recommended for children to do moxibustion during the dog days of summer. Pregnant women have special circumstances, and moxibustion may cause discomfort, so it is not recommended for them.
Individuals with Heat-related Diseases
Heat-related diseases are generally caused by internal heat, and moxa leaves themselves have a warming nature. For individuals with heat-related diseases, moxibustion during the dog days of summer would aggravate the condition. Therefore, it is not recommended for individuals with heat-related diseases to do moxibustion.
Which Acupoints are Suitable for Moxibustion During the Dog Days of Summer?
Fenglong (ST40)
Fenglong is located 8 cun above the tip of the outer ankle, 2 horizontal finger widths from the front edge of the shinbone. It can treat various inflammations, such as obesity.
Yaoyangguan (GV3)
Yaoyangguan is located below the spinous process of the fourth lumbar vertebra. It is very effective in treating menstrual disorders, hormonal imbalances, excessive fat in the arms, male impotence, and nocturnal emissions.
Zhongwan (CV12)
Zhongwan is located on the midline of the upper abdomen, 4 cun above the navel. It can enhance digestion and the body's ability to absorb food and can also treat stomachaches, gastric acid, and vomiting.
Daheng (SP15)
Daheng is located 4 cun beside the navel. This acupoint is very effective in treating diarrhea, loose stools, and abdominal pain.
Dazhui (GV14)
Dazhui is located below the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra. Stimulating this acupoint has a remarkable effect on treating facial diseases caused by blood stasis or thickened blood, such as acne, chloasma, recurrent facial dermatitis, and cosmetic steroid-induced dermatitis.
Guanyuan (CV4)
Guanyuan is located 3 cun below the navel. This acupoint can enhance the elasticity of the abdominal muscles, regulate female endocrine balance, and treat symptoms such as menstrual disorders, leukorrhea, and infertility.
What Diseases can Moxibustion During the Dog Days of Summer Treat?
Respiratory Diseases
For example, chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease during the remission period, such as bronchitis and bronchopneumonia.
Pediatric Diseases
For example, bronchitis, asthma, allergic rhinitis, chronic rhinitis, pharyngitis, and recurrent cough and respiratory infections.
Skin Diseases
For example, psoriasis, exacerbation of eczema in winter and summer, chilblains, keratotic tinea pedis, cold urticaria, as well as many cosmetic skin diseases such as acne, melasma, recurrent facial dermatitis, and cosmetic steroid-induced dermatitis.
Kidney Diseases
For example, chronic nephritis, chronic renal insufficiency, recurrent urinary tract infections, and kidney deficiency with aversion to cold.
Chronic Diseases
For example, allergic rhinitis, chronic pharyngitis, chronic tonsillitis.
Gynecological Diseases
For example, oligomenorrhea, chronic pelvic inflammatory disease, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, postpartum body pain, leukorrhea, and endometriosis.
What Should be Paid Attention to During Moxibustion During the Dog Days of Summer?
1. Before Moxibustion
Since no wind should blow during moxibustion, please close doors and windows before moxibustion. The room should not be ventilated. The same applies to summer, where there should be no ventilation or air conditioning.
Moxibustion should not be done immediately after a meal. It is recommended to wait for at least one hour after a meal before moxibustion, as overeating is not suitable for moxibustion.
2. During Moxibustion
Do not be excessively full or hungry during moxibustion. Avoid moxibustion if experiencing extreme fatigue, extreme hunger, or extreme fullness. Maintain a calm and relaxed state of mind during moxibustion.
Drink warm water during moxibustion to facilitate detoxification. The water temperature can be slightly higher. Do not drink cold water, even in summer.
If there is moisture on the surface of the acupuncture points during moxibustion, it indicates the expulsion of cold qi from the body. If the body has a heavier accumulation of cold qi, moxibustion is working.
3. After Moxibustion
Within half an hour after moxibustion, do not wash hands or face with cold water. After moxibustion, the pores all over the body are open and are susceptible to cold.
Do not take a bath immediately after moxibustion. The same principle applies. In general, I take a bath before moxibustion. Alternatively, after moxibustion, wait for a few hours before taking a bath.
If feeling tired, weak, or mentally fatigued after moxibustion, it is a normal phenomenon. At this time, the body is in the process of recuperation, so it is advisable to rest and not overexert oneself.
What Should be Kept in Mind During Moxibustion During the Dog Days of Summer?
1. Do not apply moxibustion directly to areas with thin skin, little muscle, areas with muscle and tendon junctions, the lumbar and sacral regions of pregnant women, lower abdominal regions, nipples of both men and women, genital areas, and testicles. In addition, do not directly apply moxibustion to joint areas. Moreover, do not apply moxibustion to major blood vessels and the heart region. The eyeball is part of the facial region and should not be moxibusted.
2. Do not directly apply moxibustion to exposed areas such as the face to avoid scarring and affecting appearance.
3. Extreme fatigue, extreme hunger, extreme fullness, drunkenness, profuse sweating, and extreme emotional changes should be avoided during moxibustion.
4. Moxibustion should be avoided for individuals with certain conditions, such as infectious diseases, high fever, coma, convulsions, extreme physical exhaustion, emaciation, etc.
5. Individuals without self-control, such as patients with mental illnesses, should avoid moxibustion.
