Indirect moxibustion, also known as barrier moxibustion or interval moxibustion, is a method of moxibustion that uses other substances to separate the moxa stick and the acupoint. This technique can prevent skin burns and suppuration, while also enhancing the therapeutic effect by combining the properties of the moxa and the substances used as barriers. There are various types of indirect moxibustion methods, which are widely used in the treatment of diseases in internal medicine, surgery, gynecology, pediatrics, dermatology, and ophthalmology, and have shown good efficacy. Depending on the type of barrier used, there are more than 40 specific moxibustion methods.
【Methods】
1. Ginger barrier moxibustion: Take a fresh ginger and cut it into slices about 0.3 cm thick (the size depends on the moxibustion area and the size of the moxa stick used). Use a needle to pierce several holes in the middle and place it on the acupoint. Ignite the moxa stick and perform moxibustion. If the patient feels local heat and pain during the moxibustion process, slightly lift the ginger slice along with the moxa stick, pause for a moment, and then continue moxibustion until the local skin becomes reddish and moist. Generally, 2-3 acupoints are selected each time, with 2-3 moxa sticks for each point, and moxibustion can be repeated according to the condition.
2. Garlic barrier moxibustion: There are two types: garlic slice moxibustion and garlic paste moxibustion. For garlic slice moxibustion, take a fresh large purple-skinned garlic, cut it into slices 0.1-0.3 cm thick, and use a fine needle to pierce several holes in the middle. Place it on the acupoint or affected area, and ignite the moxa stick for moxibustion. After 3-4 moxa sticks, the garlic slices can be replaced and moxibustion can continue. For garlic paste moxibustion, mash a suitable amount of fresh garlic into a paste and apply it to the acupoint or affected area, then ignite the moxa stick for moxibustion. In addition, spread the garlic paste on the spine (from the Dazhui acupoint to the Yaoyu acupoint), with a width of about 2 cm and a thickness of about 0.5 cm. Wrap it with mulberry paper and perform moxibustion on the Dazhui and Yaoyu acupoints for about 10 moxa sticks. The moxibustion is considered complete when the patient can smell the garlic in their nose and mouth. This method is called "snake moxibustion".
3. Aconite barrier moxibustion: There are two types: aconite slice moxibustion and aconite cake moxibustion. For aconite slice moxibustion, take cooked aconite, cut it into slices 0.3-0.5 cm thick after soaking in water, and use a needle to pierce several holes in the middle. Place it on the affected area and ignite the moxa stick for moxibustion. For aconite cake moxibustion, grind a suitable amount of aconite into fine powder, mix it with a little white lotus powder or flour (to enhance stickiness), and knead it into a cake about 0.3-0.6 cm thick. Let it dry slightly, then pierce several holes in the middle and apply it to the affected area for moxibustion. Another method is to mix 3 parts of raw aconite, 2 parts of cinnamon, and 1 part of cloves into a fine powder, mix it with honey, and make it into a 0.5 cm thick cake. Pierce several holes in it and apply it to the affected area for moxibustion.
4. Onion barrier moxibustion: Cut the onion into slices 0.3-0.5 cm thick or mash the white part into a paste. Apply it to the navel or the surrounding area, or apply it to the affected area, then ignite the moxa stick for moxibustion. The moxibustion should be done until the patient feels warm and comfortable internally, without any burning sensation. Generally, 5-10 moxa sticks are suitable for moxibustion.
5. Chinese chive barrier moxibustion: Take a suitable amount of Chinese chives with roots, wash them, and mash them into a paste. Make them into round cakes about the size of a 5-cent coin, and apply them to the affected area for moxibustion using the moxa stick.
6. Pepper barrier moxibustion: Take a suitable amount of white pepper powder and mix it with flour to make a cake about 0.3 cm thick. Make a depression in the center and fill it with medicinal powder (such as cloves, musk, cinnamon, etc.). Place the moxa stick on top and perform moxibustion. Moxibustion should be done for 5-7 moxa sticks, until the patient feels warm and comfortable.
7. Fermented black soybean barrier moxibustion: Also known as black soybean moxibustion. Take a suitable amount of black soybeans and mash them into a paste (can be mixed with water or yellow wine). If the wound is large, make the paste 0.6 cm thick and pierce several holes in it. Place it on the wound and ignite the moxa stick for moxibustion.
8. Toad barrier moxibustion: Take a live toad, remove its intestines (or peel off the skin), and place it on the affected area. Ignite the moxa stick for moxibustion.
9. Alum barrier moxibustion: Take 500g of alum (calcined), 3g of pangolin scales (calcined and stored), 8g of Chinese parasol tree fruit (calcined and stored), 5g of frankincense, and 5g of myrrh. Grind the ingredients into fine powder and store in a bottle. When performing moxibustion, take an appropriate amount of the powder, mix it with cold water to make a cake, and apply it to the affected area. Ignite the moxa stick for moxibustion.
10. Croton barrier moxibustion: Also known as croton moxibustion. Take croton seeds (without removing the oil) or mix them with coptis chinensis, mash them into a paste, and fill the navel with it. Place the moxa stick on top and perform moxibustion. The effectiveness of the moxibustion is the criterion, and the number of moxa sticks can vary from 3-5 to as many as 100. After moxibustion, wipe the skin clean with a warm and moist towel to prevent local irritation and blistering.
11. Earthworm barrier moxibustion: Also known as earthworm moxibustion. Take several live earthworms, remove the mud by soaking them in water, and then mash them into a paste. Apply the paste to the affected area and ignite the moxa stick for moxibustion.
12. Dried tangerine peel barrier moxibustion: Take a suitable amount of dried tangerine peel, grind it into fine powder, and mix it with ginger juice to make a paste. Apply the paste to the Zhongwan and Shenque acupoints, then ignite the moxa stick for moxibustion.
13. Soapberry barrier moxibustion: Cut the soapberry into slices and place them on the affected area. Ignite the moxa stick for moxibustion.
14. Earthworm barrier moxibustion: Take several live earthworms, remove the mud by soaking them in water, and then mash them into a paste. Apply the paste to the affected area and ignite the moxa stick for moxibustion.
15. Dried tangerine peel barrier moxibustion: Take a suitable amount of dried tangerine peel, grind it into fine powder, and mix it with ginger juice to make a paste. Apply the paste to the Zhongwan and Shenque acupoints, then ignite the moxa stick for moxibustion.
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