Moxibustion can be divided into direct moxibustion and indirect moxibustion.
1. Preparation of Moxa
(1) Handmade method: For small moxa, twist the mugwort into a suitable size and shape it into a round ball. Hold it between the thumb and index finger of the left hand, with the index finger on top and the thumb on the bottom. Then use the thumb and index finger of the right hand to compress the round ball into a triangular-shaped moxa with a pointed top and flat bottom. This method is simple and convenient. For medium and large moxa, place the mugwort on a flat surface and use the thumb, index finger, and middle finger to pinch and rotate, shaping the mugwort into a cone with a pointed top and flat bottom. The mugwort should be tightly packed, stable when placed, and burn from weak to strong, making it easier for patients to tolerate and less likely to explode. The size of the moxa can be determined according to the treatment needs.
(2) Moxa maker method: The moxa maker has a conical cavity with a small hole below it. Place the mugwort in the cavity of the moxa maker and use a metal rod to press it tightly into a cone shape. Then remove it and it becomes a moxa. Moxa made with a moxa maker is tightly packed, uniform in size, and easier to use.
2. Direct Moxibustion
This method involves placing the moxa directly on the skin at the acupoints and burning it. It can be divided into suppurative moxibustion and non-suppurative moxibustion.
(1) Suppurative Moxibustion: Also known as scar moxibustion, it is a moxibustion method that directly places large moxa on the acupoints, causing aseptic suppurative reaction in the local tissues. This suppurative reaction caused by burning is called "moxa sore" in ancient times.
Procedure: ① Select the appropriate body position and accurately locate the acupoint;
② Apply some garlic juice or Vaseline on the acupoint to adhere the moxa, and ignite the top of the moxa with an incense stick;
③ After the moxa burns out, remove the ash and replace it with a new moxa;
④ After moxibustion for 5-7 days, the local skin at the acupoint will gradually develop aseptic suppurative reaction. Apply ointment to the acupoint and cover it with a dry dressing;
⑤ After moxibustion for 5-7 days, if there is a large amount of secretions at the moxibustion site, rinse it with saline to prevent other fungal infections. After about 30-40 days, the scab of the moxa sore will fall off, leaving scars in the local area.
(2) Non-suppurative Moxibustion: This method uses small moxa the size of a grain of wheat to directly moxibustion the acupoints, without causing suppurative reactions.
Procedure: ① Select the appropriate body position and accurately locate the acupoint;
② Apply some garlic juice or Vaseline on the acupoint to adhere the medium-sized moxa, and ignite the top of the moxa with an incense stick;
③ When the moxa burns close to the skin, use tweezers to move the unburned moxa away;
④ Repeat moxibustion for 3-7 times, the local skin at the acupoint will appear flushed but not broken.
3. Indirect Moxibustion
Also known as barrier moxibustion, it is a method of moxibustion that uses certain substances as a barrier between the moxa and the skin. This method has a dual effect of moxibustion and medication, with a milder heat and usually no blistering. Indirect moxibustion includes ginger moxibustion, garlic moxibustion, salt moxibustion, and aconite moxibustion.
(1) Ginger Moxibustion
Cut fresh ginger into slices about 0.3cm thick, pierce several holes with a needle, and place them on the acupoint. Ignite large or medium-sized moxa and place it in the center of the ginger slice for moxibustion. If the patient feels a burning sensation, lift the ginger slice away from the skin for a moment and then put it back for moxibustion. Repeat this process until the local skin becomes flushed and moist. Generally, moxibustion is performed for 5-10 times each session.
(2) Garlic Moxibustion
Garlic moxibustion can be divided into garlic slice moxibustion and garlic paste moxibustion.
Garlic slice moxibustion involves cutting a single-headed garlic into thin slices about 0.3cm thick, piercing them with a needle, and placing them on the affected area or acupoint for moxibustion. Use large or medium-sized moxa to ignite and moxibustion in the center of the garlic slice. Each moxibustion is performed for 4-5 times, and new slices need to be replaced for continued moxibustion;
Garlic paste moxibustion involves mashing the garlic into a paste and applying it to the affected area or acupoint. Then place a layer of mugwort or moxa on top of the garlic paste and ignite it for moxibustion. For both methods of garlic moxibustion, moxibustion should be performed for 7 times at each acupoint, with a flushed skin as the degree of moxibustion.
(3) Salt Moxibustion
Fill the belly button with pure dry salt, level it with the navel hole, and place a large moxa on top for moxibustion. If the patient feels a burning sensation, replace the moxa. Alternatively, place ginger slices on top of the salt for moxibustion, and when the patient feels a burning sensation, lift the ginger slices to retain the residual heat until the moxa burns out completely. Generally, moxibustion is performed for 3-7 times. For acute diseases, moxibustion can be performed more frequently without limiting the number of sessions.
(4) Aconite Moxibustion
Aconite moxibustion can be divided into aconite slice moxibustion and aconite cake moxibustion.
Aconite slice moxibustion involves soaking aconite in water, cutting it into slices about 0.3-0.5cm thick, piercing it with a needle, and moxibustion on the area to be treated (similar to ginger moxibustion);
Aconite cake moxibustion involves grinding raw aconite into fine powder, mixing it with yellow wine to make a cake of moderate size, about 0.4cm thick, and piercing it with a needle. Place it on the acupoint and ignite it with a large moxa. After the aconite cake is burnt, replace it with a new one. Moxibustion is continued until the skin becomes warm and the local area appears flushed. Moxibustion is performed once a day.
