Indirect moxibustion, also known as barrier moxibustion or interval moxibustion, is a method of moxibustion that uses other substances to separate the moxa cone and the acupuncture point. This technique helps to prevent skin burns and suppuration, while also combining the effects of the barrier substance and the properties of moxa to achieve greater therapeutic results. There are many types of this method, which are widely used in the treatment of internal, external, gynecological, pediatric, dermatological, and ophthalmological diseases, with good therapeutic effects. Depending on the type of barrier substance used, there are more than 40 specific moxibustion methods.
[Operational Method]
1. Ginger Barrier Moxibustion:
Take a fresh piece of ginger and cut it into slices about 0.3 cm thick (the size depends on the moxibustion site and the size of the moxa cone used). Pierce a few holes in the middle with a needle, place it on the acupuncture point, and ignite the moxa cone for moxibustion. If the patient feels local heat and pain during the moxibustion process, the ginger slice along with the moxa cone can be slightly lifted and then put down again before continuing moxibustion, until the local skin becomes slightly red and moist. Generally, choose 2-3 points for each session, moxibustion 2-3 cones per point, and repeat moxibustion 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 garlic with purple skin and cut it into slices 0.1-0.3 cm thick. Pierce a few holes in the middle with a fine needle, place it on the acupuncture point or affected area, and ignite the moxa cone. After moxibustion with 3-4 cones, the garlic slices can be replaced for further moxibustion. For garlic paste moxibustion, crush fresh garlic into a paste and apply it to the acupuncture point or affected area, and then ignite the moxa cone. Additionally, spread the garlic paste on the spine (from the Dazhui point to the Yaoyu point) with a width of about 2 cm and a thickness of about 0.5 cm. Use mulberry bark paper to secure it, and moxibustion the Dazhui and Yaoyu points with 10 cones. The moxibustion is considered complete when the patient smells garlic in the 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, pierce a few holes in the middle with a needle, place it on the moxibustion site, and ignite the moxa cone. For aconite cake moxibustion, grind aconite into fine powder, mix it with a small amount of white fish powder or flour (for adhesiveness), and knead it into a cake about 0.3-0.6 cm thick. Let it dry slightly, pierce a few holes in the middle with a needle, and apply it to the local 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 cake about 0.5 cm thick. Pierce a few holes in it and moxibustion the local area.
4. Onion Barrier Moxibustion:
Cut the onion into slices 0.3-0.5 cm thick or crush the white part of the onion into a paste. Apply it to the umbilicus or the surrounding area and ignite the moxa cone for moxibustion. The moxibustion should be done until the patient feels warm and comfortable internally, without any burning pain. Generally, 5-10 cones of moxibustion are appropriate.
5. Chinese Chives Barrier Moxibustion:
Take an appropriate amount of Chinese chives with roots, wash them, and crush them into a paste. Make them into coin-shaped cakes similar to a 5-cent coin and apply them to the affected area. Ignite the moxa cone for moxibustion.
6. Pepper Barrier Moxibustion:
Take an appropriate amount of white pepper powder, mix it with flour to make a cake about 0.3 cm thick. Make a hollow in the center and fill it with other medicinal powders such as cloves, musk, and cinnamon. Ignite the moxa cone on top and moxibustion with 5-7 cones per session, based on the feeling of warmth and comfort.
7. Fermented Black Soybean Barrier Moxibustion:
Also known as black soybean moxibustion: take an appropriate amount of fermented black soybeans, crush them into a paste (can be mixed with water or yellow wine). If the wound is large, make the cake about 0.6 cm thick, pierce a few holes in it, and place it on the wound for moxibustion.
8. Toad Barrier Moxibustion:
Take one live toad, gut it (or peel off the skin), and place it on the affected area. Ignite the moxa cone for moxibustion.
9. Alum Barrier Moxibustion:
Use 500g of alum (calcined), 3g of pangolin scales (calcined and stored), 8g of tangerine seed (calcined and stored), and 5g each of frankincense and myrrh. Grind all the herbs into fine powder and store in a bottle. When applying 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 cone for moxibustion.
10. Croton Barrier Moxibustion:
Also known as croton moxibustion: take croton alone (without removing the oil) or use it in combination with coptis, crush it into a paste, and fill it into the umbilicus. Ignite the moxa cone on top for moxibustion. The effectiveness is determined by the patient's condition, with a minimum of 3-5 cones and a maximum of hundreds of cones. 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 crush them into a paste. Mold the paste into a cake and apply it to the affected area. Ignite the moxa cone for moxibustion.
12. Tangerine Peel Barrier Moxibustion:
Take an appropriate amount of tangerine peel, grind it into fine powder, and mix it with ginger juice to make a paste. Apply it to the Zhongwan and Shénquè points, and ignite the moxa cone for moxibustion.
13. Soapberry Barrier Moxibustion:
Cut the soapberry into slices and place them on the affected area. Ignite the moxa cone for moxibustion.
14. Earthworm Barrier Moxibustion:
Take several live earthworms, remove the mud by soaking them in water, and then crush them into a paste. Mold the paste into a cake and apply it to the affected area. Ignite the moxa cone for moxibustion.
15. Tangerine Peel Barrier Moxibustion:
Take an appropriate amount of tangerine peel, grind it into fine powder, and mix it with ginger juice to make a paste. Apply it to the Zhongwan and Shénquè points, and ignite the moxa cone for moxibustion.
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