The Evolution of Moxibustion: From Moxa Sticks to Medicated Moxa Sticks

December 23, 2023

Moxibustion with moxa stick, also known as moxa roll moxibustion, refers to a method of moxibustion in which moxa wool is wrapped in paper to form a long cylindrical shape. One end is ignited and used to treat acupoints or affected areas. The earliest record of moxibustion with moxa stick can be found in "Shou Yu Shen Fang" by Zhu Quan in the Ming Dynasty. Later, certain drugs were added to the moxa wool, known as "Lei Huo Shen Zhen" or "Tai Yi Shen Zhen," etc. For example, "Lei Huo Zhen" is recorded in "Compendium of Materia Medica" for treating stubborn paralysis and acute pain; "Bai Fa Shen Zhen" is mentioned in "Selected Good Formulas from Zhong Fu Tang" for treating back pain, hernia, abscess, and decubitus ulcers. It has evolved into two categories in modern times: pure moxa stick and medicated moxa stick. Pure moxa stick, also known as clear moxa stick, refers to the use of pure moxa wool rolled in thin cotton paper, measuring 20 cm in length and 1.7 cm in diameter. Each stick weighs about 30g (with 24g of moxa wool) and can burn for about 1 hour. Medicated moxa stick, also known as herbal moxa stick, is made by adding herbal powders (6g per stick) to moxa wool before rolling. There are various prescriptions for the herbal powders, with common ingredients including cinnamon, dried ginger, clove, magnolia bark, pubescent angelica root, asarum, white atractylodes, realgar, aucklandia, myrrh, frankincense, and Sichuan pepper, among others.

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