Karen W. Allan - Moxibustion: The Productive Heat

Moxibustion

The Productive Heat

Moxibustion is a therapy that is part of traditional Chinese medicine that applies heat by stimulating specific points on the body and involves the burning of leaves a burning. The most commonly used in moxibustion is vulgaris Mugwort. Sagebrush leaves are cured, dried, and crushed in a mortar. Fiber obtained from this plant is yellow and to be sieved is separated from the fleece of the moxa from stems. The most prominent principle is its oil, whose smell is pleasant and aromatic and whose taste is bitter.

Moxibustion is officially described for the first time in the Treaty Huangdi nei jing, which translates as a classic book of internal medicine, which was written between the years 475 BC to 221 ad (East the first written record of the existence of the technique.) However, the moxibustion would have certainly developed beforehand). The Treaty of Medicina Interna of Amarillo Emperador is divided into two parts, Suwen and Lingshu, the book describes basic theories of Chinese medicine, such as the five elements, yin and yang, meridians, etc. Subsequently, there were other writings notably the illustrated manual of points of acupuncture and Moxibustion, written in the year 1026 A.D.

"All blockage or stagnation of Qi is generator of shocks that it can be expressed both in the physical and the psychic and spiritual".

Currently shown a marked tendency to the development of illnesses resulting from the disturbance of the dynamics of the energy (Qi), which is the main alteration pathophysiological which manifests as a result of the emotional alterations.

This therapy is used by almost all acupuncturists and is closely related to the history of acupuncture. Chinese physicians used it to warm regions and acupuncture points with the intention of stimulating the circulation of blood and Qi. It is intended to counter the cold and moisture in the body and is considered especially effective in the treatment of chronic problems and symptoms of "deficiency" and weakness. The moxa can add new energy to the body and can treat conditions of deficiency or excess. Regain balance is to recover the unit Yin/Yang, back to the root is to find rest and vacuum where life flows permanently.

The use of the heat acquired a considerable efficiency when using a very small and very hot focus on very specific places of the body: acupuncture points.

Moxibustion involves several techniques and the purpose of each is similar; your choice depends on the location of treatment and the intensity of the stimulus that you want or need to exercise:

Moxibustion with cigars. Mugwort is pressed in the form of cigar and wrapped in a specially treated paper which are ignited at one end and is directed on the item chosen (applying 4 cm. skin) or on the area to be treated, then it is moved slowly, approaching it so that the heat gets in contact with the skin.

The correct distance is that produces a feeling nice and not burn. If the heat is too intense we should remove the moxa, blisters may occur in the skin. The moxa should be nice. It should be applied on the well dry skin. This proximity of heat stimulates points, relaxes, stimulates the flow of energy, balances and harmonizes the energy-blood circulation.

Moxibustion with cones. The Mugwort plant is pressed in the form of small cones and these are placed on certain acupuncture points, (are usually placed on slices of garlic or ginger). Then light to transmit heat from coals to the patient's body.

With warm needle Moxibustion. Small portions of Artemis on one end of the needle of acupuncture are placed to then click on the point to be treated. Then turns the Artemis and the heat is transmitted to the body through the needle.

Moxibustion with Reionki. It requires the use of Reionkis (instruments with one tube inside another). Mugwort is placed on the inner tube or sticks of incense, medicinal, while abroad is that comes into contact with the patient to not receive heat directly. There are different techniques of application being more streams the application of Reionkis on a point or rub on air more extensive.

This method also known as Thermie, deserves special mention (Japanese Dr. Kinitsu Ito invented this technique in 1929). It summarizes the principles of moxibustion (technique of Chinese medicine that deals with heat acupuncture points), Shiatsu (Japanese massage), and aromatherapy.

Within the reionkis are placed incense sticks composed of seven different medicinal plants that are consumed slowly. While the incense is consuming, the therapist slides the reionkis on the skin of the person according to the meridians of Chinese medicine and the musculature.

After years of research, Dr. Kinitsu Ito found the exact composition of the incense for Thermie therapy, as well as optimal heat for this exercise.

Dr. Ito called Tokanetsu (nutritive energy) to this kind of heat, which combines the following elements:

Heat-heat is needed to activate the general metabolism and improve the nervous system, influencing the mental relaxation

Mechanical-is the stimulus that provides with the Reionki (an instrument of this therapy) massage

Radiant-when incense is lit produces similar infrared rays radiation

Chemist-incense aroma acts through the stimulation of olfactory, reassuring the mind.

This technique, in turn, gathers itself:

• Massage, activating blood and lymphatic circulation.
• The pressures of Shiatsu, influencing the meridians.
• The principles of Moxibustion.
• The beneficial influence of aromatherapy.

Benefits of Moxibustion

At a local level:

• Disorders in joints (such as osteoarthritis or arthritis).
• Disorders resulting from the cold or moisture (back stiffness).

At a broader level:

• Stimulate internal yang of the body (fatigue).
• Regulate the digestive system (nausea, digestion).
• Regulate the female reproductive system (disorders in menstruation) and help hot flashes during menopause.
• Therapy with moxibustion applied for one or two weeks to gilts with the fetus of buttocks in the thirty third week of pregnancy, produces an increase in movements of the fetus and, in some cases, arrives to change the position of buttocks to the head.
• Regulating spleen-Qi (stress, tired, fatigue of the arms and legs, need to sleep).
• Increased production of white blood cells, red blood cells and hemoglobin.
• Improvement in the time of coagulation and generation capacity of antibodies.

Apparently, both Chinese scientists as foreigners have found that moxibustion strengthens the immune system, regulates the functions of internal organs, stimulates metabolism and produces an improvement in the composition of the blood (appreciable increase of red blood cells, hemoglobin and white blood cells, as well as the intensification of phagocytosis), all of which delays aging and prolong life.

In general terms, moxibustion seems to achieve raise the immune system and, consequently, promote a welfare state the patient already from the first application.

Although initially don't register modifications at the biochemical level, the treatment contributes to the improvement of the quality of life of all patients without collateral or traumatic effects.

MOXIBUSTION IS AND WHAT ARE ITS BENEFITS

Although it is not so well known in the West, the art of moxibustion plays an important role in the traditional medicine of Japan. Does moxibustion? Moxibustion is a form of heat therapy that burning dry grass "Artemis" (Artemisia vulgaris), near the surface of the skin to stimulate specific acupuncture points and to activate the natural response of healing in the body.

The use of moxibustion is at least as old as acupuncture, with records of the practice that dates back to many centuries before Christ in China and Japan, the word (or character) of acupuncture actually includes the word for moxibustion, which illustrates how closely linked are these two modes. In accordance with classical texts, moxibustion and acupuncture are supported, each of them enhances the effects of the other.