Moxibustion is one of the oldest healing techniques in Traditional Chinese Medicine, with a history of more than ten thousand years — predating the development of acupuncture needles. Still widely practiced in China and other parts of Asia, it is used in both clinical settings and at home. The Chinese term for acupuncture, 针灸 (zhēn jiǔ), literally means “needles and moxa,” underscoring the central role of this therapy.

This therapy uses moxa, a healing herb made from dried mugwort leaves. When lit, moxa produces a deep, penetrating warmth that covers specific acupuncture points, meridians, or larger body areas to dispel internal cold.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, cold accumulation — from iced drinks, raw foods, barefoot walking, or exposure to cold environments — can cause stagnation of energy and blood flow, contributing to pain, menstrual irregularities, and fertility challenges.

The warming sensation of moxibustion is soothing and deeply relaxing. Many patients describe it as their “favorite part of the treatment,” and even children enjoy it. In my clinic, I often combine moxibustion with acupuncture to enhance and accelerate healing. I also use it as a stand-alone therapy for pediatric conditions such as bed-wetting, asthma, and digestive issues, with consistently remarkable results.