By Chia Chia Cheng, L.Ac., Dip. OM, CNFM
Happy Chinese New Year! This is the Year of the Ox.
Many patients have ask me what moxa does. Moxa is an herb that has been dried for topical use. The same plant (artemisia vulgaris) is prepared for internal use. Moxa has the following benefits:
- Warms
- Disperses
- Tonifies
- Circulates
I have been using moxa since I began practicing Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in 2001. While working in my uncle’s clinic, I saw how patients benefited when their treatment included moxa. I wanted to bring this tradition to my practice.
Performing moxibustion is time consuming. And tricky. I have a hole in my graduate school table caused by a fallen moxa ball. Seeing that burn mark reminds me of how far I have progressed as a practitioner in two decades of practice.
The smoke produced by some forms of moxa can be overwhelming to the senses. My uncle claims that 50 years of inhaling moxa smoke has strengthened his lungs. “I don’t have any lung probles.” (He leaves the “m” sound out when he pronounces “problems.”)
In my practice I use a type of moxa that yields no smoke and very little odor. The only smoke comes from the incense I use to light the moxa.
These days I am using moxa mainly to balance your nervous system. Many patients show up with a high nervous vibration (Sympathetic Dominance). You are familiar with this state as fight, flight, or freeze. When in a state of Sympathetic Dominance, digestion, sleep and mood are primarily affected.
Last week I had a new patient come to see me. She could hardly stand up because of her low back pain. She walked into my office gingerly.
I added moxa to treat the sciatica. She texted me a few hours later to say she felt a 60% improvement. That night she slept through the night for the first time in 6 days!
I love burning moxa during a session. It’s a meditation. I am intentional with the healing I offer. The smell connects me with my uncle, who continues to be my mentor to this day.
When we work together you’ll get a little extra in the details I put into our session. It’s time to add some intentional healing to your wellness routine.
I am ready to receive you.
