Moxibustion is an ancient treatment commonly found in Traditional Chinese Medicine but historically used in many East Asian countries and now popular across the world. The practise centres around burning moxa, a dried version of the herb mugwort (Artemisia). You can easily adopt this treatment into an existing acupuncture practice, but you might’ve found yourself stuck on which type of moxa to use. Cones? Sticks? Loose?
In this post, we’ll be looking at moxa cones for moxibustion,
What are Moxa Cones?
Unlike loose moxa, cones are a compacted form of mugwort, compressed into a cone shape. This allows them to sit stably on the skin whilst burning from the tip downwards. In reality, moxa ‘cones’ are frequently rolls, with a uniform shape. Some practitioners also form their own moxa cones out of loose moxa; easily done by simply compressing the moxa between your fingers and shaping it into a cone!
What Do You Use Them For?
Cones can be used as direct and indirect forms of moxibustion. Direct means the moxa will touch the skin and indirect means that it won’t. When using cones directly, the cones are often sat on something: a sticky pad if it’s Stick-On Moxa or a preparation such as ground salt. In other cases, the skin will be lightly wetted and the moxa placed on top.
Cones can also be placed onto the end of acupuncture needles and used simultaneously with needle treatment. Many moxa cones can be used as either stick-on or acupuncture needles cones, allowing you to use the same type for both applications.
What Ingredients Should You Expect?
By and large, the best moxa cones will be made from 100% pure mugwort. Moxa is highly regarded for purity, so avoid buying moxa that has anything in it other than mugwort. The exception is Charcoal Moxa Cones, which contain other ingredients that allow them to be baked and hardened. Extra ingredients in charcoal moxa include herbs and clay.
Do Moxibustion Cones Produce Smoke?
Not if you buy smokeless cones! Traditional moxa has quite a strong smell and produces smoke, which is often not appropriate for modern clinics. Smokeless cones have been compacted and pre-cooked, allowing subsequent burnings to produce either very little smoke or no smoke at all. This also reduces or eliminates the smell.
A Major Benefits to Moxa Cones
The main reason cones are so fantastic is that they can be placed on acupoints and left there throughout the treatment duration, often burning for around 20 minutes. This allows you to move around, place other cones or leave your patient to relax. With indirect moxa, you must normally be holding the stick close to the affected area, somewhat limiting your movements.
Here at AcuPrime, we stock a wide range of moxibustion equipment and moxa cones. From charcoal cones to stick-on rolls, take a look through our range and you’ll never look back!
