Moxibustion - What is it & Why might it be used during your treatment.

What is it?

Moxibustion is a modality used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). A practitioner burns the dried leaves of the herb mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) near (or in some styles directly on) the skin at

specific body points.

Why might it be used during your treatment?

Moxibustion is often used in treatments when there is a need to warm the channels. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), cold, whether from environmental exposure, injury, overuse, or internal imbalance can slow or obstruct the movement of qi and blood within the body’s channels.

When qi and blood do not flow smoothly, stagnation can develop. According to TCM theory, stagnation is a common source of pain and dysfunction, summarized by the saying: “Where there is no free flow, there is pain.” This may present as aching, stiffness, tightness, or a sense of heaviness in the body.

Moxibustion works by applying gentle, penetrating heat to specific acupuncture points. This warmth helps to dispel cold, improve circulation, and encourage the smooth flow of qi and blood through the channels. As circulation improves and stagnation resolves, pain may decrease and movement may feel easier and more comfortable.

Beyond pain relief, moxibustion is also traditionally used to support the immune system. In TCM, this is described as strengthening Wei Qi, or defensive qi. Wei Qi acts as the body’s protective layer, helping to guard against external pathogens and supporting the body’s ability to adapt to environmental and physical stress.

Moxibustion is often recommended for individuals who tend to feel cold, experience fatigue, get sick frequently, or have difficulty recovering from stress, illness, or injury. By warming and tonifying the body, particularly the yang and qi systems, moxibustion is thought to help build resilience and support overall vitality.

From a modern perspective, the heat and stimulation provided by moxibustion may influence the nervous, circulatory, and immune systems. Research suggests that thermal stimulation can improve local blood flow, regulate inflammatory responses, and promote relaxation within the nervous system. All of which play a role in supporting immune function. For this reason, moxibustion is commonly used as a supportive therapy during periods of chronic stress, low energy, or seasonal transitions, rather than as a treatment for acute illness.

What Science is saying

In a randomized controlled trial with 150 knee osteoarthritis patients, those receiving true moxibustion experienced significant improvements in general health and vitality (quality of life measures) versus sham moxibustion at 6 and 12 weeks.

Ren X, Yao C, Wu F, Li Z, Xing J, Zhang H. Effectiveness of moxibustion treatment in quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015;2015:569523. doi: 10.1155/2015/569523. Epub 2015 Jan 21. PMID: 25688277; PMCID: PMC4320789.

This controlled study found that moxibustion improved fatigue symptoms by influencing the autonomic nervous system, particularly measures associated with parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) activity. Interestingly, while acupuncture showed more immediate nervous system effects, moxibustion demonstrated stronger and longer-lasting regulation over time, supporting its use in treatments aimed at calming the nervous system and improving resilience to stress.

Shu Q, Wang H, Litscher D, Wu S, Chen L, Gaischek I, Wang L, He W, Zhou H, Litscher G, Liang F (2016) Acupuncture and moxibustion have different effects on fatigue by regulating the autonomic nervous system: a pilot controlled clinical trial. Sci Rep 25(6):37846