12/15/2025
Moxibustion, or “Moxa” - 灸 jiǔ, is an ancient healing modality over 2000 years old. It plays an important role in medical systems in China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and Mongolia to treat specific points and meridians along the body to mitigate cold, dampness, heat, pain, and improve qi / blood (circulation).
The herb used in moxibustion is called 艾叶 ài yè or mugwort leaf - artemisia vulgaris. Also found throughout Europe and far reaching Western regions, mugwort leaf was utilized in ceremonial rituals, food and beverages.
Dried mugwort leaves are used in moxibustion therapies. Some constitutions call for adding salt to fortify kidney energy, ginger root to fortify spleen / stomach energy, as well as combining various incense such as sandalwood, frankincense and myrrh to enhance the therapeutic and spiritual effects during treatment.
Known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, the fresh variant, 艾草 àicǎo, is added to meals in China, Korea, and Japan for healing and protective benefits such as dispelling cold, dredging collateral channels, and detoxification.
References:
Zhu, R., Li, X., Yan, Z., Chen, C., Zhai, W., Zhang, H., Ma, W., Wang, F.,
Liu, M., & Du, G. (2025). Efficacy and safety of acupuncture with moxibustion for knee osteoarthritis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Systematic Reviews, 14(1), 15. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-025-02762-x
Zhang, R. (2004). History and current state of moxibustion. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2(6), 466–473. https://doi.org/10.3736/jcim20040621
Zhao YB, Zhang Y, Zhang QC, Li HJ, Cui YQ, Xu Z, Jin L, Zhou H, Zhu H. Ancient DNA reveals that the genetic structure of the northern Han Chinese was shaped prior to 3,000 years ago. PLoS One. 2015 May 4;10(5):e0125676. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0125676. PMID: 25938511; PMCID: PMC4418768.
