MOXA
Moxa, or artemis vulgaris, is a grassy herb used in Chinese Medicine. It can be taken internally in an herbal formula; but more often it is burned on top of an acupuncture needle or just on top of the skin at an acupuncture point. A protective layer of burn cream is applied to the skin so that the moxa does not burn it, yet the therapeutic effects can still take place. Moxa can smell a bit like marijuana, but is not at all the same plant or even close to it. This particular plant was chosen to use on the body because when it burns, the heat goes deeply and along a focused line inside the body. Other herbs when burned diffuse the heat just along the surface. The properties of moxa are also very healing. There are different grades of purity of the moxa. The more pure, the less smoky it burns and the hotter it burns. Different grades are chosen according to the patient’s needs. Moxa is used for deep warming to areas of the body, such as arthritic joints, the lower abdomen, or low back.