Functions of Moxibustion

To warm meridians and expel cold. Abnormal flow of qi and blood in the body is usually resulted from cold and heat. Cold causes slow flow or even stagnation of qi, and heat results in rapid flow of qi. " Normal heat activates blood circulation and cold impedes its smooth flow. " Since stagnation of qi and blood is often relieved by warming up the qi, moxibustion is the right way to generate the smooth flow of qi with the help of the ignited moxa wool. In Chapter 75 of Miraculous Pivot it says, " If stagnation of blood in the vessels cannot be treated by warming - up with moxibustion, it cannot be treated by acupuncture. " In Chapter 48 of Miraculous Pivot it states, " Depressed symptoms should be treated by moxibustion alone, because depression is due to blood stagnation caused by cold, which should be dispersed by moxibustion. " It is easy to understand that moxibustion functions to warm up the meridians and promote blood circulation. Therefore, it is mostly used in clinic to treat diseases caused by cold - dampness and persistent diseases caused by pathogenic cold penetrating into the deep muscles.

To induce the smooth flow of qi and blood. Another function of moxibustion is to induce qi and blood to flow upward or downward. For example, moxibustion is given to K1 to treat the disorders caused by excess in the upper part and deficiency in the lower part of the body and liver yang symptoms due to upward flowing of yang qi so as to lead the qi and blood to go downward. In Chapter 64 of Miraculous Pivot, it is pointed out that " when there is an excess of qui in the upper portion, the qi should be brought downward by needling the points in the lower portion. " If the disorder is due to deficiency in the upper portion and excess in the lower portion of the body and due to sinking of qi caused by deficiency, such as prolapse of anus, prolapse of uterus, prolonged diarrheoa, etc, moxibustion to Baihui ( Du 20 ) may lead yang qi to flow upward.

To strengthen yang from collapse. Yang qi is the foundation of the human body. If it is in a sufficient condition, a man lives a long life ; if it is lost, death occurs. Yang disorder is due to excess of yin, leading to cold, deficiency and exhaustion of the primary qi characterized by a fatal pulse. At this moment moxibustion applied can reinforce yang qi and prevent collapse. In Chapter 73 of Miraculous Pivot it says, " Deficiency of both yin and yang should be treated by moxibustion. "

To prevent diseases and keep healthy. In Precious Prescriptions appears the following description : " Anyone who travels in the southwest part of China, such as Yunnan and Sichuan provinces, should have moxibustion at two or three points to prevent sores or boils and to avoid pernicious malaria, epidemic diseases and pestilence. " It is often said, " If one wants ( S 36 ) to be healthy, you should often have moxibustion over the point Zusanii ( S 36 ) " . In Notes on Bian Que ' s Moxibustion, it says, " When a healthy man often has moxibustiol to the points of Guangyuan ( Ren 4 ) , Qihai ( Ren 6 ) Mingmen ( Du 4 ) and Zhongwan ( Ren 12 ) , he would live a very long life, at least one hundred years life. " Clinical practice has proved that moxibustion is very much helpful in preventing disease and keeping healthy.