Moxibustion: General physiological effects for patients with Cancer, Fertility Issues, Breech Presentation and Rheumatoid Arthritis
By Dr. Claire Rowat
“As if the sun were penetrating deep into your tissues and supporting your being”
Moxibustion or “Moxa” is a soothing and safe Chinese Medicine herbal therapy that has been part of acupuncture practice for thousands of years. Moxa is made from the Mugwort plant (artemesia vulgaris) or ‘ai ye’ in Chinese. When smoked, it helps to warm the body and produces infrared radiation penetrating into the deepest level of the tissues. This thermal effect and special wavelength of light stimulates the production of both red and white blood cells. The goal of moxibustion is to move qi (energy) and blood while invigorating the tissues. This herbal modality is known to enhance physiological and immune functions and is a perfect therapy to support the immune system during the colder seasons. Below are some examples of the uses of moxibustion:
East Asian practitioners use moxa to help many patients who are trying to regulate their menstrual cycle and support their fertility. Similar to a diuretic or a moderate stimulant, moxa can help to increase blood flow especially to areas such as the pelvis or the abdomen. Later in pregnancy, if the baby is in a breech position, moxibustion is used on a point on the pinky toe to help increase fetal movement and turn the baby head-down to prepare for delivery!
Patients undergoing Chemotherapy, who experience subsequent Chemotherapy-induced Leukopenia (decreased white-blood cell count), can use moxa to help counteract these effects. Some small studies have also suggested that moxa can help reduce the gastrointestinal side effects from cancer treatments and improve quality of life.
The last set of clinical cases that are most commonly improved by moxa is arthritis. In addition to acupuncture, moxa can be advantageous to those experiencing Rheumatoid Arthritis by reducing the inflammatory factors that causes the joint pain and deformation.
Moxibustion Uses:
Rheumatic pain and joint pain
Asthma
Diarrhea
Arthritis
Vomiting
Slow digestion
Abdominal pain
Gynecological disorders
Menstruation regulation
Excess fluid retention
Hypothyroidism
If you are interested in learning more about moxibustion, please ask your provider and we would love to use this therapy to support your care as we enter into the fall season!
References:
Jin H, Feng Y, Xiang Y, Zhang Y, Du W, Wasan HS, Ruan S, Huang D. Efficacy and Safety of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Therapy on Chemotherapy-Induced Leukopenia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2020 Oct 30;2020:5691468. doi: 10.1155/2020/5691468. PMID: 33178318; PMCID: PMC7647756.
Zhang HW, Lin ZX, Cheung F, Cho WC, Tang JL. Moxibustion for alleviating side effects of chemotherapy or radiotherapy in people with cancer. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018 Nov 13;11(11):CD010559. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD010559.pub2. PMID: 30480754; PMCID: PMC6517257.
Miranda-Garcia M, Domingo Gómez C, Molinet-Coll C, Nishishinya B, Allaoui I, Gómez Roig MD, Goberna-Tricas J. Effectiveness and Safety of Acupuncture and Moxibustion in Pregnant Women with Noncephalic Presentation: An Overview of Systematic Reviews. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2019 Dec 3;2019:7036914. doi: 10.1155/2019/7036914. PMID: 31885661; PMCID: PMC6914967.
Liao C, Tao S, Xiong Y, Dai J, Bai Y, Wang X, Li Y, Wu P. The Effects and Potential Mechanisms of Moxibustion for Rheumatoid Arthritis-Related Pain: A Randomized, Controlled Trial. J Pain Res. 2023 May 26;16:1739-1749. doi: 10.2147/JPR.S408814. PMID: 37261035; PMCID: PMC10228586.