Moxibustion is a form of heat therapy in which a dired plant called Moxa (derived from mugwort) is burned near the surface of the skin. Moxa is known to help with colds, chronic sinus issues, arthritis, digestive problems, and to ease pain and tenderness from healed scars.

Moxa can be placed on the skin with tape, on the skin with a steel container or held above the area of treatment. Depending on the type of Moxa used, patients will let the physician know when the Moxa is “hot”, where it is then removed. Different locations of the body and different needs will alter how long before the patient feels “hot”. Some can feel it as soon as a couple of minutes, others it can take up to 20 minutes.

Moxa does emit smoke and odor. The odor unfortunately does resemble the smell of marijuana. For this reason all moxa treatments are performed at the end of the day.