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MOXIBUSTION IN ACUPUNCTURE THERAPY
Moxibustion is a method of Ancient
Chinese medicine where disease is treated by directly or indirectly
heating the acupuncture points by burning 'Moxa' made from the dried
leaves of the plants
Artemisia Vulgaris : Mogusa pronounced as
'moxa' is the Japanese name of this plant which means burning herbs. We
can simply say that when the 'moxa' is used in Acupuncture Therapy the
method is known as 'Moxibustion'. Moxa is prepared from the leaf of plant
Artemisia Vulgaris.
Artemisia Vulgaris belong to
genera Artemisia. The Artemisia used medicinally by Greecks and
Romans, to expel the intestinal worms and for stomach disorders, The
Arbian and Porsian physiciana used it for the same purpose and probably
introduced in India by them. Artemisia have 280 species Artemisia vulgaris
is one of them. Artemisia vulgaris medicinally used in India,
Europe, China, Vietnam, Combodia, Malaya and Phillipines.
Artemisia vulgaris has different names in different language in India :
| English |
: Fleabane, Indian wormwood, Mother or
Mugwort. |
| Hindi |
: Dona, Majtrai, Mastaru, Nugduna, Gathivana.
|
| Sanskrit |
: Nagadamani, Nilpushpa, Saraparani, Sugundha, Barha,
Barhikusum, Barhipushpa, Granthiparna,
Granthiparnaka Guchhakar, Gutthaka, Kakapushpa, Kukura, Shuka,
Shukabarha, Shukachhhada. |
| Marthi |
: Dhor, Davana, Gathona. |
| Tamil |
: Machibattiri, Taruname, Meerakolondu. |
| Telgu |
: Davanamu, Mashipatri. |
| Malayam |
: Appa. |
| Bengali |
: Nagadona. |
| Kannada |
: Davona, Nangipatri. |
| Uria |
: Doyona,Gonddhomaro, Nagadoyona. |
| Punjab |
: Afsuntin, Banjiru, Buimaderan, Chambra, Punjan, Tarkha,
Tastur, Ubusha. |
| Kashmir |
: Tithwan |
| Dehradun |
: Samri, Sarmi. |
Different names in different
Countries:-
| Japanese |
: Yomogi
|
| Chinese |
: Ai |
| Malaya |
: Ai, Chiai, Kheengai, Kiai, Ngai. |
| Singhali |
: Valkolondu. |
| Russian |
: Cherdonilnik |
| Spanish |
: Artemisia. |
| Duch |
: Rijvoet. |
| French |
: Armoise , Artemise. |
| German |
: Alsei, Beifuse, Bibes, Buck, Roterbock, Wurmtod. |
| Italian |
: Amarella, Canapaccia, |
| Roumanian |
: Pelin negru, Pelinita. |
Important character of Artemisia
vulgaris:
This plant is also known as Artemisia
nilagirica Pamapanini.It belong to family - Composite (Sun flower group).
It is found at hilly places and common in the Dacean hills with more than
average rainfall.
It is found throughout the regions of
India, China,Sri Lanka, Thailand and Java and other temerate regions of
Asia.
It is perennial herb, aromatic and the
average hegiht of the plant is 2-8 ft.
Stem :- It is branched, ribbed, errect and rough.
Leaves :- Older leaves towards the side and younger
leaves towards the upper side. The lower leaves are 5-10 X 2.5-5 cm. long.
Ovate in outline (Broader at the base than the apex) and petiolate (stalk
is present).
Upper leaves are smaller and lanceolate, margin entire,
Pubescent above (with small hair) white tomentese (thick and distinctly
placed hair) beneathe, deeply pinnetisect(incised from margin towards mid
or unequally cuts into segments) with base lobed.
The stalkless flower are arranged in
aspecial manner on the floral axis (region where flower are attached)
known as 'Capitulum or Head'.
Flower are of two
types:
Ray
florets - Female
Disc
florate - Bisexual(both male and female flowers),
all fertile sessile or shortly pediceled (Stalked), heterogamous (bearing
two types of flowers regarding sex viz male and female.
Fruit
- A small, dry, hard one chambered, a little longer than broader, and one
seeded fruit.
Moxibustion was introduced in the Acupuncture therapy
from 1102 to 1106 A.D. The leaves of Artemisia vulgaris are dried
in sunlight and powdered. The soil and sand removed. The powder of these
leaves looks like yellowish - white, soft texture and wool like substance.
The substance or powder is known as 'Moxa' or 'Moxa Wool' or 'Moxa
powder'. When this powder is used in Acupuncture therapy this method is
known as 'Moxibustion'. Moxibustion brings into proper balance of the flow
of YIN and YANG. OIt is scientifically proved that the application of heat
on painful areas is capable of relieving the pain. Moxibustion is also
hased on the same principle.
The powder of the moxa
is used in the following ways :-
1. Powder of Moxa as such used in the form
of cones.
2. Moxa powder is compressed and made like
cigar, known as moxa roll.
3. In the form of capsule,
oral and nasal sprey like modern medicine.
Different
method of 'moxibustion' therapy:
1. Direst
moxibustion:
i. Scarring
moxibustion
ii. Non-scarring moxibustion
2. Indirect
moxibustion
i. Indirect moxibustion with
Ginger.
ii. Indirect moxibustion with
Garlic.
iii. Indirect moxibustion with
Salt.
iv. Moxa ironing.
v. Hot
needle with moxa
vi. Indirect moxibustion with moxa
roll.
Direct Moxibustion
1. Scarring
moxibustion: In this method cones are kept on the Acupuncture points
and then ignited untill the skin burnt.
2. Non-Scarring
moxibustion: In this method moxa cones are directly kept on the
Acupuncture points and ignited but burning of skin in prevented by
removing of moxa cone when skin is very hot.
This
method has a few disadvantages:
1.
Pain
2. Burning of skin leading to blister
formation
3. Burning of
clothes.
4. Infection.
Direct moxibustion has come other beneficial effected like
histetoxin, It is humerel substance produced by burning skin, capable of
increasing the body resistance. Direct moxibustion cures many chronic
diseases like cough, cold, asthma, chronic diarrhoea and
indigestion.
This is a crude method in comparision to indirect
moxibustion, therefore it has been rejected by different Acupuncturist of
the world particularly it has been totally rejected by the Indian
Acupuncture Research and Training Centre, Raipur,
INDIA.
INDIA MOXIBUSTION:
In this method cones are used but it
never comes in touch with skin directly. In between the skin and moxa cone
come barrier is required. The barrier may be ginger, garlic or salt.
Following diseases can be treated by this method i.e. tuberculosis of
lymphnodes, cold abscess of primary state, acute diarrheea, vomiting,
backache and sciatica.
When moxa is burnt on the Acupuncture points it
gives a pungent odour. It is also considered effective in obstructed
condition like painless child birth (Acupuncture delivery) retained
plecenta & mal position & of foetus.
1.
Indirect moxibustion with Ginger :
In this process the
ginger is used as a barrier in between moxa cone and skin. The slicse of
ginger are made by cutting in to thinner pieces, 1 to 2 cm in diameter and
kept on the acupuncture point & moxa cones are kept over it, and
burnt. The Acupuncture points are stimulated by the heat crossing the
barrier ginger. The method is repeated until the skin becomes red and
moist and can be repeated 3 to 5 times until the required therapeutic
results are obtained.
2. Indirect moxibustion
with Garlic :
This method is same
as indirect moxibustion with ginger but in this, insted of ginger, garlic
is kept.
3. Indirect moxibustion with Salt
:
This is mainly
applied over the umbilicus. The common salt (sodium chloride) is filled up
in the umbilicus up to the level of skin and pieces of ginger are kept
over it and moxa cones are ignited. This method is mainly used in
emergemcy cases like acute diarrhoea and vomiting.
4.
Moxa Ironing :
In this method moxa
powder is kept inside the moxa iron and moxa iron is placed over the
acupuncture and Ah-shi points.
5. Hot needling with moxa :
In this method
needles are passed on acupuncture points and a cone of moxa is placed on
the head of the needle and ignited. This has been found most effective in
the cases of acute rheumatic pains.
6. Indirect
moxibustion with moxa roll :
In this method moxa roll is
ignited and kept near to the acupuncture points and Ah-shi points, until
the Heat produced by burning moxa roll is intolerable to the patient. The
process can be continued for 5 to 10 minute on each acupuncture and Ah-shi
points. This method is also known as the "Warming
moxibustion".
In other method to hold the ignited
moxa roll above the points and move it along at the channel to produce the
warmth. This type of moxibustion with moxa roll is also known as the
"Sparrow picking moxibustion".
SUMMARY
'Artemisia vulgaris' is very important
plant. It is found at hilly places. Dried and powdered leaves of this
plant are used in Acupuncture Therapy and method is known as
'Moxibustion'. Moxibustion is used for cough, asthma, chronic diarrhoea,
indigestion. vomiting and sciatica etc.
1.
Moxibustion cannot be used around sense organs or mucus members, on the
joints and hairy parts of the body.
2. Moxibustion is
contraindicated in nervous and mentally retarted patient and very young
childeren.
3. Moxibustion is not advisable for febrile
diseases.
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