In the rich system of traditional Chinese medicine Moxibustion methods, there are many distinctive traditional techniques, such as Direct Moxibustion, Indirect Moxibustion, Suspended Moxibustion, Moxibustion with Tools, etc. They carry the health-preserving wisdom of thousands of years and help people get rid of diseases and keep fit. Today, we will introduce Direct Moxibustion and Indirect Moxibustion.

Direct Moxibustion:

Direct Moxibustion is a method in which moxa cones are directly placed on the skin of human Acupoints for Moxibustion. During the operation, moxa cones made of pure moxa wool are accurately placed on the selected Acupoints and ignited for Moxibustion. When the Moxa Cone burns, the warm stimulation penetrates the skin and directly reaches the meridians, zang-fu organs, just like lighting a "small healthy flame" in the body.

It is characterized by relatively strong stimulation intensity and deep penetration of heat. For some chronic and stubborn diseases, such as deficient-cold stomachache and chronic diarrhea, under the operation of professional doctors, it can warm and unblock the meridians and dispel cold pathogens with the help of strong warmth. However, Direct Moxibustion will leave Moxibustion marks on the skin, and may even cause blisters and scabs. It has high requirements for the accuracy of operation and the tolerance of patients, and must be carried out under professional guidance

Indirect Moxibustion（Moxibustion with a protective barrier）

Indirect Moxibustion refers to Moxibustion with a layer of substance between the Moxa Cone and the skin. This "medium" brings subtle changes to Moxibustion. The common types are as follows:

Ginger-separated Moxibustion: Fresh ginger is cut into thin slices, pierced with holes, placed on Acupoints, and Moxa Cones are placed on top and ignited. Ginger is warm in nature and pungent in taste, which can dispel cold, relieve exterior symptoms, warm the middle energizer and stop vomiting. Combined with the heat of Moxibustion, it has a significant effect on headache, vomiting caused by wind-cold cold, and stomach discomfort due to spleen and stomach deficiency cold.

Garlic-separated Moxibustion: Slices of single-clove garlic are used to separate the Acupoints. Garlic is pungent and warm in nature, with the functions of detoxifying, killing insects, reducing swelling and resolving masses. It is often used for scrofula (such as lymph node tuberculosis), initial stage of sores and ulcers. With the help of Moxibustion, the efficacy of garlic is sent into the meridians to play a synergistic role.

Medicated Cake-separated Moxibustion: Traditional Chinese medicines are made into medicated cakes (such as Aconite Cake, etc.) and placed between the Moxa Cone and the skin. The medicated cakes are formulated according to the disease. For example, Aconite Cake warms the kidney and helps Yang, and has a magical effect on treating cold pain in the waist and knees caused by kidney-Yang deficiency. During Moxibustion, the medicinal Qi penetrates with the warmth, realizing the dual conditioning of medicine and Moxibustion.

Salt-separated Moxibustion: Pure salt is mostly filled in the umbilicus (Shenque Point) for Moxibustion. Salt can conduct heat, allowing the heat to evenly penetrate into the abdomen. For acute diseases such as acute abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea, cold limbs, etc., it can quickly warm Yang and rescue adverse Qi, dispel cold and relieve pain, just like covering the abdomen with a "warm energy blanket".

Direct Moxibustion and Indirect Moxibustion are traditional treasures of traditional Chinese medicine Moxibustion. Direct Moxibustion drives away pathogens with "direct impact", while Indirect Moxibustion enhances efficacy with "media assistance". No matter which one is chosen, it should be applied reasonably according to physical constitution and symptoms.