Smudge Cleansing & Moxibustion
Smoke cleansing, or smudging, is the ancient practice of burning plants to clear stagnant energy and restore balance to a person or a space. We use this often as it can powerfully aid the acupuncture treatment. We also sometimes use moxibustion to stimulate acupuncture points, infuse warmth, and stimulate cellular activity.
Smudge Cleansing
Smoke cleansing, or smudging, is the common name given to the practice of intentionally and respectfully burning fragrant plants for a therapeutic purpose. At times there is stagnant energy that needs moving, while at other times herbal fragrances can create a potent container of safety that helps create space for a particular healing process to unfold. The herbal smudge ally is selected carefully by feeling into the energetic space and noticing what is needed in the field. Burning herbs also marks a ritual process of stepping into sacred space, into the healing experience.
Moxibustion
Moxibustion (moxa) is the burning of the herb Mugwort in a variety of forms to stimulate acupuncture points, infuse warmth, and deeply nourish vitality. Historically moxa is equally as important as acupuncture, though it’s typically used less in most clinics today. Moxa does far more than simply warm the skin, its profound healing powers results from the combination of heat, unique infrared frequencies that stimulate cellular activity, and it’s penetrating essential oils.
There is an entire art to moxa treatments, it can be burned over the skin in a compressed stick, on the skin with a protective barrier, on top of acupuncture needles for penetrating heat through the needles, and more. Moxa ranges from very small amounts that stimulate an acupuncture point to huge amounts to deeply infuse warmth. Treatments are considered more effective when acupuncture and moxa are used together, though moxa isn’t always necessary.
Acupuncture by its nature is depleting, it moves the patient’s qi to elicit changes. Moxa instead is nourishing as it infuses warmth and energy to the body from the outside. Moxa offers deep penetrating heat that is unlike anything else, it’s especially great in winter, and most people find it very enjoyable.
It can be helpful to use in the treatment of children who are often nervous about needles. They enjoy the feeling and warmth of the moxa while we are still able to stimulate their acupuncture points. The response is usually not as strong as acupuncture, but sometimes this is all that is needed for children who have more sensitive systems. Equally it can be utilized when anyone is deficient and needs some supplemental energy. Moxibustion has been shown in clinical studies to increase the red blood cell count and promote healing and it has been used extensively as a core part of preventative healthcare in many countries.
Moxa can be quite smoky and as such it’s used rarely in most modern clinics. It is generally avoided if a patient has respiratory issues.