Moxibustion, or Moxa for short, is an ancient form of heat therapy. Moxa uses the ground up leaves of the plant Mugwort (Artemesia vulgaris). These are either rolled into sticks for indirect moxa, or the powdery substance is made into tiny cones and burned on ointment or a ginger slice. That is called direct moxa. In Chinese, the term for acupuncture is "Zhen Jiu." The "Zhen" means "needle," and the "Jiu" means "moxa." Thus, acupuncture and moxibustion have been paired therapies for hundreds of years.

When the needles are in the body, the indirect moxa heats them, and the metal conducts the heat down into the muscles, where it is most needed. However, moxa can be effective by itself, and is an inexpensive form of home therapy for many types of pain, such as sore joints or menstrual cramps.

Burning moxa has a distinct odor, which some people find relaxing. Some people with severe sensitivities to smoke may not be able to tolerate moxa. The essential oils in moxa have a significant effect, as a type of aromatherapy or medicinal incense. All over the world, mugwort has had a good reputation as a plant that keeps evil away. In European folk tradition, mugwort was put into dream pillows to keep bad dreams away. The 'sagebrush' of the west is mostly Artemisia tridentata, closer to mugwort than to sage.


Source: http://www.ancientway.com