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Other common
name(s): acumoxa, auricular mo, moxabustion
Scientific/medical
name(s): none
Description
Moxibustion is the application of heat resulting from the
burning of a small bundle of tightly bound herbs, or moxa, to targeted
acupoints. It is used along with acupuncture (see our doucment, Acupuncture).
Overview
Available scientific evidence does not support claims that
moxibustion is effective in preventing or treating cancer or any other
disease. Oils from the herbs used in moxibustion are dangerous if
consumed.
How is it promoted for use?
Moxibustion is a practice of both traditional Chinese and
Tibetan medicine that stimulates acupoints in order to promote the
body's ability to heal itself. Practitioners claim the radiant heat
produced by moxibustion penetrates deeply into the body, restoring the
balance and flow of vital energy or life force called qi or ch'i.
Moxibustion is promoted for improving general health and treating
cancer and chronic conditions such as arthritis, digestive disorders,
and ulcers.
What does it involve?
Moxibustion involves the burning of moxa, which is created by
gathering dried leaves from mugwort or wormwood plants and forming them
into a small cone or cigar-like shape (see our documents, Mugwort
and Wormwood).
The 2 main types of moxibustion are direct and indirect.
In its earliest uses, direct moxibustion was most often
applied over the acupuncture point, with the moxa cone placed directly
on the skin. However, this often produced pain and scarring. Some
Chinese traditions still deliberately induce scarring, although that
technique is not usually done in the United States.
Indirect moxibustion, the method most commonly used today,
involves either burning the moxa on top of an acupuncture needle or
applying heat to needle points from an electrical source. Other
practitioners hold the burning moxa above the skin for a few minutes or
place a layer of ginger, garlic, or salt on the person’s
skin, with the burning moxa on top of it. For people who have asthma or
respiratory problems, smokeless moxa can be used.
Other kinds of moxibustion include burnt match moxibustion, in
which the practitioner taps one or two acupoints on the ear rapidly
with the head of a burnt match; thread incense moxibustion, in which
the practitioner burns thin strips of moxa; and warm needle
moxibustion, which involves the use of acupuncture needles that have
been heated with a match or lighter.
What is the history behind it?
Moxibustion evolved thousands of years ago in early northern
China. It is part of traditional Chinese medical practices and came
about at the same time as acupuncture. In such a cold, mountainous
region, heating the body on energetically active points was thought to
be effective for preventing illness and promoting healing. Chinese
medicine practitioners currently use moxibustion in some parts of the
United States.
What is the evidence?
In general, most studies that have looked at moxibustion have
not followed rigorous scientific guidelines to be sure that the
outcomes were due to the moxibustion treatment. It is also difficult to
find studies where moxibustion is used without acupuncture so that its
effect can be evaluated alone.
A Chinese study of 230 women in the 1990s suggested that
moxibustion may have helped some fetuses in breech (bottom-first)
position return to a normal, head-first position before birth. In the
study, 75% of the babies in the moxibustion group were born in the
normal position, as opposed to 62% of those in the control group. Other
studies have had similar findings. Further research is needed to be
sure of the procedure’s safety and its effects.
Other research in China has examined the use of moxibustion in
asthma and ulcerative colitis (chronic inflammation of the colon). A
small study of moxibustion and acupuncture found that this approach was
not helpful in treating obesity.
In general, most studies that have looked at moxibustion have
not followed rigorous scientific guidelines to be sure that the
outcomes were due to the moxibustion treatment. For example, a 2005
review concluded that only 3 of 11 published studies of moxibustion and
breech delivery provided useful clinical evidence and that although
these studies suggested moxibustion might be useful, there was
"… insufficient evidence to support the use of moxibustion
to correct a breech presentation".
There have been no human studies on the effects of moxibustion
and cancer; however, a study in Taiwan found that mice with tumors that
had been treated with moxibustion lived longer than mice with tumors
that had not. Further studies are needed to determine whether the
results apply to humans.
Are there any possible problems or
complications?
Direct moxibustion can burn the skin. Oils from mugwort and
wormwood can cause toxic reactions if taken internally, although their
toxicity is much lower when applied externally. Mugwort is on the
Commission E (Germany’s regulatory agency for herbs) list of
unapproved herbs. This means that it is not recommended for internal
use because it has not been proven to be safe or effective, due to the
possibility that it may cause miscarriage in pregnant women.
Moxibustion can result in burns and may be dangerous for diabetic
patients due to reduced sensation and problems with infection.
Relying on this type of treatment alone and avoiding or
delaying conventional medical care for cancer may have serious health
consequences.
Additional Resources
More information from your American Cancer
Society
The following information on complementary and alternative
therapies may also be helpful to you. These materials may be found on
our Web site (www.cancer.org)
or ordered from our toll-free number (1-800-ACS-2345).
References
Cardini F, Weixin H. Moxibustion for correction of breech
presentation: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA.
1998;280:1580-1584.
Cassileth B. The
Alternative Medicine Handbook: The Complete Reference Guide to
Alternative and Complementary Therapies. New York, NY: W.
W. Norton; 1998.
Coyle ME, Smith CA, Peat B. Cephalic version by moxibustion
for breech presentation. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2005;(2):CD003928.
Gruenwald J. PDR
for Herbal Medicines. 3rd ed. Montvale, NJ: Thomson PDR;
2004.
Hau DM, Lin IH, Lin JG, Chang YH, Lin CH. Therapeutic effects
of moxibustion on experimental tumor. Am J Chin Med.
1999;27:157-166.
Jarvis WT. How quackery harms cancer patients. Quackwatch Web
site. Accessed at
http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/harmquack.html on
June 2, 2008.
Mazzoni R, Mannucci E, Rizzello SM, Ricca V, Rotella CM.
Failure of acupuncture in the treatment of obesity: a pilot study. Eat Weight Disord.
1999;4:198-202.
Moxibustion. Acupuncture Today Web site. Accessed at
http://www.acupuncturetoday.com/abc/moxibustion.php on May 30, 2008.
National Institutes of Health. Alternative Medicine: Expanding
Medical Horizons: A Report to the National Institutes of Health on
Alternative Medical Systems and Practices in the United States.
Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office; 1994. NIH publication
94-066.
Wu H, Chen H, Hua X, Shi Z, Zhang L, Chen J. Clinical
therapeutic effect of drug-separated moxibustion on chronic diarrhea
and its immunologic mechanisms. J
Tradit Chin Med. 1997;17:253-258.
Note:
This
information may not cover all possible claims, uses, actions,
precautions, side effects or interactions. It is not intended as
medical advice, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for
consultation with your doctor, who is familiar with your medical
situation.
Last Medical Review: 11/01/2008
Last Revised: 11/01/2008
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