Moxibustion is a technique from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that involves stimulating precise points on the body through the combustion of dried mugwort — moxa. Practised for several millennia in Asia, it is today accessible to everyone for home use, provided a few essential rules are observed.

Needle moxibustion: choosing the right equipment The warm-needle technique (needle moxibustion) rests on a balance between safety, thermal conduction and clinical efficacy. The choice of equipment directly influences the quality of thermal stimulation and the associated risks. This article offers an analysis based on available scientific data.

Moxa smoke: understanding scientific data without confusion Moxibustion involves the combustion of dried mugwort leaves (Artemisia argyi, vulgaris or princeps) to stimulate acupuncture points or specific body areas. This practice has been used for centuries without any historical reports of specific pathologies related to its use.

Introduction to moxibustion techniques Moxibustion is practised using several techniques. Some are simple and can be performed easily, while others require training at a school of acupuncture or Chinese medicine. It should be noted that not all schools teach the same methods, and some may differ depending on traditions (Chinese, Japanese, Korean, etc.).

Why we do not recommend smokeless moxa Therapeutic efficacy and a coherent choice Smokeless moxa is today widely presented as a modern alternative to traditional moxa: cleaner, more comfortable and supposedly therapeutically equivalent. At Vert Nature, we have made a clear and deliberate choice: we do not offer smokeless moxa.

As a moxa retailer, I notice a spike in orders every winter — even though the classical texts of Chinese medicine recommend moxibustion in summer. This apparent paradox reveals two complementary uses: curative and preventive in summer, maintenance and symptomatic in winter.