Moxibustion, used in China and Japan for thousands of years, is a safe, effective, and easy-to-use therapy that has significant beneficial impacts. During the treatment, mugwort, Artemisia vulgaris, a common weed that is a relative of sage, is burnt on or close to the skin using various techniques. For example, moxa can be combined with substances such as salt or ginger to enhance its therapeutic properties. Compared to methods in China, Japanese moxibustion is more subtle and gentle with surprisingly powerful techniques that don't require burning the skin. Warming specific points or areas of the body with the help of moxa can stimulate sluggish, deficient, or stagnated qi, improving circulation and lymphatic flow as well as expelling dampness and pathogenic influences.

Moxa can be a useful adjunct to conventional or alternative medicine, amplifying the healing effects of other therapies such as shiatsu or acupuncture. While there is abundant research confirming its healing properties, consistent and sustained application is the key. The hieroglyph of moxa in Japanese has two elements: long time and fire. This is the reason why, in some cases, at Yu Clinic we will train patients how to use moxa at home to manage pain and strengthen their body.