The Health-Preserving Effects of Acupuncture and Moxibustion

Moxibustion therapy can unblock the meridians, harmonize the nutritive (ying) and defensive (wei) qi, tonify and supplement qi and blood, harmonize yin and yang, and coordinate the zang-fu organs, thereby achieving the goals of prevention, strengthening the body, anti-aging, and treatment.

(I) Warming and Unblocking the Meridians to Promote Qi and Blood

The Lingshu · Ben Zang (Spiritual Pivot: On the Viscera) states: "The meridians are that which circulates qi and blood, nourishes yin and yang, moistens the sinews and bones, and benefits the joints." The circulation of qi and blood must travel along the meridians in order to operate throughout the entire body and nourish the organism. Moxibustion, being warm and hot in nature, can warm and unblock the meridians and promote the flow of blood. Just as the Suwen · Ci Jie Zhen Xie Lun (Basic Questions: Treatise on Needling, Joints, True and Pathogenic Qi) says: "When the blood within the vessels congeals and remains stationary, without the regulation of fire, it cannot be moved." The movement of qi and blood is characterized by dispersal when it encounters warmth and congelation when it encounters cold. Moxibustion with mugwort uses its warm heat to unblock the meridians and activate the flow of qi and blood.

(II) Cultivating and Supplementing Original Qi to Prevent Disease

Moxibustion therapy has the effect of strengthening original yang and preventing and treating disease. The Bian Que Xin Shu (Bian Que's Heart Book) states: "A person's true original qi is the sovereign master of the entire body. When the true qi is robust, the person is strong; when the true qi is deficient, the person falls ill; when the true qi is exhausted, the person dies. Among methods for preserving life, moxibustion is the foremost." Mugwort is an acrid, warm herb that is yang in nature; assisted by fire, the two yang forces combine, capable of tonifying yang and invigorating yang. When the true original qi is ample, the human body is robust and strong — "When zheng qi exists within, pathogenic factors cannot invade." Thus, it is known that moxibustion has the effect of cultivating and supplementing original qi and preventing disease.

(III) Fortifying the Spleen and Stomach to Strengthen the Acquired Foundation

Moxibustion exerts a marked strengthening effect on the spleen and stomach. The Zhenjiu Zisheng Jing (Classic of Nourishing Life with Acupuncture and Moxibustion) states: "In all cases of loss of appetite, distention and fullness of the heart and abdomen, and a sallow facial complexion — what is commonly termed disease of the spleen and stomach — it is appropriate to apply moxibustion at Zhongwan (CV12)." Applying moxibustion at Zhongwan can warmly activate spleen yang, supplement the center, and augment qi. Frequently applying moxibustion at Zusanli (ST36) not only enables the digestive system to function vigorously and increases the body's absorption of nutrients to nourish the whole body, but can also achieve the effects of preventing and treating disease, resisting aging, and prolonging life.

(IV) Raising Yang Qi and Securing the Skin Surface

The Suwen · Jing Mai Pian (Basic Questions: Treatise on the Meridians) states: "Where there is sinking, apply moxibustion." When qi is deficient and sinks downward, the skin and body hair cannot withstand wind and cold, and the clear yang cannot ascend. Consequently, the defensive yang becomes unconsolidated and the interstices of the skin become loose and open. Regularly applying moxibustion can raise yang qi, secure and tighten the muscle and skin surface, resist external pathogenic factors, and harmonize the nutritive and defensive qi, thereby achieving the effects of strengthening the body and preventing and treating disease.