🌿 Warming Your Way to Wellness: The Benefits of Moxa & How to Use It at Home

Angie K Love
Apr 21
3 min read

Updated: Apr 22

Moxibustion, or moxa, is a deeply soothing and effective therapy used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to promote healing and balance in the body. At Heart Blossom Healing, I often incorporate moxa into acupuncture treatments to address a variety of concerns, including:

Pain relief and inflammation – Moxa helps reduce discomfort from injuries, chronic pain conditions, and arthritis.
Injury recovery and post-surgical healing – Its warming, blood-circulating properties support faster recovery and scar tissue repair.
Neuropathy and circulation issues – Moxa improves circulation and supports healthy nerve function.
Digestive support – Helpful for bloating, sluggish digestion, and conditions like IBS.
Fatigue and overall energy balance – Moxa is deeply nourishing and grounding, helping restore depleted energy levels.
Immune support – Especially beneficial during seasonal transitions or when recovering from illness.

Many patients describe moxa therapy as calming and restorative, leaving them feeling more balanced, grounded, and deeply relaxed after a session.

🔥 How to Use a Smokeless Moxa Stick at Home

For those who want to experience the benefits of moxa at home, using a smokeless moxa stick is a simple and effective option. You can purchase one here: Amazon Smokeless Moxa Stick.

Gentle disclaimer: As always, check with your practitioner before starting moxa at home, especially if you’re pregnant or managing a complex condition.

Home Moxa Instructions

Prepare a safe way to extinguish the moxa stick – Fill a small glass jar or cup with 3-4 inches of dry, raw rice. This will be used to safely put out the moxa. Alternatively, you can use a glass mason jar with a tightly closing lid.
Light the moxa stick – Use a candle, gas stove, or blow torch to ignite the end of the moxa stick for about one minute, until white ash appears. You can gently blow on it to check for a red-orange glow.
Warm the area – Hold the heated moxa stick about 1 inch above the skin over the targeted area. Use small circular motions (penny-sized) or a pecking motion until you feel a comfortable warmth. Caution! ⚠️ Never touch the skin with the moxa stick or look away while using it!
Remove ash buildup – Lightly scrape off the ash after each use with an ashtray or the edge of a glass jar.
Extinguish the moxa safely – Place the lit end fully into the rice, ensuring it's buried. The moxa should be fully extinguished in 20-30 seconds. Alternatively, drop the moxa stick into a mason glass jar and close the lid tightly. Set the jar on a heat proof surface – the glass will get hot. Do not touch the glass until it has sufficiently cooled. Keep out of reach of pets and children.
Repeat as needed – Use moxa 1-2 times per day for 15-20 minutes per session.
Dispose of short sticks – When the moxa stick becomes 1.5 inches long, discard it and start a new one.

✨ Bonus Home Care Tips

Pair your moxa practice with deep breathing or a short meditation to enhance grounding.
Sip warm water or herbal tea afterward to support circulation and integration.
Journal your experience to track symptom changes and reflect on your healing journey.