Mugwort Leaves and Moxa Wool: Essential Materials in Acupuncture and Moxibustion

Mugwort (Artemisia argyi) is a perennial herb of the Asteraceae family. It has a bitter taste and warm nature, and enters the Spleen, Liver, and Kidney meridians. It grows throughout China, with the best quality produced in Qizhou, Hubei Province, known as Qi Ai. The New Compilation of Materia Medica (Bencao Congxin) records: "Mugwort leaves are bitter and acrid, warm when raw and hot when processed, possessing pure yang nature. They can revive the dying yang, unblock the twelve meridians, reach the three yin channels, regulate qi and blood, and expel cold-dampness. When used for moxibustion, they can penetrate all meridians and eliminate hundreds of diseases." The Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu) also states that mugwort leaves can treat all diseases through moxibustion.

1. Properties and Effects of Mugwort Leaves

Mugwort leaves have an aromatic odor, acrid and slightly bitter taste, warm-hot nature, and pure yang properties. According to health preservation experts throughout history, as a moxibustion material, mugwort has the effects of warming and unblocking meridians, promoting qi and blood circulation, dispersing cold and dampness, and restoring yang to rescue from collapse. Mugwort leaves are rich in fiber (66.85%), low in moisture (8.98%), and contain many combustible organic substances (nitrogenous compounds, volatile oils), making them an ideal moxibustion material. They also contain volatile oils (0.02%) and various ions (potassium, calcium, magnesium, aluminum, etc., 8.44%), which have effects such as stimulating the central nervous system and relieving fever. The volatile oils in mugwort leaves also have anti-asthmatic, antitussive, expectorant, antibacterial, and anti-allergic properties.

2. Properties and Storage of Moxa Wool

After processing mugwort leaves into moxa wool, it is easy to knead into shapes, aromatic and flammable, with a gentle and penetrating heat when burned, able to reach deep into the organs. It has broad applications and low cost. Therefore, since the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, moxa wool has been the main material for moxibustion, widely used in health preservation and wellness.

Freshly made moxa wool contains more volatile oils, producing a strong flame that can easily fall off and burn the skin. Therefore, after preparation, moxa wool must be stored for a period to reduce its harsh nature. The Mencius records: "To cure a seven-year illness, seek moxa that has been stored for three years." Moxa wool is hygroscopic and prone to moisture, so it should be stored in a cool, dry place in sealed containers, and aired annually to prevent mold and insects.

References

1. New Compilation of Materia Medica (Bencao Congxin).
2. Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu) by Li Shizhen.
3. Mencius (Mengzi).
4. Modern pharmacological studies on Artemisia argyi volatile oils and their medicinal properties.