In 2016, I stumbled upon moxibustion (a traditional Chinese therapy using mugwort) due to chronic health issues. From the very beginning, I avoided detours in selecting high-quality moxa sticks. Though I occasionally tried cheaper alternatives for cost-saving purposes, none surpassed the ones I originally chose. Once convinced, I never looked back. Over the years, moxibustion has become integral to my life—I cherish its herbal aroma, its gentle warmth, its lingering therapeutic effects, and the wondrous way it interacts with the body.
Moxibustion is now a daily ritual. I practice suspended moxibustion during breaks, seated moxibustion while working, and eye mask moxibustion while sleeping. Yet, even this routine felt insufficient. Last October, when I spent a month away from home and couldn’t practice, I felt an unsettling void, as if missing something vital. The moment my travels ended, I rushed home to resume my practice.
Gradually, my persistence bore fruit. The first improvement was the disappearance of chronic lower back pain. Soon after, episodes of chest tightness and shortness of breath dwindled, and my digestive discomfort vanished. These were the initial changes during my first year of moxibustion. While those symptoms are now entirely gone, my passion for the practice remains undiminished.
During a recent video call, my mother noticed an moxa box on my head and asked worriedly, “Do you have a headache?” I laughed and replied, “No, I’m preventing dementia! What if I forget you someday?” Only after confirming I was fine did she relax.
Last October 30th, a heartbreaking crowdfunding post from a childhood neighbor appeared on my social feed. His newborn had been disabled by jaundice, his wife was recovering from breast cancer, and he now lay in the ICU with a cerebral hemorrhage. Beyond donating, I felt powerless. Such tragedies might have been delayed or avoided altogether with proactive health practices like moxibustion. Our bodies don’t belong solely to us—they’re entrusted to us by those who love us. This is why I advocate for moxibustion within everyone’s reach.
Regarding “healing reactions,” I’ve learned they’re nothing to fear. Once you understand moxibustion’s mechanism of unblocking meridians, these reactions make sense. Supportive online communities and experienced practitioners further demystify the process. Moxibustion is simple: it’s about repetition, persistence, and enduring through plateaus. True success lies in persisting even when persistence feels impossible. These are just my humble reflections, but they’ve transformed my life—one gentle wisp of moxa smoke at a time.
