New Applications of Celestial Moxibustion
Celestial moxibustion involves applying irritant herbs directly onto acupoints or affected areas, causing natural skin congestion, redness, or blistering. Since no moxa flame is used, but the skin shows reactions similar to moxibustion with comparable effects, it is named celestial moxibustion, also known as self-moxibustion or paste moxibustion. It combines acupoint stimulation with pharmacological effects via drug absorption at specific sites. Recently, this method has gained increasing attention, forming the basis for modern transdermal drug delivery systems. There are many types of celestial moxibustion; commonly used clinical methods include:
I. Garlic Paste Moxibustion: Crush fresh purple garlic into paste. Take 3–5g and apply directly to acupoints. Duration: 1–3 hours, until local itching, redness, or blistering occurs. Applying to Yongquan (KI1) treats hemoptysis and epistaxis; applying to Hegu (LI4) treats tonsillitis; applying to Yujī (LU10) treats laryngitis.
II. Cantharides Moxibustion: Grind cantharides into fine powder. Use a piece of adhesive tape with a small hole (about soybean-sized) placed over the acupoint to expose it while protecting surrounding skin. Place a small amount of cantharides powder in the hole, cover with another tape layer. Leave until local itching, redness, or blistering appears, then remove tape and powder. Alternatively, mix cantharides powder with glycerin for external application; or soak cantharides in vinegar or 95% alcohol for 10 days, then apply the liquid to the affected area. Used for psoriasis, neurodermatitis, joint pain, jaundice, stomach pain, etc.
III. White Mustard Seed Moxibustion: Grind white mustard seeds into powder, mix with vinegar to form a paste (5–10g). Apply to acupoints, cover with oil paper, secure with adhesive tape. Or place 1g of powder in the center of a 5cm-diameter adhesive patch and directly apply to acupoints. Duration: 2–4 hours, until local congestion, redness, or blistering. Indicated for wind-cold-damp arthralgia, tuberculosis, asthma, facial paralysis, etc.
IV. Others: Use ginseng powder on Zhongji (CV3) to treat urinary retention; apply horse chestnut powder on Jiache (ST6) and Dicang (ST4) to treat facial nerve paralysis; mix Wu Zhu Yu (Evodia) powder with vinegar and apply to Yongquan (KI1) to treat hypertension, oral ulcers, pediatric edema; crush green onion and apply to affected area for acute mastitis; mix equal parts of gallnut and He Shou Wu, grind into powder, mix with vinegar into a paste, apply nightly to the navel, remove next morning to treat enuresis in children; mix 30g sandalwood, 50g sugar, 10g alum, and one 100g crucian carp, mash into paste, divide into three portions, apply each portion to Shenshu (BL23), Zhiyang (GV9), and cover with gauze secured with tape, change daily to treat Yang Huang (acute jaundice). For Yin Huang (chronic jaundice), use powdered pepper (1 grain per year of age), 1g musk, and one crucian carp, mash into paste, apply to Shenque (CV8), Gan Shu (BL18), and Pi Shu (BL20).
Although celestial moxibustion shows good results, some herbal ingredients used are toxic, and others strongly irritate the skin. Therefore, pregnant women, elderly or frail individuals, and those with skin allergies should use cautiously or avoid altogether.