April 16th, is the first day of 2010 to pick mugwort (Ai Ye) according to Ben Cao Gang Mu. Learn to recognize mugwort (which probably grows in the hills and canyons near you). Learn how to harvest it, and how to process it into moxa floss for use in moxibustion. We will also discuss how to distinguish the quality of moxa floss and the uses of high quality and low quality floss. This lecture includes photos for every step of the process.
Bio: Lorraine Wilcox is the author of two books on moxibustion (Moxibustion: The Power of Mugwort Fire and Moxibustion: A Modern Clinical Handbook). She has been licensed in California since 1989 and roams the canyons of Malibu picking mugwort whenever she has the chance.
We asked Lorraine about a new moxa device that is a hand held infra red "stick" that promotes itself as no odour no ashes and no toxic smoke. We asked Lorraine if she thought this could be used as an alternative to direct moxa. Here is her response below. We are looking forward to tuning into Lorraine's live webinar and hope you do too as she is such a great Moxa resource.
Response from Lorraine"
It is to be held like a moxa stick so it will not have the same effect as direct moxa. But do you really think that all moxa is is heat and infrared? Do you think all Ma Huang is is ephedrine? Do you think there is no difference between direct, moxa on garlic, moxa on Fu Zi, moxa on salt, pressing moxibustion, warm needle, moxa stick, etc.? Japanese studies say, for example, that moxa smoke and moxa tar have specific effects. Studies have shown that heat from a cigarette is not equivalent in wavelength and other properties to heat from a moxa stick. Studies have shown that using carrot or cucumber slices do not have the same effect as slices of ginger and garlic when used in moxibustion. Maybe the old doctors really knew something!
This device certainly has its uses, but I myself strongly believe that the herbal components of moxibustion have effects, so this would be just one tool in my toolbox.
