新手不再盲目艾灸｜20个实操问题，一次说透

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Beginners often ask: Which acupoint should I moxa? How long should I moxa each time? Can I moxa at night? What if I get "internal heat"?

In fact, most confusion boils down to a few core principles. Today, I will clarify the practical essentials, common misconceptions, and frequently asked questions. After reading this, you will have a solid foundation.

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First, remember these three "iron rules" (the basis for all subsequent questions):

· Technique is more important than the acupoint—beginners obsess over point selection, but the key to effectiveness is the "moxa sensation," which is "drawn out" through correct technique.

Moxibustion connects the moxa stick to your body; technique is like "dialing in" before connecting. It serves two purposes: drawing out the moxa sensation and developing a "feel" for the process.

The moxa sensation is what the person receiving moxibustion feels. It is divided into heat sensations (heat penetration, heat conduction, heat expansion, distal heat) and non-heat sensations (qi movement, bowel sounds, tearing, burping, flatulence, yawning, drowsiness).

I personally find non-heat sensations more valuable because they indicate a "response from the original spirit"—these reactions cannot be faked through conscious control or psychological suggestion.

The "feel" is the suction sensation the practitioner feels under the moxa stick, like a fish biting a hook. Can a beginner moxa without this "feel"? Yes. See details:How to break through if you don't have the "feel" for moxibustion?

Technique demonstrated in the video—

· Be focused during moxibustion—do not scroll on your phone, read, listen to the radio, or chat. Focus is the prerequisite for a "response from the original spirit."

· Stay relaxed during moxibustion—be especially mindful of your posture when self-moxaing. A recliner is recommended; an awkward posture will significantly drag down the effectiveness. See details:Use this to double your moxibustion results

Self-moxibustion demonstration (using Zusanli as an example)—

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Below, I will break down the questions you care about most, in order:

1. What can moxibustion actually "treat"?

Moxibustion does not "treat diseases" directly; it awakens and boosts your self-healing power.

The ancients said, "Nourish the righteous qi and ailments will clear themselves." We only need to focus on four basics: sleep, appetite, bowel movements, and mood. Once these are stable, many ailments will naturally fade away.

Daily improvements you can feel include: calming the mind and aiding sleep, better appetite, smoother bowel movements, relieved mood, improved metabolism, and toned body. See details:Three years of moxibustion: submitting my progress reportFour years of moxibustion: a second rebirth

2. Which acupoint should I moxa? Does point selection need to be precise?

Don't obsess over precise point selection; the key is to find areas with a "strong moxa sensation." Beginners are advised to start below the knees, such as Zusanli, Sanyinjiao, and Taixi.

3. How long should I moxa each time? What about frequency and duration?

A single session should generally start at one hour. However, if you feel sleepy, extinguish the moxa stick immediately and go to sleep—this sleep is highly restorative. If you feel restless and don't want to moxa, stop immediately; don't force it.

Frequency should be determined by how your body feels: if you are moxaing well, there is no upper limit on duration (one to eight hours a day is fine, daily or every few days is fine); if you are moxaing poorly (ineffective or even negative effects), even one minute is too much.

Isn't moxaing for several hours a day tiring? Won't it be excessive?

Not tiring, not excessive. See details:How to achieve 8 hours of moxibustion or 8 hours of Gua Sha?

4. Can I moxa at night?

Experienced practitioners are not restricted by time and can moxa at night. Beginners are advised to moxa during the day, starting from the lower limbs, which effectively avoids issues like "internal heat."

5. How do I manage the distance?

Beginners are advised to keep a distance of 20 cm or more. If you hold the moxa stick that high and feel no heat at the site, is it effective? Yes, it is.

6. How do I handle moxa smoke?

Open windows for ventilation or use exhaust equipment (readers report the Jiuyefeng exhaust fan is quite good, though I haven't used it; consider it if needed). However, I do not recommend using a kitchen range hood (unless it is silent, otherwise the noise affects your mental state). Don't give up on moxibustion because of smoke; there are always more solutions than problems. For a detailed sharing on moxa smoke, see:Want to moxa but don't like the smoke? What to do?

7. Can I use air conditioning in summer? How to moxa when it's too cold in winter?

If the room temperature is above 35°C, you can use AC set to 28°C. Keep the vents away from your body and wear long sleeves and pants to protect your joints. See this article:Can I use AC during moxibustion? Detailed precautions after moxibustion

How to moxa in winter when it's too cold to expose the treatment area? See this article:How to moxa in winter when it's inconvenient to lift your clothes

8. What are the taboos after moxibustion?

Within 2 hours after moxibustion, do not eat raw or cold food and do not touch cold water (I wear rubber gloves to wash vegetables and cook). Within 4 hours, do not bathe or expose yourself to drafts. If you enter an air-conditioned room, be sure to wear long sleeves and pants (during my high-frequency, long-duration moxibustion phases, I bathe before moxaing).

9. What if I get "internal heat" (dry mouth, sore throat)?

It is highly likely that your technique is incorrect, or your technique is correct but your skill level is not yet sufficient.

Beginners starting below the knees can reduce the probability of internal heat. If you already have it, pause for a few days, and the heat will dissipate on its own.

Those with solid skills can actually use moxibustion to "guide the fire back to the source," using moxibustion to eliminate and lower internal heat. Regarding internal heat, see these two articles:Crossing the hurdle of "internal heat" from moxibustion (Part 1)Crossing the hurdle of "internal heat" from moxibustion (Part 2)

10. Why do I feel nothing after moxibustion?

There are two reasons: First, you didn't moxa well (perhaps poor quality moxa, the body is too blocked, or poor technique)—check these one by one. Second, you did moxa well, but your focus was entirely on the "illness," and you didn't notice improvements in appetite, sleep, bowel movements, mood, or energy, so you felt "nothing."

11. How do I choose moxa sticks?

Choose pure moxa sticks; look for fine moxa wool, few impurities, and light smoke. Inferior moxa sticks have many stems, produce thick, turbid smoke, and easily cause internal heat. See details:The two most important points in choosing moxa sticks(You can click "Read Original" at the end of the article to see the moxa sticks I use myself)

12. Do I need extra Yin-nourishing supplements for long-term moxibustion?

No. Correctly performed moxibustion regulates the spirit and achieves both Yin and Yang replenishment—often, after moxaing, you will have saliva production under the tongue, and "stagnant water" or "bad water" in the body turns into "living water" or "good water." Furthermore, moxibustion is often followed by high-quality sleep, and sleep is the best way to nourish Yin. As long as the technique is proper, the body will naturally return to balance. See details:Full of "bad water" and still feeling thirsty? Moxa here

13. How long until it takes effect?

Single-session effect: With correct technique and sufficient skill, you can feel immediate improvement after finishing one moxa stick (e.g., sleeping soundly that night, smoother bowel movements the next day). Improving your constitution requires accumulated moxibustion volume; it varies from person to person—some need dozens of sticks, others hundreds. Patience is the shortcut. See details:Is moxibustion a "slow doctor"?

14. Who is not suitable for moxibustion?

Except for the following three categories, it is generally suitable for everyone:

(1) Healthy children—no extra moxibustion needed.

(2) People who should be cautious: pregnant women, patients with severe illnesses (cancer), those with high blood pressure, elderly people with underlying conditions, and those on long-term anti-allergy/hormone/immunosuppressant medication.

(3) People prohibited from moxibustion: those with a history of organ transplants.

15. Can I moxa during menstruation, a cold, or when hungry/full?

Do not moxa when overly full or hungry. Beginners should pause during menstruation (especially if the flow is heavy), while experienced practitioners often find better results moxaing during menstruation. Moxa for a cold is "emergency treatment"; I suggest practicing the basics first—don't just pick up a brush today and try to sell calligraphy on the street tomorrow.

16. Can I moxa if my body is very "blocked"?

The more blocked the body, the higher the requirement for moxibustion technique. If your technique is limited, do Gua Sha or massage to clear the blockages first, then moxa.Can I moxa if I am blocked?

17. Where specifically should I moxa for coldness, dampness, and poor spleen/stomach?

Beginners should moxa below the knees, such as Zusanli, Sanyinjiao, Taixi, etc., focusing on areas with a "strong moxa sensation."

18. Is the effect good if I can only reach limited areas during self-moxibustion?

19. How to light the moxa stick, how to extinguish it, how to scrape off the ash, etc. See details:An introductory guide for moxibustion beginners

20. Where is the key to improving moxibustion technique and effectiveness?

It lies in focus and relaxation. See details:Moxibustion tutorial

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For the moxa sticks I use, click "Read Original" below to view.