With this post we want to send a really warm greeting to all Örtfabriken's followers in the new year. Let's enter the new year by doing a simple, cleansing and warming ritual using moxibustion. To help us, we use the herb mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris).
But first of all, what is moxibustion ?
Moxa or moxibustion is the Japanese word for "burning herb".
According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), our body is like its own little universe connected through different channels. By stimulating these channels we can support ourselves, balance ourselves and our own healing. Acupuncture involves using needles to stimulate certain points on the body, which activate the channels. This brings more qi and blood supply to the area on the body.
You can do the same thing with moxibustion, which means using herbs and heat to stimulate these "acupuncture points." You simply place the herb on the point on your body and light the herb so that heat is generated. According to TCM, Moxa is used to strengthen the body and to fight disease.
How to do moxa
There are ready-made moxa cones or moxa incenses to buy, but you can pick and dry the sedge yourself. I haven't been very careful in making my own moxa, but have simply kneaded together dried sedge. But making your own moxa cone is a process in itself. You use dried sedge that you grind into a fine powder and continue grinding until the sedge becomes a fluffy cotton-like mass. This takes time. You shape this mass into a cone. Here you see a picture of ground sedge with the consistency of cotton:
In this moxibustion, I choose to place my moxa (gray bone) on the navel, which is a common point. But first, you fill the navel thoroughly with salt. On top of the salt, gray bone.
Some people use a slice of ginger instead of salt.
Light the top layer with a match so that it starts to smoke. Feel the heat spreading. Of course you have to be very careful so that you don't burn yourself. The salt transports the heat, but is also a protective layer for the skin.
There is a risk of burning yourself, so be careful.
My experience with moxa
It is incredibly relaxing to do moxa, especially this time of year when we want more warmth and our bodies and minds want to warm up. The heat from the moss and salt penetrates my body and creates a deep relaxation.
In addition, black cohosh is an herb with deep, spiritual properties that is often used as incense. By burning black cohosh, we put ourselves in a meditative state. Black cohosh helps us to release our free and wild selves. It is an herb that puts you in touch with the feminine aspects - in other words, something that both men and women can enjoy. Black cohosh is also a known herb for lucid dreaming. It is said to open the third eye and allow us to enter the dream world with an open mind. Use black cohosh when you are going through a transformation, as it leads you step by step to the other side.
I have had very strong experiences with greybonnet myself and have deep respect for this herb. If I were to take it internally, it would be in a minimal dose, as it is so powerful but can also have an allergenic effect. If I were to take it in tincture form, I would take a maximum of 1-2 drops or I would take it in the form of inhalation through a steam bath.
