moxibustion Moxibustion is a direct or indirect technique that involves the burning of a Chinese Herb, called Mugwort (also known as artemesia vulgaris or Ai ye in Chinese). Research has shown that moxa acts as an 'emmenagogue', an agent that increases blood circulation. With 'Indirect moxa', a lit moxa stick is used or the moxa is wrapped around the tip of a needle and lit. The infusion of heat brings instant relief to pain in the muscles and joints as this transfers deeply into the acupuncture point. 'Direct moxa' is a method where the dried herb is rolled into a small cone and burned directly on the skin. In Western medicine, moxibustion has successfully been used to turn breech babies into a normal head-down position prior to childbirth.