Moxibustion is an essential part of Chinese medicine which uses moxa, a soft woolly substance prepared from Chinese mugwort leaves (Artemisia argyi). 

In moxibustion the moxa is placed either directly on the skin or held just above it, over specific acupuncture points or meridians. The herb is lit and as it smoulders slowly, heat permeates the skin and affects the flow of  Qi and blood in the area being treated.

Direct moxibustion is more commonly used for specific areas needing treatment. It's usually shaped into tiny cones and places it directly on to the body before lighting. The lit moxa cone is removed as soon as a sensation of heat is felt on the body.