Moxibustion (Chinese: 灸; pinyin: jǐu) is the traditional Chinese medical therapy utilizing moxa, or mugwort herb. The mugwort is usually aged and ground up to a fluff, burned as is or further processed into a stick that resembles a cigar, but is not smoked. It can be used indirectly, with acupuncture needles, or is sometimes burnt on the skin.
Moxa is used to warm regions and acupuncture points in order to stimulate circulation through the points and lead to smoother flow of blood and qi. Scientific research has shown that mugwort acts as an wiktionary:emmenagogue. Blood flow is stimulated in the pelvic area and uterus.
Moxibustion is used against cold and dampness in the body and to turn breech babies (see Breech birth).