moxa

noun

ˈmäk-sə 

: a soft woolly mass prepared from the ground young leaves of a Eurasian artemisia (especially Artemisia vulgaris) that is used in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine typically in the form of sticks or cones which are ignited and placed on or close to the skin or used to heat acupuncture needles

Examples of moxa in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Moxibustion can be combined with acupuncture treatment or done on its own with moxa sticks. —Maria Carter, Parents, 24 Oct. 2023

However, burning moxa directly on the point is not an at-home technique and should only be performed in a clinical setting, Ingegno warns. —Maria Carter, Parents, 24 Oct. 2023

Licensed practitioners also combine it with moxibustion, which involves burning the herb mugwort (or moxa) near acupuncture points, to turn a breech baby. —Kimberly Zapata, Parents, 31 Aug. 2023

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Japanese mogusa

First Known Use

1675, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

moxa

noun

ˈmäk-sə 

1

: a soft woolly mass prepared from the ground young leaves of a Eurasian artemisia (especially Artemisia vulgaris) that is used in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine typically in the form of sticks or cones which are ignited and placed on or close to the skin or used to heat acupuncture needles

2

: any of various substances applied and ignited like moxa as a counterirritant