In an acupuncture clinic, you may notice an earthy, smoky smell coming from the treatment rooms. This smell is produced by a process called moxibustion (often called Moxa), where an herb called mugwort (ai ye) is burned either directly or indirectly on the skin to provide warmth and other therapeutic benefits.

On the most yang days, we are given the opportunity to strengthen our qi for the upcoming yin days of the year and vice versa through moxibustion.

If you’ve been to an acupuncture clinic before, you may have noticed on occasion an earthy, smoky smell coming from the treatment rooms. This smell is produced by a process called moxibustion, where mugwort (ai ye) is burned either directly or indirectly on the skin to provide warmth and other therapeutic benefits.