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Moxa cone is a cone-shaped mugwort wool, the size of which varies from the size of wheat grain to the size of a Chinese date (see Fig. 124). The measurement unit of moxibustion is called "Zhuang". The burning out of one moxa cone is called one Zhuang. The moxa cone is placed on the acupoint selected in performing moxibustion. Mox-ibustion with moxa cones is either direct or indirect, de-pending on whether there is something between the moxa cone and the skin.
3.3. 1.1 Direct moxibustion
Direct moxibustion means that the moxa cone is placed directly on the acupeint and ignited. Prior to moxi-bustion, some garlic juice or vaseline can be applied to the site in order to increase the adhesion of the moxa cone to the skin. This type of moxibustion is either scarring or non-scarring according to the degree of burning over the skin.
Non-scarring moxibustion. When 2/5 of a moxa cone is burnt, or when the patient feels a burning pain, the cone is replaced by a new one. The moxibustion continues until the local skin becomes reddish but without blisters. Usually each acupoint can be moxibusted for 3 - 7 cones without suppuration and scar formation. So this method of moxibustion is easy to be accepted by the patient and is usually used to treat asthenia-cold syndrome.
Scarring moxibustion- When the moxa cone com-pletely burns out, it is replaced by a new one. This proce-dure continues until blisters are formed. About one week later after moxibustion, suppuration is formed at the local region. And about 5 - 6 weeks later, the wound heals au-tomatically, the scab exfoliates and scar is formed. It is often used to treat certain chronic diseases, such as asth-ma and pulmonary tuberculosis.
3. 3. 1.2 Indirect moxibustion
The ignited moxa cone is isolated from the skin by some materials, such as ginger and garlic, in order to avoid burning the skin. A slice of fresh ginger or garlic about 0.2 - 0.3 cm thick is prepared, punched with holes and placed on the acupoint selected. On top of the ginger slice, a moxa cone is placed and ignited (see Fig. 125). After the moxa cone completely burns out, it is replaced by a new one. This procedure is repeated until the local skin turns reddish but without blisters formed. This meth-od is always used to treat obstructive syndrome due to pathogenic wind-cold, abdominal pain and diarrhea due to cold.
