Moxibustion for Winter Immunity: Strengthen Your Defenses Naturally
Your body knows it is winter even if it is not cold and snowy outside. Winter - indeed all seasons - bring changes in the length of the day, quality of daylight, temperature of the earth and water bodies, blooming cycles, and animal behavior patterns. Our bodies are attuned to these natural signals. You are probably feeling the need to sleep longer, eat more warming foods, move a little more slowly. These are all signs the body is acclimating to winter and trying to go inward to store vital resources. This going inward also means that we have less external defenses (think immune system help) to protect us from colds, flus, and other ailments that surge during winter. This is where moxibustion can be a powerful healing tool.
Moxibustion is the Traditional Chinese Medicine treatment of burning moxa (dried mugwort) over body areas or specific acupuncture points. The heat from moxa penetrates deep into the body, strengthening the Lung, Spleen and Kidney organ systems that are in charge of our immune defenses (Wei Qi).
Research on moxibustion's anti-inflammatory effects found that it reduced inflammatory cytokines in the brain, which suggests moxibustion modulates immune function through multiple pathways. Another study on bacterial infection showed that moxibustion activated macrophage autophagy and protected mice against bacterial infection by enhancing innate immune defenses.
The warming effect of moxa improves circulation, bringing immune cells and nutrients to areas that need them while removing metabolic waste. In TCM terms, we'd say moxa moves Qi and Blood while tonifying Yang. Modern research describes similar mechanisms: improved microcirculation, enhanced tissue oxygenation, and activation of protective cellular processes.
If you're feeling perpetually chilled, running on empty, or frequently getting sick this winter, moxibustion might be exactly what your body is asking for. Try for yourself. You can hold a moxa stick over Zusanli (ST 36) to improve energy and digestive strength. Better nutrient absorption fuels your immune system. Mingmen (DU 4) is another beneficial acupuncture point to moxa. This point tonifies Kidney Yang, warming the body at its foundation to improve all systems.