Moxibustion for Weight Loss: Practical Guidelines for Warming Yang and Replenishing Qi with Warm Needle Moxibustion

Moxibustion is an external therapy that uses certain flammable materials and medicines to burn, fumigate, and apply to acupoints or affected areas. Through the action of unblocking the meridians, it achieves therapeutic and health-preserving effects. This method is suitable for obese patients with spleen and kidney yang deficiency because: ① The main material used for moxibustion is moxa wool made from mugwort leaves. The *Compendium of Materia Medica* states, "Mugwort leaves can cure hundreds of diseases." The *New Compendium of Materia Medica* says, "Mugwort leaves are bitter and pungent, warm in nature, and belong to pure yang. They can revive waning yang, unblock the twelve meridians, traverse the three yin meridians, regulate qi and blood, expel cold and dampness, and warm the uterus... When used for moxibustion, it can penetrate various diseases and eliminate hundreds of ailments." This illustrates that moxibustion uses the warming and meridian-unblocking effect of moxa fire to promote qi and blood circulation. ② The *Bian Que's Heart Book* points out, "The true essence of a person is the master of the body. When true qi is strong, a person is strong; when true qi is weak, a person is sick; when true qi is depleted, a person dies. Moxibustion is the best method for preserving life."

Moxibustion has the effect of nourishing vital energy. ③ It has a significant strengthening effect on the spleen and stomach. The *Zhenjiu Zisheng Jing* states, "For those with poor appetite, abdominal distension, and sallow complexion, commonly referred to as spleen and stomach disease, moxibustion at Zhongwan (CV12) is appropriate." Applying moxibustion to Zhongwan can warm and invigorate spleen yang, replenishing qi. 1. Warm Needle Moxibustion. [Main Acupoints]Zhongwan (CV12), Shuifen (CV9), Tianshu (ST25), Qihai (CV6), Guanyuan (CV4), Pishu (BL20), Shenshu (BL23). [Additional Acupoints]For urinary difficulty and edema, add Shuidao (ST28) and Yinlingquan (SP9); for abdominal distension and diarrhea, add Zusanli (ST36); for dizziness, vomiting, and phlegm, add Fenglong (ST40). [Operation Method]This method combines acupuncture and moxibustion, allowing heat to be transmitted into the body through the needle. It is suitable for diseases requiring both needle retention and moxibustion. The operation method is as follows: After obtaining qi through acupuncture, fix the acupuncture needle at an appropriate depth, ignite the moxa wool pinched on the needle handle, and continue igniting until it burns out.

A section of moxa stick (1-2 cm long) can also be threaded onto the needle handle for moxibustion. After the moxa wool burns out, replace it with another moxa cone and perform moxibustion again, 2-3 cones each time. Once a day or every other day, one month is one course of treatment. [Location of Acupoints](1) Zhongwan: In the upper abdomen, on the anterior midline, 4 cun above the umbilicus. (2) Shuifen: In the upper abdomen, on the anterior midline, 1 cun above the umbilicus. (3) Tianshu: In the middle of the abdomen, 2 cun from the umbilicus. (4) Qihai: In the lower abdomen, on the anterior midline, 1.5 cun below the umbilicus. (5) Guanyuan: In the lower abdomen, on the anterior midline, 3 cun below the umbilicus. (6) Shuidao: In the lower abdomen, 3 cun below the umbilicus, 2 cun from the anterior midline. (7) Pishu: On the back, below the spinous process of the thirteenth thoracic vertebra, 1.5 cun lateral to the midline. (8) Shenshu: In supine position, in the lumbar region, below the spinous process of the second lumbar vertebra, 1.5 cun lateral to the midline.

(9) Yinlingquan: On the medial side of the lower leg, in the depression below and behind the medial condyle of the tibia. (10) Zusanli: On the anterolateral side of the lower leg, 3 cun below Dubi (ST35), one finger-width away from the anterior border of the tibia. (11) Fenglong: On the anterolateral side of the lower leg, 8 cun above the tip of the lateral malleolus, lateral to Tiaokou (ST38), two finger-widths away from the anterior border of the tibia. Once daily or every other day, one month is one course of treatment.