18 years ago I was in Beijing and I saw people lining up to get San Fu Heavenly Moxibustion. I was visiting China with my teacher and we were there during the summer. I remember being in the hospital and people were first getting moxibustion on their backs and then getting a medicinal paste placed on six points on their back. The patients all said it was very helpful for asthma, cough, wheezing and frequent winter colds. Many of the patients had this treatment performed two to three years in a row and they found it very helpful. Since then it has always been in the back of my mind and I decided to offer this treatment to patients in Mamaroneck and Westchester.
What is San Fu Heavenly Moxibustion?
There are many methods of moxibustion that require the burning of moxa or mugwort over acupuncture points. One type that does not require the burning of moxa is called heavenly moxibustion. Instead of burning moxa a medicinal paste is applied to various acupuncture points. The medicinal paste contains warming herbs that cause mild skin irritation. This paste is left on for a few hours. This particular treatment was first recorded during the Qing dynasty in China. This treatment was shown to be very helpful for asthma and other chronic lung conditions that are worse in the cold weather.
What Conditions Is San Fu Moxibustion Helpful For?
- Chronic Asthma
- Chronic Bronchitis
- Frequent Colds or Flu in the winter Winter
- Lung Conditions that are worse in the Cold Weather
- Seasonal Allergies
- Lower Back Pain Worse in Cold Weather
- Knee Pain Worse in Cold Weather
When is San Fu Heavenly Moxibustion Applied?
Traditionally San Fu Heavenly Moxibustion is applied during the hottest days of summer. San Fu or（三伏) translates as “three hidings” or “dog days”. Each of the three fu’s occur during a ten day period during the warmest days of summer. The reason this treatment is performed during this time is to take advantage of the warm weather or yang qi to help the body resolve what we call yin pathogens. The warmth of the summer is used to help the body resolve its tendency to be sensitive to cold in the winter. We are treating winter diseases in the summer.
The dates for San Fu are calculated using the Chinese Calender which means each year the dates will be slightly different. The San Fu Heavenly Moxibustion Treatment will be offered in the acupuncture office in Mamaroneck this year. The dates it will be offered are listed below。The treatment will only take 15-20 minutes since only the medicinal paste will be applied.
Dates for 2024
| First Treatment (1st Fu) | July 15th (Monday) |
| Second Treatment (2nd Fu) | July 25th（Thursday) |
| Third Treatment (3rd Fu) | August 14th (Sunday) |
Is this treatment Suitable for all patients with asthma or chronic lung conditions?
The answer to this question is no. As always Chinese Medicine is never a one size fits all treatment. Most patients will require a consultation to determine if they are suitable to receive this treatment. Just as internal herbal formulas are customized for each patient, San Fu Heavenly Moxibustion is customized as well. For patients that have lung conditions worse with cold weather they will do well with this treatment. For patients that experience asthma in warm humid weather or when exercising they will mostly likely require a different Chinese medicine approach. Most often internal herbal medicine which is also offered in the office.
Please call the office in Mamaroneck at (914) 772-4044 to schedule a consultation and your Heavenly Moxibustion treatment for this summer.