MOXA

Photos by Harry Wheeler and Anna Moffat

Since 2018 I have been foraging my own mugwort and making moxa from it. I am really interested in the idea that local plants help support the people who also live in the same region. Different varieties of mugwort grow abundantly all over the world. I’m particularly interested in the cultures which have kept specific herbal traditions alive.

In Japan, mugwort is commonly eaten in rice cakes with sweet bean paste in the middle. It’s used in bathing, cosmetics, food and of course as moxa. Self-moxa is still a popular practice in Japan and moxa features in old Japanese poems, art work and folk lore. Through my current research I’m learning more moxibustion methods and learning how moxa fits into healing cultures and plant cultures in Japan.

There are so many forms of moxa - direct and indirect forms, and variants of each. Moxa is many things and has many benefits. It’s a folk medicine, used for centuries by many people as a self-care or domestic practice. It’s a clinical medicine used by practitioners for detailed and nuanced treatments. Boosting blood flow while allowing the body to absorb the plants anti-inflammatory compounds can serve the body in all sorts of ways.

Using moxa I’ve supported patients with uterine prolapse, severe and chronic back pain, breech babies, chronic pain and neuralgia, endometriosis, IBS and much more. It’s a non-invasive treatment which can help the body regulate. I am training in various styles of moxibustion treatment including the gentle heat-pushing style of Sawada Sensei - who was a famous moxibustionist in the early 20th century in Japan. This method enables you to gradually build the heat in an area by pushing out the moxa onto the skin which minimises burn risk and is very soothing.

I teach groups of acupuncturists in-person and online about moxa and mugwort traditions. I have taught in Yorkshire, Lancashire, Edinburgh, Toronto, Victoria B.C, Kyoto and many online sessions. I was delighted in summer 2025 to teach with my colleague Maki Inagaki in Edinburgh and we hope to return together in future.

Get in touch if you’re keen to arrange a class with me.

TESTIMONIAL FROM MOXA FOR ACUPUNCTURISTS IN-PERSON WORKSHOP (Edinburgh, 2025)

Even after forty three years of study and practice I learned something new to add to my practice! Thank you Hannah and Maki for a wonderful day in a wonderful setting in Edinburgh, such a luxury not to have to go too far for learning and great company of other like minded practitioners.

TESTIMONIAL FROM MOXA FOR ACUPUNCTURISTS IN-PERSON WORKSHOP (Edinburgh, 2025)

I was so pleased I made the journey for this workshop. The day was fun and informative. I am using the skills I learnt in my clinic already. The location of the workshop was great and the networking opportunity was brilliant. I will definitely come again and start saving up for a visit to Japan.

TESTIMONIAL FROM 2ND YEAR ACUPUNCTURE CLASS INTRODUCTION TO MOXA SKILLS ONLINE WORKSHOP (Edinburgh, 2025)

I thoroughly enjoyed this lesson and found the content very useful. It was good to have our packs of moxa at home and practice different ways of using it. It was worth being on Teams to have the benefits of being taught by Hannah. It’s really good to learn about this specialist study by someone who has expertise and experience.

TESTIMONIAL FROM SELF-CARE MOXA IN-PERSON WORKSHOP (Edinburgh, 2025)

Hannah and Maki ran the most lovely, nourishing self-care Moxa workshop. We learnt all about Moxa, how you can harvest the herb, dry it and then make your own Moxa to use on yourself. I loved the whole experience, learning, understanding, making then practicing on ourselves.

Both Hannah and Maki are wonderful teachers, they are calm, funny and have a wealth of knowledge which they are eager to impart so we can look after ourselves when you can’t go and get a Moxa treatment from a practitioner.

The workshop was full of lovely, warm people, we talked, laughed, shared stories and learnt so much about Moxa and the huge benefits of self practice. Can’t wait for the next workshop, thank you Hannah and Maki for bringing this to Edinburgh.

TESTIMONIAL FROM LET’S HAVE FUN WITH MUGWORT IN-PERSON WORKSHOP (Edinburgh, 2025)

I attended the Mugwort session. We foraged for Mugwort, and learned so much about this amazing plant ally! Making the Mochi was great fun and it was really lovely to cook in a group. Obviously eating the Mochi was fabulous! It was so exciting to find out how accessible it is to be able to make Mochi and forage, and I'm looking forward to having a go at making my own moxa punk, once harvest-time comes around! I can very much recommend this delightful course!

TESTIMONIAL FROM A WEBINAR FOR THE COLLEGE OF INTEGRATIVE VETERINARY THERAPIES (2024)

...refreshingly insightful and extremely practical (derived from own experience rather than just quoting studies and research)...

Today’s webinar definitely inspires me to collect my own Mugwort, grind and prepare the plants and form my own moxa cones (because – why not make your own materials, once in a while 😊).

The content of today’s webinar also rekindled my interest in more practical old traditional methods that help heal more than physical ailments (referring to ‘dreams’ and emotional solutions).’

- Susanna, Malaysia, Member of College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies