Moxibustion
What moxibustion is, the research on breech presentation and other uses, the burn, smoke and allergy risks, and why pregnancy needs a clinician's advice first.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
What it is
Moxibustion is a technique used in traditional Chinese medicine that involves burning a herb close to the skin. A Cochrane review describes it as burning a herb close to the skin, in that review at the acupuncture point Bladder 67 (Zhiyin) at the tip of the fifth toe. [1] Technique details (direct versus indirect methods) are left to trained practitioners, and this page does not give instructions for doing it. We could not read a regulator or health agency page describing the methods.What a session involves
Heat is applied to chosen points with the burning herb. Trials have recorded discomfort due to smoke among adverse events. [2] Ask the practitioner how they prevent burns, ventilate the room and handle ash.Evidence by use
| Use | What reviews found | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Breech presentation (baby bottom-down late in pregnancy) | Cochrane 2012, 8 trials (1,346 women): moxibustion alone did not reduce non-head-down presentations at birth versus no treatment (P = 0.45); limited evidence overall, with some better results when combined with acupuncture or posture methods [1] | Limited evidence, mixed |
| Breech presentation, newer pooled analysis | 16 trials (2,555 participants): more head-down presentations at birth with moxibustion (RR 1.39), with stronger results in Asian populations than non-Asian [3] | Promising but limited |
| Knee osteoarthritis | An overview of 10 systematic reviews (57 trials, 5,149 people) rated the reviews as critically low in methodological quality [4] | Insufficient evidence |
Across all TCM Cochrane reviews only 2 concerned moxibustion. [5] Trials of moxibustion are hard to blind, so expectation can affect results.
Safety
A systematic review of adverse events found the most common were allergic reactions, burns and infections such as cellulitis and hepatitis C. Trials reported redness, blistering, itching, discomfort from smoke, fatigue, upset stomach and headache, and in pregnant women reports included premature birth and premature rupture of membranes. The authors concluded moxibustion is not entirely risk free and that the incidence is not known. [2]For burns, smoke and skin injury, see Moxibustion and Cupping Risks.
Who should take extra care
- Pregnancy. Do not use moxibustion for a breech baby without the advice of your maternity care provider; adverse events including preterm birth were reported in pregnant women. [2]
- Allergic reactions and burns are reported, so people with skin conditions or allergies should discuss it with a clinician first. [2]
- Tell your health care providers about any complementary approach you use. [6]
Qualifications
Training and licensing differ by country and state, and some places do not regulate it. See TCM Qualifications, Licensing and Medical Care and What Is Acupuncture? for the closely related practice.Frequently asked questions
What is moxibustion?
Burning a herb near the skin at chosen points; a Cochrane review describes it as burning a herb close to the skin. [1]
Does moxibustion turn a breech baby?
Evidence is limited and mixed: Cochrane found no reduction with moxibustion alone versus no treatment, while a later pooled analysis found more head-down births. [1][3] Talk to your maternity care provider.
Is moxibustion safe?
It can cause allergy, burns and infection, and the true rate is not known. [2]
Does moxibustion help knee arthritis?
Insufficient evidence: the reviews we read were of very low methodological quality. [4]
References
- Cephalic version by moxibustion for breech presentation. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2012. PubMed 22592693. Read 2026-10-22.
- Adverse events of moxibustion: a systematic review. Complementary Therapies in Medicine 2010. PubMed 21056845. Read 2026-10-22.
- Correction of breech presentation with moxibustion and acupuncture: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Healthcare (Basel) 2021. PubMed 34067379. Read 2026-10-22.
- An overview of systematic reviews of moxibustion for knee osteoarthritis. Frontiers in Physiology 2022. PubMed 35185621. Read 2026-10-22.
- Cochrane systematic reviews on traditional Chinese medicine: what matters, the quantity or quality of evidence? Phytomedicine 2022. PubMed 35104758. Read 2026-10-22.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH, US). Traditional Chinese Medicine: What You Need To Know. Last updated April 2019. Read 2026-10-22.
Education, not medical advice. This page is for general information. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for care from a qualified health professional. Natural does not automatically mean safe. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before changing your care, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition.