Moxibustion
During moxibustion, a trained practitioner burns an herb to apply heat close to the skin at specific points, which can lead to improvements in several common side effects of cancer treatments.
Moxibustion at a glance
Moxibustion involves the burning of dried herb, mugwort (Artemesia spp.), close to the skin’s surface to apply heat. There are several different methods of using moxibustion, some of which are considered “indirect moxibustion” where a stick or “moxa pole” is used over a small area of the body, or “direct moxibustion” where a moxa is burned near the skin with the use of a barrier such as a special cream to warm areas of the body. Moxibustion may be used alone or along with acupuncture.
Moxibustion is linked to decreased blood-related side effects of chemo/radiotherapy, cancer-related fatigue, and nausea and vomiting due to chemo/radiotherapy, plus better quality of life. It is often used in addition to conventional treatments rather than alone. It has not been studied for treating or reducing risk of cancer.
We discuss related therapies in these additional reviews:
CancerChoices ratings for moxibustion
We rate moxibustion on seven attributes, with 0 the lowest rating and 5 the highest. We rate the strength of the evidence supporting the use of moxibustion for a medical benefit, such as improving treatment outcomes or managing side effects.
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Improving treatment outcomes
See MoreWe did not find any published evidence that moxibustion has been investigated for improving treatment outcomes.
Optimizing your body terrain
See MorePeople with cancer treated with moxibustion showed signs of increased immune activation across several studies, and signs of less inflammation in one study.
Managing side effects and promoting wellness
See MorePeople with cancer who were treated with moxibustion showed less fatigue, less nausea and vomiting, or improved performance status (ability to do daily activities) in analyses of studies. People recovering from gastrointestinal surgery for cancer who were treated with moxibustion showed faster bowel recovery in an analysis of studies.
People with cancer who were treated with moxibustion showed less weakness across several studies. For people with breast cancer, those treated with moxibustion showed less lymphedema in an analysis of studies.
Across several studies, people undergoing chemotherapy who were treated with moxibustion showed higher white blood cell counts. People undergoing chemotherapy and radiation who were treated with moxibustion showed higher serum hemoglobin.
Reducing cancer risk
See MoreWe did not find any published evidence that moxibustion has been investigated for reducing risk of cancer or recurrence.
Use by integrative oncology experts
See More- Weak recommendation in two clinical practice guidelines for gastrointestinal symptoms, but possibly included as part of acupuncture treatment as a whole in further guidelines
- Used in traditional Chinese medicine
Safety
See More- Generally safe, with only minor side effects; caution and supervision are needed for people with specific conditions
Affordability and access
See More- Available from a trained professional
- Training for self-administration is available
- Low to moderate cost (under $2000 US/year)
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Authors
Ms. Hepp is a researcher and communicator who has been writing and editing educational content on varied health topics for more than 20 years. She serves as lead researcher and writer for CancerChoices and also served as the first program manager. Her graduate work in research and cognitive psychology, her master’s degree in instructional design, and her certificate in web design have all guided her in writing and presenting information for a wide variety of audiences and uses. Nancy’s service as faculty development coordinator in the Department of Family Medicine at Wright State University also provided experience in medical research, plus insights into medical education and medical care from the professional’s perspective.
Laura Pole is senior clinical consultant for CancerChoices. Laura is an oncology clinical nurse specialist who has been providing integrative oncology clinical care, navigation, consultation, and education services for over 40 years. She is the co-creator and co-coordinator of the Integrative Oncology Navigation Training at Smith Center for Healing and the Arts in Washington, DC. Laura also manages the “Media Watch Cancer News That You Can Use” listserv for Smith Center/Commonweal. In her role as a palliative care educator and consultant, Laura has served as statewide Respecting Choices Faculty for the Virginia POST (Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment) Collaborative as well as provided statewide professional education on palliative and end-of-life care for the Virginia Association for Hospices and Palliative Care.
For CancerChoices, Laura curates content and research, networks with clinical and organizational partners, brings awareness and education of integrative oncology at professional and patient conferences and programs, and translates research into information relevant to the patient experience as well as clinical practice.
Laura sees her work with CancerChoices as a perfect alignment of all her passions, knowledge and skills in integrative oncology care. She is honored to serve you.
Sophie received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Cambridge, where she studied Middle Eastern languages and the philosophy of science. She then completed a premedical post-baccalaureate at the City University of New York. Before joining CancerChoices, she worked for several years at the Cornell Center for Research on End-of-Life Care, where she helped to conduct research on terminal illness and grief. Working in end-of-life research filled her with the conviction that all patients deserve free, accessible, and scientifically accurate information about the therapies available to them. While taking classes in anthropology, she also became curious about traditional medical knowledge and philosophies. These interests led her to CancerChoices. She is delighted to be part of CancerChoices’s work creating rigorous, evidence-based treatment guides for patients and physicians.
Reviewer
Dr. Ryan served as a research associate for CancerChoices. She is a licensed and board certified naturopathic physician and acupuncturist in Oregon. Dr. Ryan is the founder of Gentle Natural Wellness, a clinic specializing in bridging classical Chinese medicine with naturopathic medicine to provide individualized, compassionate care for people in the community. A Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine and Master of Science in Oriental Medicine with honors from the National University of Natural Medicine, research in medical anthropology at the University of Hawai’i and George Mason University, language and culture programs at Obirin University (Tokyo) and Sogang University (Seoul), and studies of Chinese herbal medicine and qigong in China have provided a diverse background that has helped form a foundation for her community health and healing path.
Last update: August 27, 2025
Last full literature review: September 2021
CancerChoices provides information about integrative in cancer care, a patient-centered approach combining the best of conventional care, self care and evidence-informed complementary care in an integrated plan cancer care. We review complementaryin cancer care, complementary care involves the use of therapies intended to enhance or add to standard conventional treatments; examples include supplements, mind-body approaches such as yoga or psychosocial therapy, and acupuncture therapies and self-care lifestyle actions and behaviors that may impact cancer outcomes; examples include eating health-promoting foods, limiting alcohol, increasing physical activity, and managing stress practices to help patients and professionals explore and integrate the best combination of conventionalthe cancer care offered by conventionally trained physicians and most hospitals; examples are chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy and complementary therapies and practices for each person.
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