What To Do After Moxibustion

Moxibustion therapy is a healing method that requires consistent maintenance over time. Many people often don’t know what to do after a moxibustion session. In fact, post-moxibustion care is just as important — it’s an integral part of the entire therapy. Proper aftercare can enhance the effects of moxibustion and help prevent discomfort.

If you’re wondering what to do after moxibustion, the following six care tips can help you support your recovery and allow your body to heal more quickly.

1. Keep Warm and Avoid Cold

After moxibustion, your pores are open, allowing cold air to enter the body more easily.

• Within two hours after treatment, avoid exposure to cold wind or contact with cold water, and take special care to keep the treated areas warm.
• In summer, if you use air conditioning, keep the temperature above 26 °C. You can cover your shoulders, neck, waist, and other areas with a thin blanket.
• If you need to go outside, it’s best to wear a turtleneck or scarf to protect yourself from the wind.
• As for bathing, wait at least four hours before taking a warm shower. A hot bath can accelerate blood circulation and may cause dizziness or fatigue. If you need to clean yourself sooner, use a warm towel to wipe the body, avoiding the treated acupoints.
• In addition, it’s best not to soak your feet on the same night after moxibustion to avoid reducing the therapeutic effect.

2. Stay Hydrated After Moxibustion

Moxibustion accelerates blood circulation and metabolism, but it also causes the body to lose water easily. Therefore, it’s important to rehydrate soon after treatment. It’s best to drink warm boiled water (around 40 °C) and sip it slowly.

• You can add a few slices of red dates or a bit of cinnamon to the water — this helps both to hydrate and to replenish qi.
• Avoid drinking cold tea or iced beverages, as they can weaken the warming effect of moxibustion.
• People with high blood pressure should not drink more than 150 ml of water at a time.
• Those with diabetes may have some light green tea instead.
• If you experience dry mouth, you can take a few schizandra berries or maitake pieces to help relieve thirst.

3. Get More Rest and Regulate Your Emotions

It is recommended to rest for at least 30 minutes after moxibustion. Avoid strenuous exercise and overexertion. You may lie down, close your eyes, and take deep, slow breaths to help your body relax.

Feeling sleepy after moxibustion is a normal physiological response—it means your body needs rest. Make sure to get enough sleep to restore your strength.

Emotional balance is equally important. Try to stay calm and avoid getting too excited or angry. You can listen to soft music or do gentle stretching exercises. Reduce your use of mobile phones and computers at night to allow your body to recover more effectively.

What to do after moxibustion for better recovery, rest, and emotional management is are very crucial part.

4. Maintain a Warm and Gentle Diet

• Within 24 hours after moxibustion, avoid raw or cold foods such as crabs and sashimi.
• It’s recommended to eat mild, easily digestible dishes like millet porridge or pumpkin soup. You can also add a bit of shredded ginger to warm the stomach.
• For those with yang deficiency, Angelica Lamb Soup is beneficial.
• For qi and blood deficiency, Five Red Soup is a good choice.
• All foods should preferably be warm.
• Fruits can be lightly heated or boiled into tea before eating—avoid eating anything directly from the refrigerator.
• Those who receive moxibustion regularly can drink the Four Gods Soup (made with poria, gorgon fruit, yam, and lotus seeds) two to three times a week to help strengthen the spleen and stomach.

5. Pay Attention to Your Body’s Reactions

• After moxibustion, it’s normal for the skin to appear slightly red; this usually fades within a few hours.
• If a rash or blister appears, do not scratch it. If necessary, gently puncture it with a sterilized needle and apply comfrey oil.
• If you feel dizzy or anxious after moxibustion, it may be because the treatment lasted too long. Lie down, rest, and gently press the Neiguan point (PC6) to relieve discomfort.
• If diarrhea occurs, it may indicate that the body is expelling cold. You can drink some brown sugar, ginger, and date tea to warm the body.

If any discomfort persists for more than six hours, consult a qualified TCM practitioner promptly.

If you are still not sure what to do after moxibustion in order to better observe the changes in the body, remember: pay more attention, do not panic, and seek professional help if necessary.

6. Long-Term Care and Maintenance

• Keep a record of each moxibustion session — note the acupoints used, treatment duration, and any bodily reactions. This helps you observe changes and make proper adjustments over time.
• Avoid doing moxibustion more than four times a week, and limit each wellness session to no longer than 90 minutes.
• During special seasonal periods, such as the Sanfu Days (the hottest days of summer), consult a TCM practitioner first to assess your body constitution and design a plan suited to your needs.
• Keep all moxibustion tools clean. Metal boxes should be disinfected monthly with alcohol, while wooden boxes should be kept out of direct sunlight. Store moxa sticks in sealed containers to protect them from moisture and insects.
• For those who receive moxibustion regularly, it’s best to have a tongue and pulse diagnosis every three months so the regimen can be adjusted to your current condition.

What to do after moxibustion is not only the care of the day, but also the long-term record and conditioning, so that the effect can be sustained and the body is getting healthier and healthier.