Origin and History of Acupuncture and Moxibustion

Since primitive times, humans have spent tens of thousands of years learning and then improving on a variety of ways to heal themselves from both foreign enemies and the pain of sickness.

For example, acupuncture using stone needles, as well as moxibustion, in which "moxa" is used to start fires, have both been handed down to become healing methods that are still used today.

Moxibustion and acupuncture were established using Oriental medicine as a basis during the Yin and Zhou Dynasties of China (1500 BC to 700 BC). The Yellow Emperor and his retainers recorded many of their dialogues in an original medical text, called The Inner Canon of Huangdi. This is the world's oldest medical text, composed of sections such as the Basic Questions and the Spiritual Pivot (from approximately 1200 BC), and it records the effects of many drugs and medicines.

Within the text of the Spiritual Pivot are recorded the details of moxibustion and acupuncture. Originating in the Yellow River Basin, in the northern district where the earth is infertile (growing only vines and mugwort), stone needles for draining and putting pressure on pus and mugwort for health food and moxibustion were all that was available for use. It is said that by using moxa and stone needles, they were able to make use of the natural healing abilities of human beings.

Methods such as these had the advantage of simplicity, as well as being the methods best suited to humans.

If this medical text really is the origin of acupuncture and moxibustion, then these healing methods have a history of more than 3,000 years. In addition, the gradual addition of acupuncture and moxibustion to mainstream Western medicine is proof of the effectiveness of these healing methods.