Moxibustion

Souk has a long tradition in Korea, often used in complementary medicine for treating various diseases (Souk Dum) including to stop bleeding, and also as an ingredient in rice cakes and teas.

Souk is a species of Mugwort. Souk produced in the island of GangWhaDo, South Korea is best for Souk Dum (Moxibustion) as GangHwa’s climate and soil and sea wind is good for the plant’s growth.

The Souk leaf is bitter and acrid, producing warmth when used in small amounts and strong heat when used in large amounts. It is of pure yang nature having the ability to restore the primary yang function.

 It can open the twelve regular meridians, travelling through the three yin meridians to regulate energy known as Gi (also spelled Qi) and blood. It can expel cold and dampness, warm the uterus, stop bleeding, warm the spleen and stomach to remove stagnation, regulate menstruation and ease the fetus in the womb.

When burned, it penetrates all the meridians, eliminating hundreds of diseases. The acrid nature of the leaf can travel through the meridians, regulating Gi and blood, and expelling cold from the meridians and resolving dampness. As a result it is used as a necessary material in Souk Dum (moxibustion) treatment.  

Every May (around ‘Hansik’) young Mugwort is cut for hanging outside and away from sunlight. After one or two years it can be made into a powder or wool-like substance called Souk Dum (moxabustion).

1. To warm meridians and expel cold - depressed symptoms should be treated by Souk Dum alone, because depression is due to blood stagnation caused by cold, which should be dispersed by Souk Dum.” It is easy to understand that Souk Dum functions to warm up the meridians and promote blood circulation. Therefore, it is mostly used in clinic to treat diseases caused by cold-dampness and persistent diseases caused by pathogenic cold penetrating into the deep inner muscles.

2. To induce the smooth flow of Gi and blood - another function of Souk Dum is to induce Gi and blood to flow upward or downward. It is pointed out that “when there is an excess of Gi in the upper body, the Gi should be brought downward by pressuring the acupuncture points in the lower body.”
3. To strengthen yang from collapse - yang Gi is the foundation of the human body. If it is in a stable condition, one lives a long life; if it is lost, death occurs. All yang disorder is due to excess of yin, leading to cold, deficiency and exhaustion of the primary Gi, characterized by a fatal pulse. At this moment Souk Dum applied can reinforce yang Gi and prevent collapse.

4. To prevent diseases and keep healthy - clinical practice has proved that Souk Dum is very helpful in preventing disease and keeping healthy.

 Cancerous tissue is treated by heat (plus 42 degrees). Souk dum treated cancer tissue does not grow and Souk Dum is the preferred anti-cancer treatment in Complementary Therapy. Souk is rich in necessary medicinal properties and in the retention of heat during the therapy session.

 With Therapy the following beneficial results can be observed:

* Inflammation of the affected areas is reduced
* The immune system of the body is heightened
* Blood circulation is stimulated
* Digestive functions are improved
* The endocrine gland and its functions balanced/controlled
* White blood cells (leukocytes) and red blood cells (erythrocytes) are improved

1. Therapy is best one hour after a meal; avoid coming to therapy hungry.

2. During the course of treatment, discontinue alcohol and avoid sexual intercourse.

3. During the course of treatment avoid the following: Chicken; pork; cold food, (ice-cream, cold meat, cold water).

4. Likewise avoid (room) temperatures that are too cold.

5. Do not shower immediately after treatment: wait for three hours.

6. Rest and exercise appropriately.