Period cramps aren't something you just have to live with. For over 2,000 years, Traditional Chinese Medicine has used moxibustion (warming therapy) to ease menstrual pain.
While conventional approaches rely on masking pain, moxibustion works differently. It addresses what's actually happening in your body: stagnation, poor circulation, and tension. And now, research is catching up to what generations already knew.
Here's when to use it, why it works, and how to get the most from heat therapy for your cycle.
What Moxibustion Actually Is
Moxibustion is heat therapy. Traditionally, dried mugwort (艾草) would be burned near specific acupressure points to warm the body, move Qi, and promote circulation. Today, moxibustion patches do the same thing, without the smoke or ceremony.
Why does heat help period pain?
When cramps hit, your uterine muscles are contracting intensely. Blood flow slows. Oxygen can't get where it needs to go. That's the ache you feel.
Heat works by:
- Relaxing those tight muscles
- Increasing blood flow to the area
- Dulling pain signals before they reach your brain
- Triggering endorphins (your body's natural pain relief)
In TCM, period pain signals stagnation. Blocked Qi and blood in the lower abdomen. Moxibustion warms that area, gets things moving again, and lets your body do what it's meant to do.
The Research Behind It
This isn't just ancient theory. Clinical trials back it up.
Studies show moxibustion significantly reduces pain in people with primary dysmenorrhea (period pain without an underlying condition). A 2017 review in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine found moxibustion outperformed conventional painkillers in some cases, with longer-lasting relief and fewer side effects.
What's more? Regular use doesn't just treat the pain you're in. It can reduce cramping severity over time. That's not masking symptoms. That's addressing the root.
Heat therapy is gentle. Non-invasive. And it works with your body, not against it.
Timing: When to Use Moxibustion Patches
Knowing when to use moxibustion makes all the difference. In TCM, prevention matters as much as relief.
Before Your Period (3–5 Days Out)
Start using patches in the days leading up to your cycle. This is when circulation in your pelvis starts slowing down, and stagnation begins to build.
Why it works: Warming the lower abdomen early keeps blood flowing smoothly and stops cramps before they start.
Where to apply: Lower abdomen or lower back.
Think of it like this: you're untangling the knot before it tightens.
During Your Period (Day 1–3)
If cramps show up anyway, moxibustion offers immediate, sustained relief right where you need it.
Why it works: Heat relaxes uterine muscles in real time.
Where to apply: Lower abdomen, lower back, or inner ankle (the Sanyinjiao point—four finger widths above your inner ankle bone).
Unlike painkillers that take 30–60 minutes to kick in, heat starts working within minutes.
How to Use Moxibustion Patches
Pick your spot:
- Lower abdomen (a few finger widths below your belly button)
- Lower back (over the sacrum)
Stick it on clean, dry skin.
The patch warms up within minutes and holds heat for 4 hours.
Wear it all day, or overnight.
They're discreet under clothes. Lots of people find them most soothing while they sleep.
Stay hydrated.
Warm water or herbal tea helps circulation and supports your body as it releases tension.
How often? As needed during your pre-menstrual and menstrual phases. Consistent use across cycles can help reduce pain long-term.
What Else Moxibustion Does
Most people reach for moxibustion to ease cramps. But the benefits don't stop there.
Mood & Emotional Balance
Period pain rarely shows up alone. Irritability, fatigue, and mood swings often come with it. Heat therapy activates your parasympathetic nervous system, your body's rest mode, helping you feel calmer and more grounded.
In TCM, warming the lower abdomen supports the Kidney and Spleen systems, which govern vitality, emotional resilience, and hormonal balance.
Digestive Relief
Bloating and digestive discomfort around your period? Abdominal warmth helps ease tension and keeps things moving.
Long-Term Cycle Support
Moxibustion isn't just about this cycle. It's about supporting your body's rhythm over time. With regular use, many people notice less pain and more regularity as their cycles settle.
Why Patches?
Moxibustion patches bring generations of wisdom into your everyday life. No smoke, no burning herbs. Just warmth that works with your body's natural rhythms.
At Muihood, we don't treat Chinese medicine like a trend. We treat it like what it is: medicine. Your body deserves care that honours that, without the fuss.
