
18/06/2025
San Fu Moxibustion - What it is and Why we do it.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, San Fu Moxibustion is a treatment given during the hottest days of summer. Its aim is to treat winter diseases during the summer. Traditionally, people have been given this treatment in the form of a warming herbal plaster. This treatment is given 3 times over the course of about one month spanning the "dog days of summer".
The theoretical concept behind San Fu is that we are capturing some of the strongest yang energy of the year and storing it away to strengthen our immunity and prepare for autumn and winter when cold, flu, and other respiratory illness are prevalent.
Central to Oriental medicine is the practice of preventative medicine. Given our recent experience of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is vital that we keep our immune systems as strong as possible. The concepts behind San Fu therapy have been clinically researched to do just that!
The Process
Traditionally, in China, the first treatment is given on a specific day in the month of July. A follow-up treatment is given 10 days later, and a final treatment given 10 days after that. The exact dates when the treatments are best given are calculated according to the Chinese Lunar calendar as the three days predicted to be the hottest days of the year. It is thought that at these times you can most effectively treat the ailments of the autumn and winter and support the general health of the immune system by nourishing the yang energy of the body. San Fu treatment effectively helps prevent illness and improves resistance against the cold pathogens of the colder seasons.
Traditionally, San Fu treatment uses acrid, warm and dispersing herbs that are ground into powder and mixed with ginger juice. Once mixed they form an herbal paste. This paste is applied to specific points on the body, usually on the upper back. These points correlate with bolstering the immune system, fortifying the lung and dispersing exterior pathogens. The plaster is left on the points for up to 6 hours. The herbs are very warm and may increase in intensity to produce local redness, heat, and/or even blisters. This is normal and with proper hygiene & care, heal very well. The suggested dosage of treatment is to receive the 3 consecutive treatments during these specific summer dates for 3 summers consecutively.
Having said that, I prefer to perform these treatments using a much more gentle, yet still effective indirect Moxa treatment, and include the use of a TDP heat lamp to drive Yang energy deep into the tissues of the body to obtain the desired effect. This avoids the need to retain plasters on the skin for 6 hours, and removes the risk of blistering
When to get Treatment
The dates specified below are the 'Traditional' dates on which this therapy is performed. The 'Traditional' dates this year are :
2025: July 20, July 30, August 9
If you are interested in experiencing this treatment, or for more information, please either call me on 07781 116930, email me on prnh@outlook.com, or message me on Facebook, or through this website. Why not give it a try? I think you'll see the difference!