Moxibustion · Seasonal Therapy · Clinical Monograph
San Fu Jiu 三伏灸
Treating winter diseases in the summer
§ Abstract
San Fu Jiu, also known as San Fu Moxibustion, is a distinctive therapeutic and healthcare method in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It combines the principles of temporal medicine, acupuncture, and herbal medicine, creating a comprehensive therapy timed to the hottest days of the year.
I.
The San Fu Period
During the specific period known as the San Fu Period — the hottest and most yang phase of the year, corresponding to the peak of the summer season — the body’s yang energy is abundant.
As a result, the skin pores become loose and dilated, allowing the abundant qi and blood of the meridians to flow towards the body surface. It is this openness that the therapy is timed to exploit.
II.
Mugwort & the Method
The specific method used is called moxibustion, which involves burning the herb known as mugwort. Mugwort has a warming nature and can stop bleeding, expel cold, and alleviate pain.
The heat generated by mugwort circulates through the meridians, targeting areas affected by dampness and heat, and dispersing cold and dampness.
The Principle
The heat energy warms the yang, and the yang energy dispels cold. San Fu Moxibustion utilises the timing (during the Fu Period), collects the earth’s qi (from mugwort), and sweeps away the cold and yin energy within the body — achieving the goal of “treating winter diseases in the summer”.
III.
The Four Effects
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, San Fu Jiu has the following effects:
Warming & Opening the Meridians
The heat from moxibustion promotes blood circulation, relieving pain and discomfort caused by stagnation of qi and blood — such as in the case of cold legs in the elderly.
Dispelling Cold & Eliminating Dampness
The combination of heat during the San Fu Period and the warmth of mugwort can warm the body and expel cold and dampness from it, benefiting conditions such as impotence in men and dysmenorrhoea in women.
Clearing & Unblocking the Meridians
Moxibustion can enhance the circulation of qi and blood, unblock the meridians, and achieve balance between yin and yang in the body — beneficial for individuals with suboptimal health.
Strengthening the Body & Promoting Health
San Fu Jiu helps enhance the body’s immune system, improve constitution, and prevent diseases — particularly suitable for individuals with qi deficiency, a weak constitution, and those recovering from major illnesses.
IV.
Which Maladies Are Suitable?
Respiratory System Disorders
Chronic cough, asthma, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), recurrent colds.
Rheumatic & Immune-Related Diseases
Joint pain, numbness in limbs, frozen shoulder, rheumatoid arthritis, cold and damp pain.
Digestive System Disorders
Chronic hypofunctional gastritis, diarrhoea, indigestion, loss of appetite, stomach pain, gastrointestinal ulcers, gastrointestinal dysfunctions.
Otorhinolaryngological Disorders
Allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, chronic pharyngitis.
Men’s & Women’s Health Issues
Impotence, premature ejaculation, irregular menstruation, gynaecological inflammation, infertility, postpartum lower back pain, uterine coldness, chronic pelvic inflammatory disease, dysmenorrhoea, diarrhoea during menstruation.
Cold Constitution & Low Immunity
Low immunity, cold extremities, aversion to cold, rheumatism, shoulder and back pain caused by cold, and individuals with a weakened constitution or prolonged illnesses.
Modern Lifestyle Patterns
For individuals who stay up late, are frequently exposed to air conditioning, experience excessive stress, or have a workaholic lifestyle.
If you suffer from conditions such as cold uterus and dysmenorrhoea, spleen and stomach deficiency cold, cold hands and feet, aversion to wind and cold, rheumatic joint pain, shoulder and back pain caused by cold, or easy susceptibility to colds, please seize this opportunity to use this method.
V.
Precautions
It should be noted that San Fu Jiu is not suitable for everyone.
Not Suitable For
- Pregnant women
- Those with acute infections
- Those with a high fever
- Those with skin diseases
Before undergoing San Fu Jiu, please consult a professional Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner at Huatuo Clinic for an evaluation and guidance based on your individual physical condition.
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The San Fu Period comes once a year. If cold and damp have settled in, this is the window to treat them at the source.