The information in this article is for informational purposes only. Please consult a qualified Chinese medicine practitioner to find out if moxa is right for you and specifics on duration and contraindications.
Child’s Palace (Zi Gong) Moxibustion
This is a wonderful treatment when applied by a practitioner or as a self-care technique to be done in between acupuncture or abdominal therapy appointments (consult your practitioner). I love how this treatment makes me feel! Clients have reported feeling the soothing heat travel through the meridians as well as a comforting warmth throughout the pelvis and pelvic floor. These points are traditionally used for fertility enhancement, prolapsed uterus, and irregular menstruation. These points have also been reported to be beneficial for blood stagnation that can lead to uterine fibroids. Other conditions of blood stagnation according to Chinese medicine are PCOS and endometriosis. Moxibustion is not meant to replace medical care, so if you are experiencing any of these symptoms please seek the advice of a trained medical professional.
There is wisdom in ancient techniques that withstands the test of time. This form of moxa is non-invasive, feels great, and costs very little to do at home (about $20 for the tiger warmer and $6 for a box of moxa-pennies per treatment).
To find the Child’s Palace points. Andrea Weber, LAc, MAcOM at Well Within explains Child’s Palace is an equilateral triangle down from the belly button-the width of the woman’s smile. 🙂 How sweet is that? It reminds me of the smiling down to your womb meditation I teach after women complete their self-care massage. I’m sure the two combined would be a powerful practice on so many levels! By the way, if you’re ever in Gresham, Oregon make an appointment with Andrea, she is fantastic and does lots of different modalities. 
Personally, I like the “mom’s smile” measuring system, but if you want to practice the Cun measuring system I’ve explained how to find the points below. Zi Gong is found 3 Cun from the midline and 4 Cun down from the navel. A cun is a measurement used to locate acupoints on the body. In general, one cun is equal to the space between the distal interphalangeal joint and the proximal interphalangeal joint in the middle finger (see image below). Everyone’s body is a different size and proportion so using a person’s own finger size is a way of using their inborn measurement system. Of course, you aren’t going to pick up a person’s hand and move it around their body like a measuring tape, so if you are doing acupoints on someone else, take a look at their hands and do your best estimate. Don’t worry about being exact, using the moxa stick allows for some flexibility because the heat radiates out a bit.
The pink dots represent where the Palace of the Child or Zi Gong points are.
Kittens Love To “Help”.
Please seek help from an acupuncturist who can teach you in person how to administer the treatment.
Equipment I use:
- Small Tiger Warmer (not a Lion Warmer)
- Small Moxa Sticks. The sticks I have are smokeless moxa. The size is 3.5″ X 0.15″ (9X0.4cm)
These are the sticks I have.
- Lighter
- Moxa Extinguisher/ash collector an ashtray will work as well.
- May use a pillowcase between skin and moxa burner if your skin is sensitive, numb or thin.
Recommended reading for professionals: Moxibustion: A Modern Clinical Handbook
Cautions:
- Use common sense, you are working with a hot ember.
- Do not administer on numb areas. Work with a trained practitioner if your skin is numb.
- Do not use Moxa on the belly or low back during pregnancy. Consult a Chinese medicine practitioner if pregnant.
- Do not leave burning moxa stick unintended
- Always make sure the spring is in place
- Use a sheet between the skin and Tiger Warmer if you or your client has thin skin or is very sensitive.
- Make sure moxa is extinguished completely in the proper moxa extinguisher when you’re done with the treatment
- Do not do this with kittens or baby goats in the room.
Check out my Womb Care online course. The Womb Care course contains over eight hours of video and 10 ebooks centered around reproductive health!
Hi Barbara! Will the kitten’s help during treatment be an additional charge 🙂
I’ve asked them and they said, “the first one is free”. You may want to consider adopting in exchange for daily cat paw treatments. 😉
Is there any specific time that is recommended for this technique? especially if you are trying to conceive? before ovulation? or does it matter at all?
Thank you!
Yes, in the follicular phase, leading up to ovulation.