moxa

[ mok-suh ]

noun

1. a flammable substance or material obtained from the leaves of certain Chinese and Japanese wormwood plants, especially Artemisia moxa.
2. this substance or a similar one of cotton, wool, or the like, placed on the skin usually in the form of a cone or cylinder and ignited for use as a counterirritant.

moxa

/ ˈmɒksə /

noun

1. a downy material obtained from various plants and used in Oriental medicine by being burned on the skin as a cauterizing agent or counterirritant for the skin
2. any of various plants yielding this material, such as the wormwood Artemisia chinensis

Word History and Origins

Origin of moxa¹

1670–80; by uncertain mediation < Japanese mogusa, equivalent to mo ( y ) e burn + -gusa, combining form of kusa herb

Word History and Origins

Origin of moxa¹

C17: anglicized version of Japanese mogusa, contraction of moe gusa burning herb

Example Sentences

It is really the Moxa of South America under an altered name.

From Project Gutenberg

Only these portions named might not have a moxa applied to them.

From Project Gutenberg

Others extended the value of the moxa beyond these affections.

From Project Gutenberg

In these tubes they sometimes placed lighted tobacco and blew down upon the part affected after the manner of a moxa, I suppose.

From Project Gutenberg

Moxa were cones of cotton wool or other substances which were placed upon the skin and burned.

From Project Gutenberg