Simple Steps to Identify High-Quality Moxa Sticks
After recently experimenting with moxibustion, I’ve learned how to choose good moxa sticks and rolls—something I hadn’t paid much attention to before. It’s easy to end up with low-quality products if you don’t know what to look for. That’s why I’d like to share three simple and intuitive methods I learned from an expert to distinguish good moxa from bad. Perfect for beginners!
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Smell
You can tell a lot by the scent. Authentic moxa has a fresh, minty aroma. New moxa has a stronger smell, while aged moxa (remember, always use aged moxa for moxibustion!) is milder. When burned, pure moxa produces a soft, smooth smoke that smells pleasant—not harsh like burning paper or firecrackers. -
Look
Appearance is also a good indicator. I personally use moxa made from three-year-old leaves stone-ground into wool. It has a tan-brown color. If the moxa wool looks green, it may not be adequately aged. I don’t recommend extremely fine “golden” wool, either. It’s often machine-processed multiple times, which causes the loss of natural oils and makes it easier to counterfeit. Also, the ash left after burning pure moxa should be grayish-white—not black or yellow. -
Soak
Finally, try the soaking test. Place the moxa wool in hot water and let it sit for a few minutes. High-quality moxa will release a clear, tea-like liquid with a pure and mild scent. The wool should remain fluffy with very little floating residue.
If you’re new to moxibustion, these three steps are definitely worth learning!