How long to use moxa?

Many friends know that moxibustion is beneficial and use it regularly, but they don’t know how long a single session should last.

Many people finish their moxibustion sessions in just a few minutes, but that’s not enough. In such a short time, the heat from the moxa has barely penetrated the skin’s surface. It hasn’t had time to travel through the meridians, let alone reach the internal organs. How could the results possibly be effective?

Regarding the question of moxibustion duration—the most frequently asked—I’ve noticed many practitioners assume ten minutes or so suffices. When results are unsatisfactory, they often conclude the moxibustion itself is ineffective.

So what is the ideal duration for moxibustion?

Based on my personal experience, for most individuals, each acupoint should receive at least half an hour of moxibustion per session. If time permits, extending the session to an hour or longer is even better.