Tian Jiu

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and "天灸" (Tian Jiu) in Winter and Summer

Introduction to 天灸 (Tian Jiu)

"Tian Jiu" is a form of seasonal acupuncture treatment that involves the application of medicinal moxibustion (a therapy using heat from burning mugwort) to specific acupuncture points on the body. This treatment is traditionally performed during specific times of the year, with the most common periods being summer and winter. It is widely practiced in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as a way to strengthen the body’s immune system, improve health, and prevent illnesses.

Tian Jiu in Winter

Winter is considered a time when the body is naturally in a more receptive state for treatments that focus on warming and fortifying the body. According to TCM, the winter months are governed by the "Kidney" energy, which represents vitality, endurance, and overall life force.

• Method: During winter Tian Jiu treatments, moxibustion is often applied to specific acupoints, typically around the back and the kidneys. The warmth generated from the burning mugwort helps to invigorate the Kidney Qi, nourishing and restoring energy to this vital organ system.
• Benefits: Winter Tian Jiu aims to "warm the Yang" (the body’s internal heat and energy) and strengthen the body’s immune function, thus preventing colds, flu, and other cold-related illnesses. It also helps to boost vitality and energy levels, particularly in individuals who feel weak or fatigued during the colder months.
• Suitable for: Winter Tian Jiu is ideal for individuals who experience coldness, fatigue, and weakness. Those with chronic conditions like low energy, frequent colds, and digestive issues that worsen during winter can benefit. It is also helpful for people with deficiencies in Kidney Yang or overall constitution weakness.
• Contraindications: People who are prone to heat conditions or have excessive Yang (e.g., inflammation, high fever, or irritability) should avoid winter Tian Jiu. Individuals with active infections, excessive internal heat, or certain acute illnesses may not be suitable for moxibustion.

Tian Jiu in Summer

Summer represents a time of expansion and warmth in the traditional Chinese calendar, where the body’s Yang energy is naturally stronger. The summer months correspond to the "Heart" in TCM, and treatments during this period often focus on calming and balancing this organ system while also tonifying the body’s Yang energy in a more controlled manner.

• Method: During summer Tian Jiu treatments, the focus shifts to acupoints that target the Heart, lungs, and other parts of the body that might experience stress or imbalance due to the summer heat. Moxibustion is applied to certain points to balance excess heat, cool the body, and help maintain vitality.
• Benefits: Summer Tian Jiu helps clear heat from the body, improves circulation, and promotes cooling in areas of excess warmth. It can support the immune system, regulate the body's energy levels, and promote health during the intense heat of summer. This treatment is designed to maintain balance in the face of high temperatures and humidity, preventing exhaustion, heatstroke, or imbalances in the heart and circulation.
• Suitable for: People who experience conditions like excessive sweating, heat-related illnesses, or fatigue due to overwork during the summer months can benefit. Those with weak constitutions prone to heat exhaustion, as well as individuals with conditions of the Heart, might also find summer Tian Jiu helpful.
• Contraindications: People who are already prone to excessive sweating, dehydration, or are dealing with severe heatstroke should avoid summer Tian Jiu. It is also not suitable for individuals who are experiencing acute infections, fevers, or active skin conditions like rashes that are aggravated by heat.

General Considerations for Tian Jiu

• Who is Suitable for Tian Jiu:
  • People with weak constitutions or chronic illnesses.
  • Those looking to strengthen their immune system and energy reserves.
  • Individuals who experience frequent colds, digestive disturbances, or fatigue.
  • People with chronic conditions related to cold (in winter) or heat (in summer).
• Who is Not Suitable for Tian Jiu:
  • Pregnant women (especially during the early stages).
  • Individuals with active infections, fever, or inflammatory conditions.
  • People with excessive internal heat or those prone to hot flashes, excessive sweating, or high blood pressure.
  • People who are excessively weak or frail, particularly those with conditions that affect their ability to tolerate the heat generated by moxibustion