Mugwort is a plant deeply familiar to Vietnamese people — in meals, folk remedies and old ways of keeping the body warm for centuries. At Ngải, the warmth of mugwort becomes one of the most important steps in every body treatment.
Moxibustion is inscribed by UNESCO on the list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity (2010).
What is moxibustion?
Moxibustion uses the heat of a burning mugwort stick to carry warmth and herbal essence into the acupoints on the body. Across East Asia, mugwort has long been used in many ways — eaten, applied, compressed, steamed — and found especially helpful for conditions of cold and of poor circulation.
What makes moxibustion special is that the warmth goes deep, not just heating the skin's surface. Applied to the right points, it softens muscle, clears stagnation, and lets a tight area let go and feel at ease again.
How Ngải brings moxibustion into a session
In Ngải's therapeutic massages, moxibustion usually follows the herbal soak — once the muscles have softened and the pores have opened. The therapist takes a few lit mugwort sticks and moves them slowly, a small distance from the skin, over the acupoints that need care. You'll feel a warmth spreading, comforting and relaxing.
After moxibustion come the aroma steam, acupressure and release — each step preparing the next, so the whole treatment is one complete journey rather than a few separate motions.
A small note
Moxibustion needs an experienced therapist to judge the right distance, the right points and the right timing. That's why Ngải treats it not as an "add-on" but as a core part of a therapist's craft.
Experience the Ngải therapy
Ngải Signature is the complete healing — moxibustion, herbal soak, aroma steam and acupressure.