moxa

noun \ ˈmäk-sə \

Definition of moxa

: a soft woolly mass prepared from the ground young leaves of a Eurasian artemisia (especially Artemisia vulgaris) that is used in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine typically in the form of sticks or cones which are ignited and placed on or close to the skin or used to heat acupuncture needles

Origin and Etymology of moxa

New Latin, from Japanese mogusa

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1675

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

moxa

noun \ ˈmäk-sə \

medical Definition of moxa

1 : a soft woolly mass prepared from the ground young leaves of a Eurasian artemisia (especially Artemisia vulgaris) that is used in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine typically in the form of sticks or cones which are ignited and placed on or close to the skin or used to heat acupuncture needles

2 : any of various substances applied and ignited like moxa as a counterirritant