Moxibustion for high blood pressure: what the research says
Systematic reviews and community trials of moxibustion for essential hypertension and prehypertension: reported effects on systolic blood pressure, uncertainty about diastolic pressure and long-term safety. No treatment claims.
Short answer: early systematic reviews found insufficient evidence that moxibustion treats hypertension [1][2]. A 2021 review of 18 randomized trials concluded, on low-to-moderate quality evidence, that moxibustion may reduce blood pressure, while its effect on symptoms and its long-term safety remain uncertain [3].
Do not stop or change blood-pressure medication without your doctor. This is an evidence summary, not advice. Moxa Sourcing makes no treatment claims.
How the evidence has developed
| Year | Source | Conclusion |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Systematic review, BMC Cardiovascular Disorders [1] | Insufficient evidence that moxibustion is an effective treatment |
| 2014 | Review, moxibustion as an add-on to drugs [2] | Some positive results, but no firm conclusion; most trials did not report adverse events |
| 2021 | Review of 18 RCTs [3] | May reduce blood pressure; effects on symptoms and long-term safety uncertain |
Community-based trials
- A randomized trial of community-based moxibustion for primary hypertension reported lower systolic pressure and better symptoms and quality of life, with mild adverse events and low cost. The effect on diastolic pressure remained uncertain [4].
- A 2026 trial of self-managed heat-sensitive moxibustion in community patients reported lower systolic pressure and good compliance, and the authors suggest it as an adjunctive strategy [5].
- A Korean pilot trial in prehypertension and stage I hypertension found that moxibustion three times a week for four weeks “might” lower blood pressure, and that frequency may matter [6].
Why to be cautious
- Blood pressure readings vary with relaxation and the setting itself. Without blinding, it is hard to separate the effect of moxibustion from the effect of resting during a session [7].
- Most trials were short. Long-term outcomes such as stroke or heart attack were not measured [3].
- Adverse events were often not reported in earlier trials [2].
Related pages
FAQ: related questions
Can moxibustion lower blood pressure?
A 2021 review of 18 randomized trials concluded, on low-to-moderate quality evidence, that moxibustion may reduce blood pressure; earlier reviews found the evidence insufficient. Effects on symptoms and long-term safety remain uncertain.
Can moxa replace blood pressure medication?
No. The evidence does not support replacing prescribed treatment. Several studies tested moxibustion as an add-on to medication or in community self-management programmes.
Sources for this page
- Kim et al. Moxibustion for hypertension: a systematic review. BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2010. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20602794/
- Xiong et al. Moxibustion for essential hypertension. Complement Ther Med 2014. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24559834/
- Zhou et al. Moxibustion for Essential Hypertension and Hypertensive Symptoms: A Systematic Review of 18 Randomized Controlled Trials. Complement Med Res 2021. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33494086/
- Zhou et al. Efficacy and safety of community-based moxibustion for primary hypertension: A randomized controlled trial with patient preference arms. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich) 2023. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37864810/
- Wang et al. [Effectiveness evaluation of heat-sensitive moxibustion self-management in community patients with essential hypertension： a randomized controlled trial]. Zhen Ci Yan Jiu 2026. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42779403/
- Shin et al. Moxibustion for prehypertension and stage I hypertension: a pilot randomized controlled trial. Integr Med Res 2019. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30596012/
- Does moxibustion work? An overview of systematic reviews (Lee et al.; PMC2987875). pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2987875/
Last reviewed: . Editorial note: this guide re-edits published sources; it does not provide medical advice or new research.
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