 |
Moxafrica is a charitable organisation set up in 2008 in the UK to investigate the use of moxibustion therapy for the treatment of tuberculosis, particularly drug-resistant TB, in resource poor environments.Double a donation
in Christmas Challenge Week
Dec 5th - 9th!
Moxibustion
- is a herbal preparation made from the leaves of the mugwort plant (Artemisia spp.).
The brief smouldering of tiny pieces of moxa against the skin is called direct moxibustion and has been used in East Asian medicine for centuries, both in conjunction with acupuncture treatment and on its own. Therapeutically it is known to have positive effects on blood circulation and to enhance the immune system. This is supported by published research particularly from Japan.
Direct moxibustion has a history which includes claims of treating and curing TB and TB-type disease. We are carrying out research and investigation using the model of action research in order to establish whether moxibustion can help combat TB in present day conditions and if so how this might best be achieved.
Direct moxibustion has a history which includes claims of treating and curing TB and TB-type disease. We are carrying out research and investigation using the model of action research in order to establish whether moxibustion can help combat TB in present day conditions and if so how this might best be achieved.
Tuberculosis
TB is the second largest infectious killer in the world today - endemic to populations cursed with poverty and enduring poor living conditions it is the AIDS defining illness in Africa. It kills 70% of those left untreated and its bacteria have an innate propensity for even more lethal mutation. In combination with HIV/AIDS it is lethal. In Africa, TB rates both of mortality and of latent infection are the highest in the world, and the proper tools for diagnosis and appropriate treatment are the most scarce. Drug supply is also inconsistent and inadequate.
Moxafrica's aims are to investigate as best we possibly can to establish whether moxibustion may have a part to play in the fight against TB in the 21st century.
To do this we have completed some important preliminary phases to maximize and build optimal efficacy into our final treatment protocols whilst maximizing patient safety. We are now facilitating action research studies in several countries in Africa in partnership with existing medical facilities, engaging in the process with each and every one of the problems faced in fighting this disease. These problems include inadequate drug supply, drug-resistance in local strains of TB, lack of local infrastructural support, poor patient treatment compliance and high levels of co-infection with HIV/AIDS
We intend to effectively establish whether or not moxibustion might truly be of use in these environments. These are different from those in which it has been used in East Asia in the past but nevertheless they share certain important aspects - amongs them poverty and malnutrition. We intend to gather as much qualitative and quantitative information as possible in the most efficient way we can manage in order to establish whether further more targeted research might be urgently necessary.
The work is anticipated to be completed over at least two years. Our initial approach is low-budget, low-tech and deliberately collaborative.
Moxafrica is committed to maintaining the highest standards in our approach both in terms of patient safety and in consideration of the complex issues implicit within our approach.
(Current status indicators are printed in blue)
Preliminary literature research
- Analysing the surviving moxibustion literature of traditional oriental medicine from the last two thousand years. (completed)
- Resourcing and analysing the key scientific papers on treatment of TB with moxa from Japan (in Japanese). (complete)
- Resourcing and analysing the key scientific papers on the immunological and histological effects of moxa (in Japanese). (completed)
- Collating the above and publishing accordingly. (completed: a two-part paper published by the European Journal of Oriental Medicine on immunological responses to moxa;)
Conducting our own primary research
- On temperatures at base of moxa cones of different sizes and with different types of moxa. (Completed - two-part paper published in the North American Journal of Oriental Medicine)
– On potential improvements in CD4 count in long term HIV/AIDS patients in the UK currently on ARV medication with the use of daily direct moxa. (Deferred subject to further assistance from Freshwinds charity which we had hoped to have collaborated with on this)
– on potential simple blood changes in healthy individuals. (Deferred)
Establishing collaborative partnerships including training healthworkers
- A fact finding feasibility study establishing how African health workers and patients receive the idea of moxa treatment . (Trip completed to Lyantonde, Uganda. December 2009)
.
- Developing a collaborative partnership with the Kiswa and Kisenyi Health Centres in Kampala and training selected health workers in the moxa protocol, who in turn will train TB patients' cares in a daily regime.(Began March 2010 - completed May 2011)
Allen Magezi & Sister Magdalene Ichumar at Kiswa
.
- Developing further similar collaborative partnerships as opportunities arise.
(Begun March 2011 in New Crossings, Nyanga, Capetown, and Robertson South Africa)
.the carers learning moxa skills at Nyanga
- Collaboratively refining appropriate treatment protocols in each facility to suit local challenges.(ongoing)
- Agreeing simple and flexible feedback systems for the purpose of later general data analysis from each facility and maintaining data retrieval at monthly intervals. (ongoing)
.
Developing a research project with an African University to confirm validity of any reported treatment benefits from the facilities (Currently developing Phase II RCT with Makerere University Medical School [Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics], Kampala, Uganda)
Finally -
Subject to overall analysis and assessment of results, to publicise the results in any appropriate media in order to facilitate wider implementation of moxa treatment for TB in the developing world