Moxafrica is a charitable organisation set up in 2008 in the UK to investigate the use of moxibustion therapy for the treatment of tuberculosis.

(UK Charity Commission Registration Number 1128408).

Moxibustion

Moxibustion (or "moxa") a 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 intend to carry 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.

Moxa has the advantages of being very cheap and easy to use, and the therapy has traditionally been taught to patients to use on themselves or their relatives at home.  There are no patents attachable to this treatment, and its low-tech nature may mean that it is especially suitable for the very places where it might be of most benefit.

Tuberculosis

TB is the second largest infectious killer in the world today - endemic to populations cursed with poverty and enduring poor living conditions. 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, rates both of mortality and of latent infection with TB are the highest in the world, and the proper tools for diagnosis and appropriate treatment are the most scarce. Drug supply is also often inconsistent and inadequate.

Those who may ultimately benefit most from this work are people anywhere in the developing world who are infected with TB and have access to inadequate medical treatment by the standards of the developed world. Because of the particular regional problems, however, we are focusing our efforts mainly on countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

Moxafrica's aims

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 are completing some important preliminary phases to maximize and build optimal efficacy into our final treatment protocols whilst maximizing patient safety. We are now starting out 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, day in day out. 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.

Our intention is to conduct our investigations in the real environment in which TB currently thrives, in contrast to more conventional research models which would research the disease in controlled and well equipped hospital environments. These latter approaches tend towards reducing variables to the minimum achievable in controlled environments. We do not consider this approach to be either practical or relevant in an investigation such as we are progressing, given the current situation with the disease in Africa which is highly variable, impossible to appropriately assay, and so often out of control.

Conducting the investigation this way, we intend to effectively establish whether or not moxibustion might truly be of use in these environments. They are very 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. If this proves to be the case, we will make every effort to promote and facilitate this.

The work is anticipated to be spread over at least two years. Our approach is low-budget 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.

Moxafrica has been co-founded by two practising acupuncturists in the UK (Merlin Young and Jenny Craig) who have wide experience and expertise in the field of acupuncture and moxibustion as well as experience both in research and relief work.