Moxa Warm Canning Deemed Medical Act; Unlicensed Practitioners Face Up to NT$1.5 Million Fine
Taiwan's Ministry of Health and Welfare has reiterated that moxa warm canning (Ai Cao Wen Guan) is a medical act, to be performed only by Chinese medicine practitioners or nurses under their instruction. Unauthorized practitioners face severe penalties, including up to 5 years imprisonment and a NT$1.5 million fine.
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- 📰 Published: April 30, 2026 at 17:01
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Shen Pei-yao, Taipei, 30th) The ancient practice of moxa warm canning and moxibustion remains a top choice for many seeking health and wellness. The Ministry of Health and Welfare recently issued an official interpretation (函釋) reminding that it is a medical act and can only be performed by Chinese medicine practitioners or nurses under the instruction of a Chinese medicine practitioner. Otherwise, the maximum penalty is 5 years imprisonment and a fine of NT$1.5 million.
The Department of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy of the Ministry of Health and Welfare issued an official interpretation on April 27, clarifying doubts regarding the legality of folk therapy practitioners performing moxa warm canning massage. The document states that "Artemisia argyi leaf" (艾葉) is a Chinese herbal medicine recorded in the Taiwan Herbal Pharmacopoeia, possessing effects such as warming meridians to stop bleeding, dispelling cold to relieve pain, and calming the fetus. Its application through warm sliding cupping massage involves the Chinese medicine "moxibustion method," which should be performed by a Chinese medicine practitioner, or by nursing personnel under the instruction of a Chinese medicine practitioner.
Su Yi-chang, Director of the Department of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, told the media today that the reason for issuing the interpretation was primarily due to recent feedback from local health bureaus regarding ambiguities in determining whether moxa warm canning and moxibustion constitute medical acts.
In fact, Su Yi-chang explained that in the past, there were cases of burns from moxibustion and warm canning, and an interpretation was issued as early as 2002 (民國91年) stating that moxa warm canning is a medical act and cannot be performed by folk therapy practitioners. Subsequent interpretations have also been issued multiple times, and folk therapy practitioners have been guided to compile relevant operating manuals to regulate the scope of practice and protect public rights.
Su Yi-chang emphasized that the prohibition was clearly established 20 years ago, including massage and Tui Na shops, which are not allowed to use fire cupping because it involves burning, and even alcohol can pose an explosion risk. In other words, burning moxa has always been prohibited, and there is no difference between the current interpretation and previous ones. Over the years, there have been relevant training and practice guidelines, and local health bureaus conduct inspections, with the number of violations gradually decreasing in recent years.
Su Yi-chang pointed out that this interpretation primarily clarifies two principles: first, ensuring environmental safety, as using fire can cause dangerous injuries, and there have been burn cases in the past, with alcohol sometimes posing an explosion risk, which should be explicitly prohibited; second, moxa is a Chinese herbal medicine, and warm canning and moxibustion are medical acts. Folk therapy practitioners can only engage in massage and Tui Na, and are not allowed to use any form of warm canning or moxibustion.
The interpretation states that if individuals without the aforementioned medical professional qualifications perform medical acts such as "moxibustion" or "fire cupping," they will be subject to the provisions of Article 28 of the Medical Practitioners Act or Article 24 of the Nursing Personnel Act. Violators may face imprisonment of not less than 6 months and not more than 5 years, and a fine of not less than NT$300,000 and not more than NT$1.5 million. (Edited by Li Heng-shan) 1150430
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(Central News Agency reporter Shen Pei-yao, Taipei, 30th) The ancient practice of moxa warm canning and moxibustion remains a top choice for many seeking health and wellness. The Ministry of Health and Welfare recently issued an official interpretation (函釋) reminding that it is a medical act and can only be performed by Chinese medicine practitioners or nurses under the instruction of a Chinese medicine practitioner. Otherwise, the maximum penalty is 5 years imprisonment and a fine of NT$1.5 million.
The Department of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy of the Ministry of Health and Welfare issued an official interpretation on April 27, clarifying doubts regarding the legality of folk therapy practitioners performing moxa warm canning massage. The document states that "Artemisia argyi leaf" (艾葉) is a Chinese herbal medicine recorded in the Taiwan Herbal Pharmacopoeia, possessing effects such as warming meridians to stop bleeding, dispelling cold to relieve pain, and calming the fetus. Its application through warm sliding cupping massage involves the Chinese medicine "moxibustion method," which should be performed by a Chinese medicine practitioner, or by nursing personnel under the instruction of a Chinese medicine practitioner.
Su Yi-chang, Director of the Department of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, told the media today that the reason for issuing the interpretation was primarily due to recent feedback from local health bureaus regarding ambiguities in determining whether moxa warm canning and moxibustion constitute medical acts.
In fact, Su Yi-chang explained that in the past, there were cases of burns from moxibustion and warm canning, and an interpretation was issued as early as 2002 (民國91年) stating that moxa warm canning is a medical act and cannot be performed by folk therapy practitioners. Subsequent interpretations have also been issued multiple times, and folk therapy practitioners have been guided to compile relevant operating manuals to regulate the scope of practice and protect public rights.
Su Yi-chang emphasized that the prohibition was clearly established 20 years ago, including massage and Tui Na shops, which are not allowed to use fire cupping because it involves burning, and even alcohol can pose an explosion risk. In other words, burning moxa has always been prohibited, and there is no difference between the current interpretation and previous ones. Over the years, there have been relevant training and practice guidelines, and local health bureaus conduct inspections, with the number of violations gradually decreasing in recent years.
Su Yi-chang pointed out that this interpretation primarily clarifies two principles: first, ensuring environmental safety, as using fire can cause dangerous injuries, and there have been burn cases in the past, with alcohol sometimes posing an explosion risk, which should be explicitly prohibited; second, moxa is a Chinese herbal medicine, and warm canning and moxibustion are medical acts. Folk therapy practitioners can only engage in massage and Tui Na, and are not allowed to use any form of warm canning or moxibustion.
The interpretation states that if individuals without the aforementioned medical professional qualifications perform medical acts such as "moxibustion" or "fire cupping," they will be subject to the provisions of Article 28 of the Medical Practitioners Act or Article 24 of the Nursing Personnel Act. Violators may face imprisonment of not less than 6 months and not more than 5 years, and a fine of not less than NT$300,000 and not more than NT$1.5 million. (Edited by Li Heng-shan) 1150430
Choose to stand with the facts. Every sponsorship you provide is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and audio-visual content of this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.