moxa

 
Pronunciation: /ˈmɒksə/

noun

[mass noun]
  • a downy substance obtained from the dried leaves of an Asian plant related to mugwort. It is burnt on or near the skin in Eastern medicine as a counterirritant.
    • The plant is Crossostephium artemisioides, family Compositae

Origin:

late 17th century: from Japanese mogusa, from moe kusa 'burning herb'