#34 Merlin Young on the History of Moxibustion, Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis, and Founding a Healthcare NGO

Pacific Rim College Radio

Merlin Young is determined to provide safer and more effective treatment for the world’s most deadly pandemic that today is killing more than 3,000 people per day: tuberculosis. In particular, Merlin has spent the past 14 years working with moxibustion in the treatment of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis, work that has taken him to many places including Uganda, South Africa, and North Korea.

Along with Jenny Craig, Merlin is co-founder of Moxafrica, a British-based charity investigating direct moxibustion immunomodulation as an adjunctive treatment for TB. He is a practitioner of Japanese Acupuncture and is author of The Moon Over Matsushima: Insights into mugwort and moxibustion.

In this episode, Merlin and I explore the history of moxibustion, discuss the challenges and victories of conducting moxibustion research and running a charity, probe through the global plight of tuberculosis and especially multi-drug resistant TB, and finish with a call-to-help for a Uganda family who has been pivotal in the work of Moxafrica in Uganda.

Merlin has a deep reservoir of knowledge of the ancient and often misunderstood practice of moxibustion, and his insights are helpful to both the acupuncture practitioner and layperson. It helps that he is an exceptional storyteller and has immense passion for his work of service to others. He is also incredibly generous with his time and knowledge and specifically has offered to engage with anyone to discuss the challenges our world faces and what our medicine might offer those who are most vulnerable. Light some artemisia, or perhaps incense, and settle in as Merlin blazes a global path of moxibustion. Please enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with Merlin Young.

Episode Links:

Moxafrica

2 peer-reviewed paperson Moxafrica’s research

Donate to Esther’s Surgery Fund

The Moon Over Matsushima by Merlin Young

Blowing in the Wind: Drug-Resistant TB and the Poor by Merlin Young

Hard Rain: Forecasting the Future for Tuberculosis by Merlin Young

Learning Links:

School of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine at PRC

Online Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine courses at PRCOnline

Student Clinic at PRC