OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between the temperature and time in moxa cone moxibustion with different purities of moxa.

METHODSAccording to the purities, the moxa were divided into a 10 : 1 group, a 20 : 1 group, a 30 : 1 group and a 40 : 1 group, 30 moxa cones in each group. With the VICTOR DM6902 electronic thermometer, the temperature of the undersurface center at different time points during the moxa cone moxibustion with different purities of moxa was measured. Once the moxa cone was ignited, the results were recorded at the end of each second. Also the temperature peak of the undersurface center and the time when the peak occurred were recorded.

RESULTThe undersurface temperature was increased in all the groups; the time of moxa cone reaching the lowest peak temperature was significantly different in all the groups (all P<0. 05), which was the 10 : 1 group, 20 : 1 group, 30 : 1 group and 40 : 1 group from slow to fast. 50 s, 60 s, 70 s, 80 s and 90 s after moxa cone was ignited, the temperature of moxa cone at the same time point was significantly different in all the groups (all P<0. 05), which was the 10 : 1 group, 20 : 1 group, 30 : 1 group and 40 : 1 group from slow to fast. Conclusion Among the moxa with purity of 10 : 1, 20 : 1, 30 : 1, and 40 : 1, the temperature change rate of the low-purity moxa cone is smaller than that of higher purity, and the stimulating duration of the former is longer than the latter. It is believed that the moxa with purity of 40 : 1 is suitable for scarring moxibustion; the moxa with purity of 30 : 1 and 20 : 1 is suitable for the non-scarring moxibustion; the moxa with purity of 10 : 1 is suitable for gentle moxibustion therapy. The high-purity moxa can also be applied to the field of the low-purity moxa.