Direct moxibustion has been a common used moxibustion method in Japan, has required moxa floss of high-quality, and has promoted the development of a moxa floss manufacturing method unique to Japan. At the same time in China, because indirect moxibustion and the stick moxibustion method has been commonplace, low moxa floss of a purified standard has been produced with a simple manufacturing method. However well-refined moxa has become available in China recently, and it is now more similar to that in Japan.
In this study, we investigated the difference between highly-refined moxa made in Japan and China based on reports from Japanese clinicians on the usability of moxa in firsthand practice. We performed a questionnaire survey with the country of manufacture blinded in 265 moxibustion clinicians. The number of valid responses was 164 (61.9%).
To the question asking what the difference between the two types of moxa was, 54.9% of clinicians responded there was “a little difference,” and more than half responded with “better usability” and “favorability” for the Japanese moxa. Of 119 clinicians who performed moxibustion, 85 (71.4%) selected “comfort” for the Japanese moxa.
We therefore conclude that Japanese clinicians recognize moxa refined with the Japanese manufacturing method as more suitable for direct moxibustion treatment.