Literature investigation and expert consultation were adopted to construct the theoretical framework and item pool of
Moxibustion ; Thermosensing

For an establishment of application standard of moxibustion, this review was undertaken to consider the current methodologies of moxibustion therapy. Research articles appearing in 3 web-based databases were selected using 9 key words; moxibustion (Korean words; gubeob, guyobeob, tteum, tteumyobeop, ssugtteum, guchiryo), moxa cone, direct moxa, and indirect moxa. In vivo or in vitro studies were grouped and the types, sizes and numbers of moxa cones employed in those studies were abstracted and compared. Total 109 articles reviewed here included 56 clinical studies, 39 animal studies and 14 in vitro studies concerning combustion of moxa. For clinical studies, indirect moxa are mostly employed (33/56), whereas direct moxa for animal studies (34/39). Moxa cone size appeared highly variable, ranging from 0.05 to 50 mg in rice-sized moxa (miripdae) and numbers of moxa cone used in a single treatment varied between 1 and 9. Moreover, there was no correlation between the moxa cone size and the number of moxa cones per treatment. Moxibustion therapy is being increasingly used but is under the neglect of the proper type (direct or indirect), size and numbers of moxa cones. Standard protocol thus needs to be established for an evaluation of therapeutic potential and further clinical application of moxibustion.
Animals ; Korea ; Moxibustion

OBJECTIVEMoxibustion is an important traditional Chinese medicine therapy using heat from ignited moxa floss for disease treatment. The purpose of the present study is to establish a reproducible method to assess the color of moxa floss, discriminate the samples based on chromatic coordinates and explore the relationship between chromatic coordinates and total flavonoid content (TFC).

METHODSMoxa floss samples of different storage years and production ratios were obtained from a moxa production factory in Henan Province, China. Chromatic coordinates (L*, a* and b*) were analyzed with an ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer and the chroma (C*) and hue angle (h°) values were calculated. TFC was determined by a colorimetric method. Data were analyzed with correlation, principal component analysis (PCA).

RESULTSSignificant differences in the chromatic values and TFC were observed among samples of different storage years and production ratios. Samples of higher production ratio displayed higher chromatic characteristics and lower TFC. Samples of longer storage years contained higher TFC. Preliminary separation of moxa floss production ratio was obtained by means of color feature maps developed using L*-a* or L*-b* as coordinates. PCA allowed the separation of the samples from their storage years and production ratios based on their chromatic characteristics and TFC.

CONCLUSIONThe use of a colorimetric technique and CIELAB coordinates coupled with chemometrics can be practical and objective for discriminating moxa floss of different storage years and production ratios. The development of color feature maps could be used as a model for classifying the color grading of moxa floss.

The basic structure and application manipulations of the multi-function moxibustion couch are introduced in this article. The designation of the couch is reasonable and its structure is simple. With easy manipulations and simple application, fumigation and moxibustion therapy is fulfilled by the moxa roll ignited under the couch. It has the characteristics of heat and medicine concentrating with strong penetration and extensive application area. And it can be applied especially on pain of the neck, shoulder, low back and leg, diseases of stomach and intestines, complicated gynaecological diseases as well as on health keeping.
Humans ; Moxibustion ; instrumentation ; methods

Humans ; Moxibustion ; methods ; standards

Acupuncture Therapy ; Moxibustion

This paper expounds the definition and nomenclature of experimental acupuncture and moxibustion science. The definition of experimental acupuncture and moxibustion science limits its study contents; experimental characteristics and its importance determine experimental methods becoming as main study methods of experimental acupuncture and moxibustion science, but the experiment must combine with clinical trails, can more scientific conclusion be attained. It can be seen from the intension and extension of the definition of experimental acupuncture and moxibustion science that only "experimental acupuncture and moxibustion science" can more accurately summarize this discipline.
Acupuncture ; Animals ; Humans ; Moxibustion

Acupuncture ; China ; Moxibustion

Acupuncture and moxibustion sciences have a long history, and their unique discipline language and theoretical system determine the obvious differences between acup-moxibustion sciences and modern natural sciences in the nomenclature. Their inheritance and development of several thousand years make the complicated nomenclature of acupuncture and moxibustion more confusing, unclear classification, unclear definition. Therefore, establishment of a unified and standard acupuncture and moxibustion nomenclature system is not only an important premise and basis for standardization, modernization, internationalization and information construction of acupuncture and moxibustion sciences, and also is an important composition of whole TCM standardization. The present paper preliminarily probe the necessity, basic principle, train of thought and relative problems, etc. in the studies of standardization of the nomenclature of acupuncture and moxibustion sciences.
Acupuncture ; Moxibustion ; Terminology as Topic

The paper gives a consideration on the development of the national standard, Pure Moxa Stick. It is proposed that the principle and requirements for the development of product standard should be adhered to, while focusing on the applicability and safety of pure moxa stick. In terms of quality, the specific requirements should be developed on the ratio of moxa floss, wrapping paper and adhesives. Regarding the specifications, either the market demands or the resource waste prevention should be considered. In safety, the combustion temperature and moxa smoke control are the key issues.
Moxibustion ; Smoke/analysis* ; Temperature