As a part of the study of Moxibusion, we have examind the leaves of Altemisia vulgaris L. var. indica Maxim (Altemisia) to clarify the structure of one by macroscopic, scanning electron microscopic and transmission electron microscopic observation.
We obtained results as follows;
First, when the structure of Altemisia grown in the sunlight was compared with one grown in the shade, the leaves of the former containd much hairs than one of the latter on both young and matured ones.
Second, the hairs of young leaves were dense, thick and short and the cross section of one showed round shape. On the other hand, in the hairs of matured leaves, their cross section were flat.
Third, as a result of comparison with Altemisia and Gnaphalium multiceps Wall (Gnaphalium), the former had some kinds of glandular hairs and head-form hair except T-form hair, although, the latter had only one kind of head-form hair except woolly hair.

To investigate the mechanism of moxibustion therapy, the temperature at the surface of the skin and the subcutaneous tissue during moxibustion was measured using CA-thermocouple.
Male ddy mice (5 weeks old) were used as experimental animals. Animals are treated by single moxibustion of 1, 2 and 5mg of moxa cones and multiple one of each weight on the right and left LV-14. We obtained the following results.
In the single moxibustion, the increase in the maximum temperature was observed according to the weight increase in moxa cones (0.5-2mg). The elongation of the retention time that the temperature was kept above 40°C and of the recovery time which was required for the temperature to return at the given one (pre-moxibustion temperature +5°C) was also significant with the moxa cone of 0.5-2mg.
In the multiple moxibustion, the increase in the maximum temperature was significant with the moxa cone of 1-2mg and these increase in cone numbers was apparent up to 4 cones on the surface of skin and up to 6 cones on the subcutaneous tissue. After that, the maximum temperature approached to the given value. The retention time was elongated according to the increase in the weights of moxa and in the cone numbers. The recovery time was also elongated according to the increase in the weights of moxa, but these time by the increase in cone numbers showed mild elongation.

Effects of single moxibustion on platelet aggregation and ATP-release in mice have been studied. Male ddY mice (6 weeks old) were used as experimental animals. 15mg and 5mg of moxa were divided into 6 cones and mice were treated by each 3 cones at right and left LV-14. The electronic aggregometer was used for measuring platelet aggregation and ATP-release using whole blood. Platelet aggregation and ATP-release activities were determined by collagen (final concentration; 2μg/ml) and ADP (final concentration; 20μM) as inducers.
No significant changes on platelet and red blood cell numbers were found after the moxibustion with 15mg of moxa. However, white blood cell numbers were decreased at 1hr and increased at 24hr after the moxibustion.
After the moxibustion with 15mg of moxa, platelet aggregation activity induced by collagen showed no change, but the mild shortness of lag time was observed from 1 to 5hr. While, the mild suppressive effect on platelet aggregation induced by collagen was observed at 1 and 5hr after the moxibustion with 5mg of moxa.
After the moxibustion with 15mg of moxa, mild increase in platelet aggregation activity at 24hr and in ATP-release activity from 1 to 5hr was found. After the moxibustion with 5mg of moxa, an apparent increase in ATP-release activity was observed at 1 and 3hr.
These results suggested that the mild changes in platelet functions were closely related with the response of the coagulation and the fibrinolytic activity in mice.

There have been not enough information about the biological effects of moxibustion. The symposiums have been opened on the meetings of Japan Society of Acupuncture and Moxibustion. Many significant results of moxibustion have been discussed on these symposiums. The symposium, “Present Research on Moxibustion”, was opened on the 52nd meeting of Japan Society of acupuncture and Moxibustion in 2003. The contents on this symposium were following.
The outline of fundamental research on moxibustion was presented by Dr. Aizawa. From his report, the various researchers have tried to elucidate the mechanism of moxibustion. These have been many presentations of moxibustion at the meeting of The Japan Society of Acupuncture and Moxibustion.
The histological investigation on treated area was presented by Dr. Menjo. From her report, the increase of cutaneous change was observed from the treated area after moxibustion. This result was significant on the decision of moxibustion-stimulation.
The immunological investigation on the effects of moxibustion was presented by Dr. Tohya. From his report, cytokines as IL-12 and IFN-γ was expressed by moxibustion. These results demonstrated that such effects are dependent on the chemical substances in moxa.
The effect of Onkyu was presented by Dr. Nakanishi. From his report, the transportation by Onkyu-stimulation is different from that by acupuncture-stimulation. His results demonstrated that chemical mediator by Onkyu-stimulation acts to the nervous system.
These presented results supposed the significant information and to contribute the development of moxibustion-medicine.

In order to clarify the morphological changes in the producing stage of moxa and the differences in the quality of various commodity moxa, we observed samples of each producing stage and several kinds of commodity moxa by the naked eye, scanning and transmission electron microscope.
We confirmed that moxa consisted of T-form hair taken from a mixture of leaf stems and leaves obtained from shredded and ground Altemisia leaves. However, no significant changes were observed in the T-form hair itself since the stem of the T-form and short T-form hair were removed.
Concerning differences in the quality of commodity moxa, differences in the extraneous matter on the hair surface, uniformity of thickness of hair, flatness, crookedness, size of each wad of hair and smoothness of hair surface were observed in addition to the traditional color, impurity, texture, smell and etc.

 By using a simplified model for cardiovascular system which consists of the cardiac resistance R_h, the artery C_a, the vein C_b and the peripheral vessel R_s, the ratio of the arteriovenous pressure difference Δp to the maximum arteriovenous pressure difference Δp_M was defined as the circulatory ratio θ ≡Δp ⁄ Δp_M. It was shown that the circulatory ratio θ was θ=1 ⁄ 2 regardless of the exercise. It was revealed that this regulation is done by keeping R_h ⁄ R_s constant and the ratio is equal to the arterial compliance fraction k_a.

The scientific basis of moxibustion using moxa was investigated, focusing on the characteristics and thermal stimulation properties of moxa, its biochemical characteristics and actions, and morphological changes in skin tissue treated with moxibustion. The presentations by and viewpoints of the symposists are outlined below:
1) Characteristics and thermal stimulation properties of moxa:The thermal stimulation properties of Artemisia princes Pamp., moxa, materials other than Artemisia princes Pamp., and materials similar to moxa were presented. Re-investigation of the results of common views of Artemisia princes Pamp. and moxa by experiments and a survey were also presented.
2) Biochemical characteristics and actions of moxa:Chemical substances contained in Artemisia princes Pamp. and moxa, and diverse physiological actions of moxa, such as an anti-oxidative stress action, signal transduction, activation of energy metabolism, and anti-inflammatory action, were presented with viewpoints. In addition, biochemical actions were reviewed based on the extraction of new chemical components.
3) Morphological changes in skin tissue treated with moxibustion:Moxibustion-induced morphological changes in the epidermis, connective tissue, blood vessels, and nerve tissue were presented. Regarding skin tissue regeneration, viewpoints were presented, emphasizing that actions of corneocytes and fibroblasts are particularly important, in addition to revascularization, nerve fibers are not regenerated unless the skin tissue is repaired to a certain degree.

The results of multi-center RCT of acupuncture and moxibustion for the prevention of the symptoms of common cold conducted by the financial support of the foundation for training and licensure examination in anma-massage-acupressure, acupuncture and moxibustion were briefly reviewed. Traditional acupuncture manipulation to the throat induced significant positive effects, however, more common indirect moxibustion to the neck for longer period did not induce the significant effect compared with no-treatment control. Several issues to be resolved were discussed and the shortage of duration of intervention was pointed out as one of the major issues. Then four pilot studies with long-lasting intervention of acupuncture or moxibustion were con-ducted. The effects tended to be more positive, however, they were still unclear. The selection of subjects (students in the acupuncture school) will be the next important issue to be examined.