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.

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.

A study was made of the suitability of acupuncture for neuropathies. The present case of polyneuropathy showed decreased vibratory sense as well as other disturbed sensory functions which were not improved by medication. The Kampo diagnosis of this case was determined to be deficient qi and blood, and deficient qi with stagnated blood. The treatment indicated by this diagnosis was harmonizing the qi and blood, and unblocking the meridians. Such disorders with other complaints were improved by acupuncture and medication.
The case study presented here indicated how acupuncture could be used for certain neuropathies.

It has been suggested that various neurological diseases (particularly those accompanying aging, the cranial nerves, etc.) involve oxidative stress. Some of these diseases have been successfully controlled with traditional herbal medicine. In the present study, Ougi-keishi-gomotsu-to, reported to be effective against subacute myelo-opticoneuropathy (SMON), showed an inhibitory effect on lipid peroxidation of homogenate by hydroxy radical, a type of active oxygen derived from the interaction of Fe³⁺ and 8-hydroxyquinoline. 8-hydroxyquinoline is a homologue of chinoform, which is causally related to the pathogenic process of SMON. It has also been indicated that Ougi-keishi-gomotsu-to has a hydroxy radical scavenger with radical-quenching effects. It is, therefore concluded that Ougi-keishi-gomotsu-to has an inhibitory effect on oxidative stress.

The levels of stress-related hormones in the blood were measured before and after doing Qi Gong health-maintenance exercises, and a control group of walkers with a similar level of movement selected for the basis of a comparative study. The adrenaline, noradrenaline and growth hormone responses of the Qi Gong group were compared with the pre-exercise values. Although no significant difference was observed immediately after exercise, there was a significant drop in all values 30 minutes after exercising. Similar changes in the blood cortisol were noted in the Qi Gong group and walker group. Compared with the pre-exercise value, both group exhibited significant reduction in blood cortisol both immediately following exercise and 30 minutes after exercise, with the lowest value occurring 30 minutes after exercise. In contrast to the increase in stress-related hormones typical after light exercise that was seen in the walker group, the significant reduction response seen in the stress-related hormones of the Qi Gong group with the similar amount of movement was seen as unusual. This suggested that Qi Gong may be a positive means of stress-reduction and a useful health-maintenance method in today's stressful society.

In the previous paper, we reported that the indirect moxibustions (ginger- or garlic-moxibustions) kept high-temperature rather than those of the diathermic moxibustions. However, the effects of the indirect moxibustions include not only thermal stimulations but also medicinal actions of the materials. In this study, we found the effects of radical scavenger in ginger and garlic with ESR spin trapping technique. This suggested that ginger- or garlic-moxibustions were available to treatment of disease caused by the radicals.

In previous report, we showed that moxa inhibit generation of superoxide as one of active oxygen species.
In present study, we investigated on radical scavenging effects of various moxas with DPPH-method.
These results showed that various moxas have radical scavenging effects and the difference of radical scavenging activities. The difference of activities should be due to the difference of grade of moxas.

The examinations of essential oils in highest-, high-, and regular- grade commercial moxa were carried out by gas-liqiud chromatography. These results showed that highest grade-moxa contains lower alkanes but high and regular moxa contain higher alkanes in high and regular moxa.
On the quality control of moxa, it is necessary to examine how components contain in moxa.