Abstract
Moxibustion is a traditional method to cause intercutaneous thermal stimulation onto the human body by moxa smoldering. The thermal stimulation is greatly affected by the transient temperature of smoldering moxa. Until now published studies on the transient temperature of smoldering moxa have been imperfect in that the many influencing factors have not been sufficiently noticed. As part of a thermal engineering study on thermal stimulation caused by moxibustion, the relationship between the transient temperature of smoldering moxa and the influencing factors is investigated. The results are as follows. 1) The transient temperature of smoldering moxa not only related to the weight of the moxa and its density, but also to its size. 2) The transient temperature of smoldering moxa is affected by environmental factors (humidity, temperature and air flow). 3) For the purpose of realizing a desired transient thermal stimulation onto the human body, the mere adjustment of the weight, density, and size or shape of the moxa before smoldering, will be only an insufficient means to meet our expectation.
