Shen Xueyong, Ding Guanghong, Wei Jianzi, Zhao Ling, Zhou Yu, Deng Haiping, Lao Lixing
Acupuncture & Tuina College, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China.
Complement Ther Med. 2006 Sep;14(3):213-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2005.09.003. Epub 2005 Dec 15.
Moxibustion has been a part of acupuncture practice for thousands of years. Traditionally, it includes direct moxibustion, in which moxa sticks are burned at acupuncture points on the skin, and indirect moxibustion, in which monkshood cakes or ginger or garlic slices are used to insulate the skin from burning moxa cones. Recently randomised clinical trials and clinical observations suggest that moxibustion can enhance physiological and immune functions, but there has been little investigation of the scientific basis of these traditional techniques. The present study compared the infrared radiation caused by these techniques to that of non-specific controls and to that of the human body surface at an acupuncture point.
A highly sensitive, infrared-spectrum detection device was used to compare the spectra of traditional moxibustion materials (n = 4/group) with those of control materials (n = 4/group) and to the spectrum at the surface of an acupuncture point LI 4 (Hegu) in healthy volunteers (n = 7).
The infrared radiation intensity produced by a traditional moxa stick was 43300.41 mV, with a peak on the infrared spectrum of 3.5 microm, while the respective radiation intensities of two controls, a smokeless moxa stick and a 555 cigarette, were 31.15 mV and 37.03 mV with peaks of 7 microm and 3.5 microm. The infrared radiation intensities of the three traditional media of indirect moxibustion, monkshood cake, ginger slices and garlic slices, were 520.27 mV, 594.79 mV and 681.87 mV, respectively, all with peaks around 7.5 microm and similar spectra. In contrast, the infrared radiation intensities of slices of cucumber and carrot, used as control media for indirect moxibustion, were 274.47 mV and 50.53 mV, respectively, substantially different from those of the traditional media. Infrared radiation at LI 4 (Hegu) was 20.40 mV, and peaked on the infrared spectrum at about 7.5 microm. The experiment showed that the thermal action of the traditional moxa stick was more potent than that of indirect moxibustion and its radiation peak was different from that at the acupuncture point on the human body. In contrast, the thermal action of traditional indirect moxibustion was modest and its radiation peak matched that at the acupuncture point.
Direct moxibustion with a traditional moxa stick may produce its potent therapeutic effects by thermal action, while traditional indirect moxibustion may act by producing modest thermal action and a sympathetic vibration at the skin surface. Non-traditional thermal materials and media may not be suitable substitutes for traditional materials. The data provide a scientific, biophysical rationale for traditional moxibustion.
艾灸作为针灸疗法的一部分已有数千年历史。传统上，艾灸包括直接灸，即将艾条在皮肤的穴位上燃烧；以及间接灸，即使用附子饼、姜片或蒜片使皮肤与燃烧的艾炷隔开。最近的随机临床试验和临床观察表明，艾灸可增强生理和免疫功能，但对这些传统技术的科学依据研究甚少。本研究比较了这些技术所产生的红外辐射与非特异性对照以及人体穴位体表的红外辐射。
使用高灵敏度的红外光谱检测装置，比较传统艾灸材料（每组4种）、对照材料（每组4种）的光谱，以及健康志愿者（7名）合谷穴（LI 4）体表的光谱。
传统艾条产生的红外辐射强度为43300.41 mV，红外光谱峰值在3.5微米处；而两种对照物，无烟艾条和555香烟的辐射强度分别为31.15 mV和37.03 mV，峰值分别在7微米和3.5微米处。间接灸的三种传统介质，附子饼、姜片和蒜片的红外辐射强度分别为520.27 mV、594.79 mV和681.87 mV，峰值均在7.5微米左右且光谱相似。相比之下，用作间接灸对照介质的黄瓜片和胡萝卜片的红外辐射强度分别为274.47 mV和50.53 mV，与传统介质有显著差异。合谷穴（LI 4）的红外辐射强度为20.40 mV，红外光谱峰值约在7.5微米处。实验表明，传统艾条的热作用比间接灸更强，其辐射峰值与人体穴位处不同。相比之下，传统间接灸的热作用适中，其辐射峰值与穴位处匹配。
使用传统艾条的直接灸可能通过热作用产生显著的治疗效果，而传统间接灸可能通过产生适度的热作用以及皮肤表面的共振起作用。非传统的热材料和介质可能不是传统材料的合适替代品。这些数据为传统艾灸提供了科学的生物物理依据。
