ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT OF ANCIENT MOXIBUSTION

Wang Xuetai

(Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing)

This paper makes a wide research on the ancient Chinese moxibustion by directly quoting 95 kinds of ancient books consisting of 500 literature articles.

1. Origin of moxibustion: This paper points out that moxibustion was originated from the primitive society in China and became very popular during 6-3 century B.C. and was developed subsequently with the appearance of special acupuncturists. Since 17 century, the position of moxibustion had come down gradually.

2. Various moxibustion materials: This paper approaches moxa moxibustion (Folium Artemisia), moxibustion with herbs, sulfur moxibustion, rush moxibustion (Medulla Junci), moxibustion with mulberry branches (Ramulus Mori), peach branches (Ramulus Persicae), Caulis Bambusae in Taeniam, Folium Cannabis, wax, mouse stool, lozenge, and with a medical paper, etc.

3. Widely-used moxibustion with moxa cones: This paper proves that the conical moxa cones are mostly used for moxibustion. The smallest is like a millet (Setaria italica), while the largest is like an egg. Some horn-shaped moxa cones and spindle-like moxa cones are also applied.

4. Varied indirect moxibustion methods: This paper inquires into 37 kinds of indirect moxibustion methods, including indirect moxibustion with ginger, garlic, shallots (Bulbus Allii Macrostemi), chives (Allium tuberosum), scallion (Allium fistulosum), croton (Fructus Crotonis), Radix Euphorbiae Kansui, Lagenaria Siceraria, Semen SoJae Praeparatum cake, Radix Aconili praeparata, Semen LepidiS seu Descuraimiae cake. Radix phytolaccae cake, Radix Hyoscyami, Cortex Persicae cake, Rhizoma Cyperi cake, Radix Aucklandiae, Folium persicae, Ipomoea hyngaiensis, Rhizoma Atractylodis, Semen Arecae, pepper (Pericarpium Zanthoxyli), Fructus Gleditsiae sinensis, Rhizoma Typhonii, Vitriol, toad, egg, scalp calculus, insect, soya sauce, flour cake, earth. Faeces Lumbricus and paper, and bowl moxibustion, walnut moxibustion and warming umbilicus method etc.

5. Popular burning methods in ancient times: This paper places stress on the investigation of the three points, i.e. scaring method after burning; pain relieving method adopted in order to prevent burning pain; including general anaesthesia and local anesthesia, etc., and contraindications for burning moxibustion.

6. Moxibustion with moxa sticks vince Ming and Qing Dynasties: This paper proves that the earliest moxibustion with moxa sticks were seen in "Shou Yu Shen Fang" (Miraculous Prescriptions for longevity) in the 15 century and then developed into moxibustion with herbs. Different prescriptions were applied with herbs according to differentiation, including Lei's fire needle, Taiyi needle, three Qi Combining Bi needle, one-hundred hitting miraculous needle, Bi-treating fire needle and Yin-syndrome toxin removing needle, etc.

7. Tonic moxibustion: This paper proves that the ancient tonic moxibustion was used to prevent diseases, known as routine moxibustion, and to keep fit, including moxibustion at Shenque, Qihai, Guanyuan, Zusanli and Gaohuang, etc.

8. Crude herb moxibustion, hydro-moxibustion and internal moxibustion: Application of Cinnabar, ink or irritant herb at points is called crude herb moxibustion, which is first seen in "Jfing Chu Sui Shi Ji", application of garlic juice at the back was known as hydro-moxibustion, which was first seen in "Li Yue Pian Wen" (a Rhymed Discourse on New Therapeutics); and swallow of a crude garlic with its both sides being cut was named internal moxibustion, which was first seen in "Ben Cao Shi Yi", (a supplement to herbs) written by Chen Cangqi.

9. Moxibustion apparatus mentioned in the literature: Since Western Jin Dynasty, some other materials had been first applied instead of moxibustion apparatus, and subsequently special moxibustion apparatus had been invented. Some apparatus investigated in this paper include earthen utensil, reed tube, copper cash, clay cash, moxibustion plate, bowl and small cup, etc.