ABSTRACT
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.<br>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.<br>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.<br>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.