ABSTRACT
Traditionally, the raw moxa material for moxibustion has been sourced from domestic production in Japan.However, imports of Chinese <i>Artemisia princeps Pamp </i>(<i>A. princeps Pamp</i>) have been increasing because of a decrease in domestic <i>A. princeps Pamp </i>for moxa products in recent years. There is a possibility that Japanese sourced moxibustion may become difficult to do because of a shortage of domestic production in the near future. Therefore 15 kinds of <i>A. princeps Pamp </i>were collected in Niigata Pref. known its source of <i>A. princeps Pamp</i>, and these were grown at the Center for Environment, Health and Field Sciences at Chiba Univ. to develop a domestic gardening cultivation system. This report is on investigative results with the first selection, with leaf area as an index.<br>As a result, when leaf area per1m of stalk length was calculated using the inter-joints length and the leaf area, the largest pieces averaged 3004.6 cm<sup>2</sup> and the smallest pieces were 1134.4 cm<sup>2</sup>. It is thought that the larger the leaf area per measured stalk length, the more the yield per measured area of the field, since the raw material of moxa is made from dried <i>A. princeps Pamp </i>leaves. Therefore, we believe excellent <i>A. princeps Pamp </i>for moxa has resulted from research.
ABSTRACT
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:<BR>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. <BR>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. <BR>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.