ABSTRACT
Concept is the cornerstone of theory. Regarding the solely and historically extraordinary outstanding traditional acupuncture-moxibustion, the conceptual history research of it is the basis of understanding and recognizing acupuncture-moxibustion theory and also the root of its inheritance and development. Because of its features, it is determined that the research of the concept of traditional acupuncture-moxibustion should focus on the formation era of acupuncture-moxibustion theory, by giving the priority to its basic and core concepts. In methodology, by exploring the formation, connotation evolution and application of acupuncture-moxibustion concept, the implication is expounded so as to explain the relevant theories and deal with the issues on the theoretic construction. Such research idea differs from the target of "conceptual history" study in the West, but shares the same specific approaches. Concerning the development of acupuncture-moxibustion theoretic system, from the ancient to the modern time, as well as undergoing scientific construction, the basic significance and fundamental influence of the research of the conceptual history of acupuncture-moxibustion is growing increasingly.