Studies Moxa. (Part 5). A Winnowing-machine / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

ABSTRACT

The winnowing-machine is an apparatus for the final purification in the manufacture of high-grade moxa.<br>This winnower is a special apparatus for moxa manufacture and has a structure that differs from the structure of the winnowing-machine for agriculture. Its main part consists of a vaned wheel that rotates at a high rate, a large cylinderical bamboo wicker surrounding the vaned wheel, and a wooden box containing this.<br>When crude moxa is placed in this winnower, and the vane wheel is rotated at a rate of 70-120rpm, impurities are removed through the gaps of the winnower, leaving high-grade moxa inside.<br>In general, a two-step method is used in which powdery impurities are removed using the first winnowing-machine, and final purification is done using the second winnower.