Studies of Moxa. (I) / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

ABSTRACT

“Moxa” has not been studied sufficiently. Something seems to remain still unknown in its history, its process, and its raw material. The purpose of this study is to clarify these points.<br>Method<br>The author visited the major producing districts of moxa to investigate the process of preparation, and examined the raw material “Yomogi” botanically.<br>The latest process of making moxa is outlined as follows gathering Yomogi→drying→pulverizing with a rotating stone mill→premoving impurities through sieves→refining with an equipment called “tômi”.<br>A botanical study In Niigata-, Toyama-, and Ishikawa-prefecture, the raw materials were identified mostly as common Yomogi (Artemisia princeps Pamp.), and partly as Ooyomogi (=Yamayomogi, A. montana Pamp.). All the materials used in Shiga-prefecture was supposed to be Yomogi (A. princeps Pamp.).