Moxibustion in Early Chinese Medicine and Its Relation to the Origin of Meridians: A Study on the Unearthed Literatures

Abstract

Moxibustion is an integral part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It achieved higher level of recognition and had more general application in ancient times than in contemporary life. As the vital historical sources, the records of unearthed literatures offered precious insights to Chinese social life pattern and medical practice in Qin and Han dynasties (221 BC–220 AD). There was no surprise that the bamboo and silk documents excavated from Mawangdui (马王堆) tomb, Hantanpo (旱滩坡) tomb, and other relics had a large amount of texts relevant to moxibustion. This research sorted moxibustion recordings from seven unearthed literatures and discovered that moxibustion had been developed into different modalities and utilized to treat many diseases at that time. In addition, the indications, contraindications of moxibustion, and the method of postmoxibustion care were also discussed. On this basis, some hints were provided to support the hypothesis that the practice of moxibustion led to the discovery of meridians. All our preliminary results in the research have drawn attention for this old therapy and given a new source for its application in clinic and scientific research.

Exploring the Relationship between Blood Flux Signals and HRV following Different Thermal Stimulations using Complexity Analysis

“…Moxibustion is among the most important means of acupuncture treatment and has a long history and extensive application 28 . Although the mechanism of moxibustion is divided into temperature-related action and non-temperature-related action 1 , it is generally believed that the temperature-related action plays essential roles.…”

Effect of Moxibustion on Hyperhomocysteinemia and Oxidative Stress Induced by High‐Methionine Diet

“…Moxibustion therapy has lasted for thousands of years. Moxa velvet or other herbs is ignited, which directly or indirectly stimulates acupoints or specific parts of the body surface through burning, fumigation, and ironing, and with the help of the mild heat produced by burning moxibustion materials and the medicinal effect of moxa smoke occurs transmission of meridian acupoints, warming and ventilating blood circulation, activating collaterals, and removing arthralgia, so as to achieve disease prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and health care [14][15][16][17]. It is a traditional method of external treatment for the purpose of health care.…”

Moxibustion for Cephalic Version of Breech Presentation

“…TCM is a system of medicine that dates back more than 2000 years. Acupuncture is the best‐known TCM therapy practiced in the West, but records indicate moxibustion was practiced even before the advent of acupuncture . A 2013 Chinese review examined more than 50 years of published data on the use of moxibustion in China.…”

“…The earliest evidence of moxibustion use in China dates back to the Shang Dynasty (1600‐1046 bc ). Archeological digs have unearthed moxibustion prescriptions carved into oracle bones . Excavations dating back to the Qin (221‐206 bc ) and Han Dynasties (202 bc to 220 ad ) found medical treatises written on bamboo slips and silk books on the use of moxibustion for the treatment of a multiplicity of disease conditions .…”

“…Archeological digs have unearthed moxibustion prescriptions carved into oracle bones . Excavations dating back to the Qin (221‐206 bc ) and Han Dynasties (202 bc to 220 ad ) found medical treatises written on bamboo slips and silk books on the use of moxibustion for the treatment of a multiplicity of disease conditions . A 1624 Ming Dynasty Chinese medical text mentioned the use of moxa on the tip of the little toe (not a modern day acupuncture point) to facilitate cephalic version of breech presentation…”