Based On The Moxibustion Moxibustion Quantity Study Of Ancient Literature

This study aims to compile and summarize the theories of moxibustion quantity in ancient literature by using the method of literature research.Firstly, a search for the views of ancient physicians regarding "moxibustion quantity" over the development history of moxibustion was performed and analyzed. Based on the literature found, the theoretical system about moxibustion quantity for treatment was summarized.The general principle was that smaller moxibustion quantity should be used for patients from the southern parts of China, in hot summer, and for old people, children and weak patients. They could also be used on the head, face and four limbs. The indications for small moxibustion quantity were externally-contracted or newly-contracted disorders. Larger moxibustion quantity should be used for patients from the northern parts of China, in cold winter, and for patients with strong constitutions, and could be used on the chest, back and the abdomen. The indications for larger moxibustion quantity were serious or long-term disorders. The number of moxibustion cones used depended on the development of disease that is determined by comprehensive consideration of the disorder and not simply based on one principle.The ancient physicians would judge the adequacy of the moxibustion quantity based on the patients’reactions. This included mainly the following three situations:1. therapeutic effects, such as recovery, relief of emergency conditions or change in sensations;2. formation of moxibustion sores;3. occurrence of moxibustion sensation. Excessive moxibustion was avoided to prevent adverse reactions from happening.Secondly, moxibustion therapies and formulae from medical books and moxibustion monographs were searched and organized. The clinical application of moxibustion based on "moxibustion quantity" was then summarized.1. Moxibustion quantity for common diseasesLarge quantity and strong stimulation are mainly for more serious symptoms caused by weakness of the viscera, deficiency of yang qi, deep pathogenic toxins and blockage by phlegm dampness or blood stasis. This includes disorders such as thoracic obstruction, goiter, concretions and gatherings, abdominal retention, edema, consumptive disease, stroke, renal mass disease, carbuncle, dysentery, diabetes, regurgitation and epistaxis.The diseases suitable for moderate moxibustion quantity include those caused by viscera disorder such as diarrhea, constipation, stomachache, abdominal pain, cough and hematemesis; illness caused by blockages of phlegm dampness or blood stasis such as depressive and manic psychosis, epilepsy, stranguria and nightmare; or those caused by exogenous pathogens or deep diseases such as malaria and cholera.Small quantity of moxibustion for diseases is as follows:superficial syndrome, hypopathia or those belonging to the heat pattern. The moxibustion site is on the head or limbs and extremities. This includes disorders such as toothache, sore eyes, headache, nasal congestion, fetal malposition, spasm, tinea, rash, warts, hiccup, lumbago and scrofula.2. Moxibustion for childrenChildren have delicate organs that are not strong, thus tolerance is weak. They are sensitive to many kinds of treatment, thus doctors use smaller moxibustion quantity in terms of size and number of moxa cones when treating pediatric diseases in the past.3. Moxibustion for health preservationThe biggest characteristic of moxibustion for health preservation is the low frequency usage of moxibustion. The commonly used points are RN8(shen que). RN4(guan yuan), RN6(qi hai), BL43(gao huang), ST36(zu san li) and the clan tian region. The points on the back and abdominal should be applied with greater moxibustion quantity and most of them are required to develop moxibustion sores. The principle for the number of acupoint selection is that fewer acupoints should be chosen for health preservation, usually only one point is selected; for preventing disease, several points that are related to the disease are selected. In terms of moxibustion time, there is no fixed time in the treatment for health preservation, it could be at the change of the four seasons or weather. For preventing disease, pre-moxibustion should be done before the onset of disease or when there are initial signs and symptoms of the disease.4. Indirect moxibustionThere are many forms of indirect moxibustion but the therapeutic range is relatively limited. It is usually indicated for ulcer, scrofula, insect venom or sores caused by snakes or dogs bites and anal fistula. The moxa cone used in indirect moxibustion is bigger than that in direct moxibustion. It could be as big as the seed of a Chinese parasol tree or small as the size of the little finger. The moxibustion quantity of indirect moxibustion is generally large, but moxibustion volume is little per day, the course of treatment is long.5. Moxa stick moxibustionThe ancient moxa stick moxibustion belongs to the "pressing moxibustion" category. It is mainly used in the treatment of cold symptoms. The layers of insulating paper should be of a certain thickness to prevent burns and the number of times of pressing should be adequate to ensure thermal penetration.