Experimental Study on the Characteristics of Combustion in Indirect Moxibustion with Garlic

마늘뜸의 연소특성에 관한 연구

Objective: The propose of this study is to investigate the characteristics of combustion in indirect moxibustion with garlic. Methods: We observed the characteristics of combustion by the variations of the thickness(3mm, 4mm, 5mm) of a slice for indirect moxibustion with garlic and mass(80mg, 100mg, 120mg) of moxa cone and existence of holes. The temperature of indirect moxibustion for garlic insulation with holes was higher than temperature of indirect moxibustion for garlic insulation without holes. Combustions time in the preheating period is about 1 minute, it varies by the existence of holes, the thickness of a slice for indirect moxibustion with garlic, and the density of moxa cone. Results: Maximum temperature of heating period was $38.7{\sim}46.2^{\circ}C$, combustion time in the heating period was 118~164sec and maximum ascending temperature gradient was $0.102{\sim}0.264^{\circ}C/sec$. Retaining period was shorter than heating period and stimulus of heating retains more, because it is higher than body temperature. By this report, indirect moxibustion with garlic is more effective with holes and the appropriate thickness of a slice for indirect moxibustion with garlic is 3.5~4mm. It is appropriate that the diameter of moxa cone is 8mm and height of that is 10mm. With this condition, effective combustion period is 120sec, maximum temperature is $42{\sim}44^{\circ}C$, maximum ascending temperature gradient is $0.14{\sim}0.16^{\circ}C/sec$. It is necessary to study clinical correlations for more accurate quantitative standard.