Pharmaceutical Efficacy of Moxa (Artemisia asiatica)

Recently the study reported that a compound isolated from the tar of Artemisia asiatica, which is produced by burning moxa, was identical with authentic catechin (or called catechol) in infrared and proton NMR spectra. Catechin (1,2‐dihydroxybenzene) has been known as an antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory suppresive effects by the formation of TBA‐reactive substances in the human skin. In this study the water extract of moxa was characterized which was obtained by steamed under a certain pressure cooker for 48 hours with several known anti‐inflammatory drugs (antiphlogistic agent) as well as catechin. Furthermore, successful clinical experiments with moxa of various diseases or symptoms such as bronchitis, ashmatic patients, and dermatitis have been carried out. Subsequent experiment has been undertaken simultaneously. The moxa was treated and prepared as oral, mugwort‐moxibustion pipe like cigarette (designated as SSook‐GunHyang Cho). Everyone has been reported that the feeling relaxes tense caused either by stress or by other psychogenic factors as well as healing effects to asthmatic patients. The anti‐inflammatory effect was found tobe caused by well known drugs for antiphlogistic agent, coumarin obtained from a plant of melilotus officinalis L. plus bromelain/bromelin (a protease obtained from the pineaple juice). Consequently, the reason of the wart cured by performing moxibustion on the focal lesion of a vulgar wart may be explained as benign tumor or letting a mixture of moxa‐burnt ash penetrate into it rests in the synergic action of catechin contained in moxa‐tar and minerals (about 5% of ash content of moxa) along with antiphlogistic agent.