Infrared spectrums and temporal curve of indirect moxibustion with common monkshood cake

Infrared radiation spectrums of traditional indirect moxibustion with common monkshood cake at different moxa burning time were analyzed by mathematical analysis with normalization method for summarizing common characteristics of the burning moxa of traditional indirect moxibustion at different time. It was also compared with the spectrums of indirect moxibustion with skullcap root cake. The results show that though great changes happen for the intensities of infrared radiation of the traditional indirect moxibustion with common monkshood cake at different time, the infrared radiation spectrums of burning moxa on the common monkshood cake from 6 to 21 min are quite similar after adopting normalization method and deducting the effect of temperature. The intensities of infrared radiation of the indirect moxibustion with skullcap root cake are significantly higher than that of the traditional indirect moxibustion with common monkshood cake when moxa is burned from 9 to 24 min (p < 0.05-0.001). The infrared radiation spectrums of the indirect moxibustion with skullcap root cake at 18 min moxa burning time are greatly different from that of the common monkshood cake at 12 min of moxa burning time, and the peak value of the former indirect moxibustion is 4.70 V but the latter indirect moxibustion is 2.46 V, and the radiation peak of indirect moxibustion with skullcap root cake shift to left (blue shift) is 0.75 μm. It suggests that the indirect moxibustion with skullcap root cake does not suit the clinical practice and can't substitute for the traditional indirect moxibustion with common monkshood cake.