title: [Study on moxa sticks burning temperature-time-space curves].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the burning characteristics of moxa stick.
  
  
  METHODS
  A self-designed moxa stick burning temperature measuring device, which was assembled with ALTEC intelligence digital setter and SJ-600 thermocouple, was used to conduct next four experiences: 1) embedding a thermocouple inside a moxa stick to measure peak burning temperature; 2) pulling a thermocouple embedded in the moxa stick at the proper rate to detect combustion stability; 3) elucidating temperature distribution of transverse section by measuring the temperature in the center, radius midpoint and lateral; 4) drawing temperature-time-space curves by pulling the thermocouples in the former three observation points.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The experiment indicated that the burning temperature peak of three-year moxa stick (Hubei Herbal Medicine St. Qichun Technology Co., Ltd.) was 848 degrees C which had good combustion stability. Furthermore, the temperature in the center, radius midpoint and lateral of transverse section were 843 degrees C, 731 degrees C and 410 degrees C, respectively, and its burning temperature-time-space curves was drawn, which showed the real-time burning temperature and the peak burning temperature and were regarded as ultimate indice to integrate the formers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The measuring system elaborately reflecting the burning features of moxa stick may provide reference for manufacture industry of moxa stick quality criteria for its convenience and accuracy.
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan 430074, China. woteyh@126.com
authors.forename: Zong-Guo
authors.initials: ZG
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lü
authors.forename: Hai-Sheng
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Yu-Hong
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.forename: Huan-Gan
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D009071:Moxibustion / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors