User:Madalibi/History of moxibustion

Origins and early history

, Wushi'er Bingfang, all found in Mawangdui (see Mawangdui Silk Texts).

The origin of cauterization (the burning of the skin for therapeutic purpose) and moxibustion (cauterization with moxa) in China is unclear. Japanese historian Yamada Keiji suspects. The first textual evidence for therapeutic cauterization dates to about 200 BC, when the texts that were found in the Han tomb sealed in 168 BC were copied. A text titled Recipes for Fifty-Two Ailments and two Cauterization Canons – Yin Yang Shiyi Mai Jiujing and Zubi Shiyi Mai Jiujing – recommend cauterization for various illnesses. They do not mention moxa, so this is not moxibustion. These texts also do not mention acupuncture, which appeared later.

In late imperial China

According to a nineteenth-century Chinese saying, acupuncture and moxibustion were "absolutely inappropriate to all gentlemen".

Twentieth century

Cheng Dan'an, who modernized acupuncture points in the 1930s, As practiced at the time, moxibustion often resulted in burns and scars. Besides advocating the use of fine needles for acupuncture, Cheng Dan'an suggested that moxa not be allowed to burn the skin directly.

References

Works cited

• Andrews, Bridie (2014), The Making of Modern Chinese Medicine, 1850–1960, Vancouver: UBC Press, ISBN 978-0-7748-2432-3.

Further reading

• Goldschmidt, Asaf (2009), The Evolution of Chinese Medicine: Song Dynasty, 960–1200, London and New York: Routledge, ISBN 978-0-415-42655-8.
• Harper, Donald (1998), Early Chinese Medical Literature: The Mawangdui Medical Manuscripts, London and New York: Kegan Paul International, ISBN 978-0-7103-0582-4.
• Liao, Yuqun 廖育群 (2012) [1991], "Qin Han zhi ji zhenjiu liaofa lilun de jianli" 秦漢之際鍼灸療法理論的建立", in Liao Yuqun (ed.), Chonggou Qin–Han yixue tuxiang 重构亲秦汉医学图图像, pp. 311–21. Originally published in Ziran kexue yanjiu 自然科學研究 [Research in the natural sciences], 10 (1991), pp. 272–79. {{citation}}: Unknown parameter |author-name-separator= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |trans_chapter= ignored (|trans-chapter= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: postscript (link)
• Lo, Vivienne (2001). "The Influence of Nurturing Life Culture on the Development of Western Han Acumoxa Therapy". In Elisabeth Hsü (ed.) (ed.). Innovation in Chinese Medicine. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. pp. 19–50. {{cite book}}: |editor= has generic name (help).
• ——— (2013). "The Han Period". Chinese Medicine and Healing: An Illustrated History. Cambridge, MA: The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press. pp. 31–64. ISBN 978-0-674-04737-2. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |editors= ignored (|editor= suggested) (help).
• Lu, Gwei-djen; Needham, Joseph (1980), Celestial Lancets: A History and Rationale of Acupuncture and Moxa, New York and London: Routledge, ISBN 978-0-700-71458-2.
• Unschuld, Paul U. (1985), Medicine in China: A History of Ideas, Berkeley: University of California Press, ISBN 978-0-520-05023-5.
• Yamada, Keiji 山田慶児 (1985). "Shinkyū to tōeki no kigen 鍼灸と湯液の起源". In Yamada Keiji (ed.) (ed.). Shin hatsugen Chūgoku kagakushi shiryō no kenkyū 新発現中国科学史資料の研究. Volume 2. Kyoto: Kyōto daigaku jinbun kagaku kenkyūjo 京都大学人文科学研究所. pp. 3–122. {{cite book}}: |editor= has generic name (help); Unknown parameter |trans_chapter= ignored (|trans-chapter= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help).
• Yu, Gengzhe (2007), "The progression of moxibustion therapy in Tang and Song Dynasty folk medicine: An analysis on the background of technology choice", Frontiers of History in China, 2 (3).