[Theory study: warming-dredging and warming-reinforcing of moxibustion]

Through analysis of the basic mechanism and principle of moxibustion, it is found that the most basic characteristic of moxibustion on acupoints of human body rests with its warm stimulation. The multi-effect of the warm stimulation of moxibustion can be generalized into the following 2 aspects: 1) warming-dredging: to dredge meridians with warming through regulation of qi and blood circulation, and removing stagnation in meridians and collaterals. 2) warming-reinforcing: to reinforce with warming through strengthening of yang qi as well as tonifying yin through reinforcing of yang. The two effects are inter-depending and inter-acting on each other. The mechanism of warming-dredging and warming-reinforcing is different from that of the materia medica, and it has its own specific connotation.