Effects of Moxa (Artemisia Vulgaris) Smoke Inhalation on Heart Rate and Its Variability

Baixiao Zhao, Gerhard Litscher, Jun Li, Lu Wang, Yingxue Cui, Chaxi Huang, Ping Liu

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DOI: 10.4236/cm.2011.22010                

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the changes of human heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) during and after moxa smoke inhalation and to investigate the effects of moxa smoke on human autonomic nervous system. Methods: 24 healthy volunteers were exposed to moxa smoke with their HRV parameters measured before, during and after the moxa smoke inhalation. Results: The healthy volunteers exposed to moxa smoke had significant reductions in HR and also significant changes in HRV parameters. Conclusions: Moxa smoke can improve the autonomic nervous system activity. The inhalation of moxa smoke will induce a depressant effect on human body.

Keywords

Moxibustion, Moxa Smoke, Artemisia Vulgaris, Heart rate (HR), Heart rate Variability (HRV), Traditional Chinese Medicine

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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