Organic Components of Moxa

Moxa was soaked in a mixed solvent of chloroform, menthanol and water (5:5:1) at room temperature for 7 days, and the supernatant solution was seperated into two layers by the addition of water. Heptatriacontane (C₃₇H₇₆), confirmed by measurements of ¹H and ¹³C-NMR spectra and melting point, was obtained from the chloroform layer, while condensed tannins having catechol derivatives were found in the methanol-water layer. Each ratio of C₃₇H₇₆ in several kinds of moxas to the total weight of the moxa was similiar in both high-class and low-class moxas, but that of the tannins was much less in the former than the latter. Comparing the burning-temperature from 25°C to the highest temperature was longer in the treated moxa. Removal of C₃₇H₇₆ from the original moxa seems to decelerate the burning of moxa.