In the moxa stick market, "aged moxa" is often regarded as a symbol of high quality, but some merchants also promote fresh moxa sticks as "nutritious". This makes many consumers confused: what is the difference between aged moxa sticks and fresh moxa sticks? Which one is more suitable for yourself? Today, we will take a deep dive into this issue and clarify the core differences between the two.
The most fundamental difference between aged moxa sticks and fresh moxa sticks lies in the medicinal component content. Fresh mugwort just picked contains a lot of volatile oil (such as cineole, α-pinene) and crude fiber. These components make fresh moxa sticks have a strong smell, and the heat is violent when burned. Although volatile oil has a certain medicinal effect, its high content will cause strong irritation to the skin and respiratory tract. After years of storage, the volatile oil in aged mugwort will gradually volatilize, and the crude fiber will be decomposed, while the effective components such as artemisinin and flavonoids will be relatively concentrated. Therefore, aged moxa sticks made of aged mugwort have milder properties and stronger medicinal effects, which can penetrate the meridians better without causing irritation.
The burning performance of the two is also very different, which directly affects the moxibustion experience. Fresh moxa sticks burn fast, with obvious sparks splashing, and the heat is uneven—sometimes it is very hot, and sometimes the heat is insufficient. The smoke is thick and pungent, which can easily make people's eyes and nose uncomfortable, and even cause coughing and sneezing. Aged moxa sticks have a stable burning speed, no obvious sparks, and the heat is gentle and lasting. The smoke is light and has a natural mugwort fragrance, which is more acceptable. This is because the impurities in aged mugwort are reduced, and the texture of moxa is more uniform, so the combustion is more complete.
In terms of health effects, the two also show obvious differences. Fresh moxa sticks have violent heat, which is like "a violent fire". It is difficult to control the intensity when used for moxibustion, and it is easy to cause local skin burns or "get angry" symptoms such as dry mouth and sore throat. Its effect is more "superficial" and difficult to penetrate into the deep meridians, so it is only suitable for occasional use in specific situations, such as emergency cold dispelling. Aged moxa sticks are like "a gentle fire", the heat can slowly penetrate into the body, regulate the balance of yin and yang, and play a role in nourishing yang, dispelling cold, and activating blood circulation. Long-term use of aged moxa sticks can enhance the body's resistance without side effects, and is suitable for daily health care, chronic disease conditioning and other scenarios.
The applicable groups of the two are also different. Fresh moxa sticks have strong irritation, so they are not suitable for people with sensitive skin, the elderly, children and pregnant women. Even for healthy young people, the use time should be strictly controlled, and it is not suitable for frequent use. Aged moxa sticks have mild properties and high safety, and are suitable for most people, including the elderly and children. For women with cold uterus and people with sub-health conditions, long-term use of aged moxa sticks can achieve better health effects.
When buying moxa sticks, how to avoid buying fresh moxa sticks pretending to be aged moxa sticks? First, look at the color: aged moxa sticks are grayish-yellow, while fresh moxa sticks are bright green or dark green. Second, smell the smell: aged moxa sticks have a faint fragrance, while fresh moxa sticks have a strong pungent smell. Third, ask about the storage time: regular merchants will clearly inform the storage time of mugwort, and products with a storage time of less than 3 years are not considered genuine aged moxa sticks.
In short, aged moxa sticks have obvious advantages over fresh moxa sticks in terms of medicinal effects, safety and comfort. When choosing moxa sticks, you should give priority to aged moxa sticks with a storage period of more than 3 years. Do not be confused by the "fresh" gimmick of merchants, and choose products that are really suitable for your health needs.
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