1. Observe the color and shape
Color: High quality mugwort sticks should have a light yellow or grayish yellow color, dense mugwort flowers, and a strong aroma. If the color of the mugwort is yellowish or brownish yellow, with fewer mugwort flowers and a weak aroma, it may be of poor quality.
Form: Good mugwort sticks are usually sturdy and not easily loose, with fine and impurity free mugwort fibers. You can try taking out an appropriate amount of mugwort and rubbing it into a certain shape. If it can be easily molded, it indicates that the quality of the mugwort is good.
2. Smell the scent
Aroma: Good mugwort should have a strong herbal aroma, no impurities or odors, mild and long-lasting, and not pungent. When burning, it will not produce thick smoke, making people feel comfortable and relaxed.
3. Combustion test
Burning state: A good moxa stick burns with gentle firepower and a red interior, without producing thick smoke. The burnt mugwort ash should be delicate and not easily dispersed.
Moxibustion sensation experience: During the moxibustion process, a good moxibustion strip should be able to adjust the temperature and temperature distribution appropriately, making the moxibustion sensation comfortable without causing harm to the skin. The moxibustion sensation should be comfortable, warm, and gentle.
4. Density and specifications
Density: The density of moxibustion strips is one of the important factors to be aware of during the production process, which affects their moxibustion effect, duration, and service life. The moxibustion strip with appropriate density of mugwort is evenly filled, with moderate compression, stable use, and long-lasting moxibustion effect.
Specification: The size of the moxa stick is also an indicator of the quality of the moxa stick. The internal filling should be balanced, the quality of mugwort should be good, there should be no impurities or foreign objects, and the density of mugwort should be moderate.
5. Empirical identification method
Moxibustion sensation penetration: There is a relatively simple empirical identification method, which is to hold moxa sticks and suspend moxibustion at specific acupoints (such as Hegu acupoint or Shenmen acupoint). If the heat can be felt to penetrate the corresponding acupoints in the elbow (such as Zuoliao acupoint or Shaohai acupoint) within 6-7 minutes, it indicates that the quality of moxa sticks is good. If there is no moxibustion sensation, it may be a fake moxa stick.