moxa

Mox"a, n. Etym: [A corruption of Japan. mogusa (pronounced mongsa), an escharotic made from the plant yomigi: cf. F. moxa.] 1. (Med.) Defn: A soft woolly mass prepared from the young leaves of Artemisia Chinensis, and used as a cautery by burning it on the skin; hence, any substance used in a like manner, as cotton impregnated with niter, amadou. 2. (Bot.) Defn: A plant from which this substance is obtained, esp. Artemisia Chinensis, and A. moxa.

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