Comparative study of Aretemisia princeps Pamp. grown in Japan and China

Microstructure and elemental composition of dried Artemisa princeps Pamp. (Yomogi) leaves produced in Japan and China were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray microanalysis. Trichomes and T-foem hairs were found in higher density on the reverse side of the leaf of Yomogi. Cilium hairs were observed in Japanese Yomogi, while those in Chinese Yomogi, were distributed. Concentrations of K, Ca, Si and Cl were determined in plant fibers of the trichome in both Yomogi. In the head-style hairs of Japanese Yomogi, K, Ca, and Cl, S, P, Si were found, while K, Ca, Si, S, Mg and Fe were observed in the Chinese Yomogi. These results suggest that there were differences in morphological and elemental composition between Japanese and Chinese dried Yomogi leaves. These differences will affect the moxa quality even after the purifying process.