在中医针灸学现代化和国际化进程中，灸法的应用日益受到关注。灸法作用机理研究已成为针灸医学研究领域亟待解决的关键科学问题。该文在总结前期灸法研究成果的基础上，对灸法下一步深入研究进行了思考和展望，认为亟需开展多学科交叉研究，阐明灸法的内源性调节机制，揭示艾灸得气、灸温、灸材等因素的作用特点、规律和机制，明确艾灸热、光、烟与灸效的关系，并确证艾灸与针刺作用的异同，以推动灸法研究新一轮的发展和创新；并展望灸法在“治未病”及防治疾病中的作用与贡献。

In the process of modernization and globalization of acupuncture and moxibustion in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),the application and efficacy of moxibustion attracts more attention.According to previous researches and the theory of acupuncture and moxibustion,thinking and outlook of moxibustion were summarized.In this study,it was emphasized that further interdisciplinary researches are required for elucidating endogenous regulation mechanisms of moxibustion;and for revealing the effective characteristics,disciplines and mechanisms of three key factors--arrival of qi,moxibustion temperature and moxibustion materials;and confirming relations between clinical curative effects and heat,light and smoke of moxibustion,and similarities and differences between the effects of moxibustion and acupuncture.These findings will deeply promote the development and innovation of moxibustion researches,and even preventive treatment of diseases in TCM.

科学技术部国家重点基础研究发展计划“973计划”项目（2009CB522900）：灸法作用的基本原理与应用规律研究，负责人：吴焕淦；科学技术部国家重点基础研究发展计划“973计划”项目（2015CB554501）：艾灸效应的启动机制及其内源性调节作用的机理研究，负责人：吴焕淦；国家自然科学基金委青年基金项目（81303033）：基于代谢组学技术研究合募配穴艾灸治疗溃疡性结肠炎的效应机制，负责人：吴璐一；上海市中医药研究院重点学科资助项目（S30304-A3）：艾灸烟气安全性的流行病学调查研究，负责人：吴焕淦。