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Passage:
When selecting acupoints, the body must maintain an upright posture whether sitting, lying down, standing, or erect. The moxa cones should be made from mugwort produced in Qichun (Qiai), and ignition using a fire lens is considered optimal. In ancient times, it was taboo to use fire from eight types of wood for moxibustion; nowadays, lighting a single incense stick is the common practice for ignition.

Note: [1] For all moxibustion procedures, if the acupoint is located while sitting, the patient should remain seated during treatment; if located while lying down, they should lie down; if located while standing, they should stand.
[2] The limbs and trunk must be kept straight and level, avoiding any tilting or leaning, as deviation will result in inaccurate acupoint placement.
[3] The mugwort used for the cones must be Qiai (Mugwort from Qi Prefecture). It should be dried, pounded in a mortar to remove dust and impurities, and formed into firm cones. Place the cone on the acupoint and secure it with onion juice.
[4] In antiquity, fire was obtained by reflecting sunlight through a crystal lens to ignite the moxa, and it was forbidden to use fire from pine, cypress, zanthoxylum, orange, elm, jujube, mulberry, and bamboo. Currently, burning incense sticks to ignite the moxa is the standard and convenient method.

Passage:
Moxibustion provides warmth and is best performed at noon when Yang energy is abundant. One must distinguish the sequence between upper and lower parts, and between Yin and Yang meridians. Moxibustion is contraindicated if the pulse is rapid or if there is heat, or if the patient has recently recovered and suffers from Qi deficiency. Moxibustion of Zusanli (ST36) is recommended only for those over thirty years of age.

Note: [1] Generally, moxibustion aims to warm the meridians and is suitable for the Wu hour (noon) when Yang Qi is at its peak, facilitating the flow of fire energy. A specific order must be observed: if treating both upper and lower meridians, treat the upper first, then the lower; if treating both Yin and Yang meridians, treat the Yang first, then the Yin.
[2] If the pulse is rapid accompanied by heat, or if the patient is newly recovered with deficient Qi, moxibustion is not advisable as it may damage Qi and Blood.
[3] However, for patients requiring moxibustion on Zusanli (ST36), it is permitted only for individuals aged thirty or above, to prevent potential damage to vision due to vigorous Qi and Blood in youth.
[4] Therefore, whenever moxibustion is applied to the head, it should be combined with Zusanli (ST36), as this point helps to guide the fire energy downward.

Passage:
The skin on the skull and extremities is thin and lean, making them unsuitable for heavy moxibustion. The Jueque (CV14) and Jiutui (CV15) acupoints, along with the Shaofu region, should receive little moxibustion. Conversely, the back, abdomen, and area below the navel have thick flesh and fat, allowing for larger cones and more moxibustion units (Zhuang), which is necessary to cure chronic diseases.

Note: [1] For all moxibustion treatments, sufficient heat and arrival of Qi at the affected area are required to achieve recovery.
[2] However, since the skin and flesh on the head and four limbs are shallow and thin, simultaneous moxibustion may overwhelm the muscles, bones, Qi, and Blood. Treatment should be spaced out over different days or every other day, using smaller cones and fewer Zhuang (units of moxibustion).
[3] If Jueque (CV14) and Jiutui (CV15) must be treated for various ailments, the dose must not exceed three Zhuang, with cones sized like wheat grains, to avoid damaging the Heart with excessive fire energy.
[4] The back and abdomen have deep and thick flesh; therefore, larger cones and more Zhuang are appropriate to ensure the fire energy penetrates deeply enough to eliminate chronic cold conditions.