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Chen Yanzhi stated: Medical classics record that diseases should be treated internally with herbal decoctions and regulated externally with acupuncture and moxibustion. Acupuncture techniques must be learned from a master before practice. However, moxibustion can be performed by ordinary people directly.

Zhang Zhongjing discussed: For conditions where the pulse is large, moxibustion is not suitable.

For those intending to perform moxibustion, one must carefully examine the appropriate acupoints, clarify the names of the points to be moxaed, determine the number of moxa cones (zhuang), and produce diagrams for reference, adhering to standard measurements of cun.

Regarding the intensity of moxibustion, the moxa fire should be allowed to burn thoroughly, but one must observe the patient's constitution (excess or deficiency). If the fire is too intense, it will damage the healthy qi; if insufficient, it will fail to cure the disease. Therefore, regulation should follow the patient's condition of excess or deficiency.

Generally, for both men and women, the area above the waist is Yang, and the area below the waist is Yin. For men, the back is Yin and the abdomen is Yang; for women, the abdomen is Yin and the back is Yang.

The method of moxibustion should generally start from the upper body and then proceed to the lower body. Moxa on Yang areas first, then Yin areas, follows the principle of harmony.

When moxaing various Shu points, one must follow the classics. Deviating from the classics only causes pain without benefit. If the moxibustion leads to suppuration and ulceration, wind-cold pathogens are expelled; if no ulceration occurs, the disease remains.

If Kidney Qi is affected by wind-cold, causing symptoms resembling possession by evil spirits, repeated moxibustion until thorough penetration will expel the wind-cold, leading to spontaneous recovery.

The head is where the Spirit resides and essence gathers. Disease here causes Qi deficiency and scattering of essence. When moxaing the head, sufficient fire energy must be applied to the pathology to expel evil, after which the fire should be stopped. If sufficient heat is applied but continued, the Spirit may escape and fail to return, damaging clarity and depleting Ying and Wei Qi. If stopped prematurely due to insufficient heat, residual pathogens remain, prone to recurrence due to changes in Heaven and Earth's Yin-Yang.

The four limbs are the branches of the body. Their Qi connects to the Zang-Fu organs, circulating through blood vessels to nourish the limbs. The distribution is superficial and easily reached. Thus, when moxaing the head, if the spirit and Qi are weak, fire disperses cold. Since the muscles along the back and spine are thick, moxibustion should be thorough and abundant.

(Repeated text in source): All treatments must follow the classics; deviation only causes pain without benefit. Suppuration from moxibustion expels wind-cold; lack thereof leaves the disease intact. For Kidney Qi affected by wind-cold...

The *Tai Su Jing* states: From the proximal interphalangeal joint of the middle finger to its tip measures 4.5 cun. The annotation notes: From the end of the proximal joint to the tip of the middle finger is 4.5 cun. Current practitioners take...

Sun Simiao said: Acupoints on the body are sites where Zang-Fu, Ying-Wei, and blood vessels circulate, connecting interior and exterior. In emergencies, precise selection is required.

To locate hand acupoints...

One must also consider muscle fibers, joint gaps, and depressions. Pressing with the hand where the patient feels relief indicates the correct point. Only through careful and calm attention can these points be accurately found.

When texts mention "three intervals of one cun," it means three moxa applications separated by one cun. One cun contains three moxa applications, each measuring three fen. Three zhuang constitute one cun. Regarding quantity...

Some cases involve up to one hundred zhuang.

Straight...

Of...

Moxibustion should prioritize Yang over Yin, and upper over lower. Fire should be applied only after solar noon. Before noon, during dawn when Gu Qi is abundant, it may cause dizziness and mania; acupuncture is contraindicated...

Yang Xuancuo said: When a moxa sore suppurates and ulcerates, the disease exits; if it does not ulcerate, the disease persists. The *Jia Yi Jing, Volume Bing* states: For moxibustion that fails to produce sores, apply heat compresses...

Su Jing's *Treatise on Hong Jiao (Gout/Podagra)* states: After the moxa sore heals, if the skin is red, wind-toxin is exhausted; if blue-black, toxic vapors remain. Continue moxibustion without stopping until the body feels light and agile...

The *Bian Que Zhen Jiu Jing* states: Moxibustion-induced sores, if kept moist, may heal slowly. They may transform into fire abscesses. Take peach bark from the east side of the tree, at least one cun long, and boil...