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Huangdi said: If the base diameter of the moxa cone is less than three fen during moxibustion, it is a futile suffering for the patient; therefore, the moxa cones must be made large. For those with weak constitutions, the cones should be made smaller. It is also stated that for infants older than seven days but under one year old, the moxa cones should be as small as sparrow droppings.

The *Mingtang Xiajing* (Lower Classic of the Bright Hall) records: In all cases of moxibustion, the base width of the moxa cone should reach three fen. If it does not reach three fen, the fire qi will not penetrate to the disease site, and the illness cannot be cured. Thus, moxa cones should generally be made large, except for those on the head and limbs, which should be small. The *Mingtang Shangjing* (Upper Classic of the Bright Hall), however, states: The size of the moxa cone should be based on the head of a thin chopstick. For conditions where the pulse is fine and thread-like, one need only apply moxibustion directly onto the meridian. Even moxa cones as small as sparrow droppings can cure diseases. There is another category of conditions, such as abdominal distension, hernia, accumulations (*Ji Ju*), and *Fuliang* Qi (a type of abdominal mass), which require large moxa cones. Therefore, the *Duanju* (Short Treatise) says: The abdomen and back can be burned until the skin ulcerates, while the limbs only need wind expelled; this situation greatly suits the use of large moxa cones. For example, at Jueque (CV14) and Jiutui (CV15), moxibustion should not exceed 28 sessions (4 times 7). The moxa cone should be the size of a bamboo chopstick head, applied precisely on the meridian. If the moxa cone is too large and the number of sessions is excessive, the person will permanently lose heart energy and spirit. Excessive moxibustion on the head causes loss of spirit; excessive moxibustion on the back and feet causes exhaustion of blood vessels, resulting in thin and powerless limbs. This leads to both loss of spirit and the addition of minor symptoms, shortening lifespan. Wang Jiezhai said: Moxa cones on the face must be small, while those on the hands and feet can be slightly thicker.

The *Mingtang Xiajing* states: Since ancient times, when treating diseases with moxibustion, one must avoid the fire from eight types of wood: pine, cypress, zanthoxylum, citrus, elm, jujube, mulberry, and bamboo. One must strictly avoid these. Using a crystal lens to focus sunlight to ignite moxa is the best method. Secondly, using a bronze mirror to focus sunlight to ignite moxa is also good; both are considered auspicious fires. Various foreign tribes strike bing iron against stone to create sparks and ignite moxa. In emergencies when these are unavailable, it is better not to perform moxibustion. Without wood fire, one can light a lamp with pure hemp oil, burn the moxa stem on the wick, and use it for point moxibustion; this also moistens the moxibustion sore, ensuring healing without pain. Using a candle is even better.

The *Qianjin Fang* (Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold) states: Regarding the number of "zhuang" (sessions/cones), if the patient is robust and the disease root is deep and severe, the number can be double that prescribed in standard formulas. For the elderly, children, and the emaciated/weak, the number should be halved. Bian Que’s moxibustion methods included up to 300–500 or even 1,000 zhuang, which is excessive. Cao’s moxibustion methods included 100 or 50 zhuang. The prescriptions in the *Duanju* are similar. Only the *Mingtang Benjing* states: Insert needle six fen deep, apply 3 zhuang of moxibustion, with no other treatments mentioned. Therefore, later generations had no fixed standard, adjusting the number of zhuang according to the severity of the disease. For moxibustion on the head and neck, limit to 7 zhuang, accumulating up to 49 zhuang (7 times 7). The *Tongren* (Bronze Man) text treats wind diseases by applying moxibustion to Shangxing (GV23), Qiangding (GV21), and Baihui (GV20) up to 200 zhuang, and 500 zhuang on the abdomen and back. However, Jiuwei (CV15) and Jueque (CV14) should not be excessively moxibusted; excessive application leads to thin and powerless limbs. The *Qianjin Fang* states that for Zusanli (ST36), one may apply up to 300 zhuang. Xinshu (BL15) is contraindicated for moxibustion. In cases of acute stroke, emergency moxibustion up to 100 zhuang is indicated. All these depend on the severity of the disease; one must not rigidly adhere to a single theory but understand its flexibility.