明目者可使视色。聪耳者可使听音。捷辞疾语者可使传论。语徐而安静,手巧而心
审谛者,可使行针艾,理血气而调绪逆顺,察阴阳而兼诸方。缓节柔筋而心和调者,可
使导引行气。疾毒言语轻人者,可使唾痈咒病。爪苦手毒,为事善伤者,可使按积抑
痹。各得其能,方乃可行,其名乃彰;不得其人,其功不成,其师无名。故曰得其人乃
言,非其人勿传,此之谓也。手毒者,可使按龟,置龟于器下,而按其上,五十日而死矣;
手甘者,复生如故也。
北方者,天地之所闭藏之域也,其地高陵居,风寒冰冽,其民乐野处而乳食,藏寒生
满病,其治宜灸 ,故灸 者,亦从北方来。
《本草》云∶艾味苦,气微温,阴中之阳,无毒,主灸百病。三月三日,五月五日
采,曝干、陈久者良,避恶杀鬼。又,采艾之法,五月五日灼艾有效。制艾先要如法,令
干燥入臼捣之,以细筛去尘屑,每入石臼捣取,洁白为上,须令焙大燥,则灸有力,火易
燃。如润,无功。
《证类本草》云∶出明州。《图经》云∶旧不着所出州土,但云生田野,令在处
有之,惟蕲州叶浓而干高果气味之大,用之甚效。
孟子曰∶七年之病,求三年之艾。丹溪曰∶艾性至热,入火灸则上行,入药服则下行。
气盛则泻之,虚则补之。针所不为,灸之所宜。阴阳皆虚,火自当之;经陷下者,
火则当之。经络坚紧,火所治之,陷下则灸之。络满经虚,灸阴刺阳;经满络虚,刺阴灸
阳。以火补者,毋吹其火,须自灭也,以火泻者,疾吹其火,传其灸,须其火灭也。
Those with keen vision can be employed to distinguish colors. Those with acute hearing can be employed to listen to sounds. Those who speak fluently and rapidly can be employed to convey discussions. Those whose speech is slow and calm, whose hands are dexterous, and whose minds are careful and precise, can be employed to perform acupuncture and moxibustion (Moxibustion), regulate blood and Qi (Vital Energy) and harmonize their reversal or smooth flow, observe Yin and Yang, and integrate various prescriptions. Those with relaxed joints and supple tendons, and a harmonious mind, can be employed to practice Daoyin Xingqi (Guiding and Leading Qi circulation). Those who speak maliciously and lightly towards others can be employed to apply saliva to abscesses or chant spells to cure diseases. Those with sharp nails and vicious methods, who cause harm in their actions, can be employed to massage accumulations and suppress Bi syndrome (Obstruction Syndrome). When each person utilizes their specific abilities, the methods can be implemented, and their reputations will become prominent; if the wrong people are chosen, success cannot be achieved, and the lineage will not gain recognition. Therefore it is said: only teach those who are suitable; do not teach those who are not suitable. This is what is meant. Those with "toxic" (forceful/harsh) hands can be trained in pressing turtles: place a turtle under a vessel and press on its back from above; after fifty days, the turtle will die. Those with "sweet" (gentle) hands will see the turtle revive as before.
The Northern region is the domain where Heaven and Earth's closing and storing energies gather. The terrain is high with hills and mountains, the wind and cold are biting and icy. The people there enjoy living in the open fields and consuming dairy products. Consequently, they suffer from fullness diseases caused by cold in the Zang organs (Internal Organs), and the appropriate treatment is Moxibustion (Moxibustion). Thus, the art of Moxibustion also originated from the North.
Bencao states: Mugwort (Artemisia argyi) has a bitter taste and a slightly warm nature; it is Yang within Yin, non-toxic, and primarily used for treating all diseases requiring moxibustion. It should be harvested on the third day of the third lunar month and the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. Sun-dried and aged mugwort is superior, believed to ward off evil spirits. Furthermore, regarding the harvesting method, burning mugwort on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month is effective. To prepare mugwort, it must first be dried according to proper procedures, then pounded in a mortar. Dust and debris should be sifted out using a fine sieve. Each batch pounded in a stone mortar should be white and pure. It must be baked until extremely dry so that moxibustion generates strong heat and ignites easily. If moist, it is ineffective.
Zhenglei Bencao states: It originates from Mingzhou. Tujing states: Previously, the specific origin was not recorded, only that it grows in fields. Now it is available everywhere, but mugwort from Qizhou has thick leaves, tall stems, and abundant fruit, with a potent aroma, making it highly effective.
Mencius said: For a disease lasting seven years, seek three-year-old aged mugwort. Danxi stated: Mugwort is extremely hot in nature. When used in fire moxibustion, its energy ascends; when taken as medicine orally, its energy descends.
When Qi (Vital Energy) is excessive, use the draining method; when deficient, use the tonifying method. Where acupuncture is ineffective, moxibustion is suitable. When both Yin and Yang are deficient, fire therapy is indicated. When meridians are sunken/collapsed, fire therapy is indicated. When meridians are hard and tight, fire therapy treats them; when sunken, moxibustion is applied. When collaterals are full and meridians are deficient, moxa the Yin channels and needle the Yang channels; when meridians are full and collaterals are deficient, needle the Yin channels and moxa the Yang channels. For fire tonification, do not blow on the fire; let it extinguish naturally. For fire drainage, blow vigorously on the fire to accelerate the heat transmission, ensuring it extinguishes quickly.