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The *Zhen Jing* (Classic of Acupuncture) states: "When the pulse is sunken and deflated, moxibustion should be applied." There is nothing else in heaven and earth except the two qi of Yin and Yang. Yang qi is external and superior; Yin qi is internal and inferior. The term "sunken and deflated" mentioned here refers to Yang qi sinking into the Yin blood, causing Yin to occupy the upper position instead. In such cases, one must restore the Yang. When both the pulse and symptoms indicate coldness at the exterior, moxibustion should be used.

The *Yi Fa Fang Yi Lun* (Treatise on Different Methods and Appropriate Prescriptions) states that people in the North are suitable for moxibustion. This is because winter cold is predominant there, with Yang qi hidden within the interior; thus, moxibustion is generally appropriate. From a theoretical perspective, the Kidney governs the Yang qi of the Zang organs, which resides internally. During the three months of winter, it governs the closure of the Zang organs. If this condition becomes excessive or if pathogenic factors obstruct, illness arises, and moxibustion is indicated. This clearly describes the situation where Yang qi sinks into Yin water.

The *Nan Jing* (Classic of Difficult Issues) states: "For heat diseases located internally, select Qi points of the Yang meridians." This is because when Yang qi sinks into Yin, one should select acupoints connected to Heaven to guide the pathogen using fire to lead fire. This scenario is suitable for moxibustion. However, applying moxibustion indiscriminately to all patients would certainly be erroneous.

Zhang Zhongjing stated: "If the pulse is fine and rapid, moxibustion must be avoided." Because fire can become a pathogenic factor, leading to irritability and rebellion, depleting deficiency and chasing excess, causing blood to scatter within the vessels. Although the fire qi is slight, its internal attacking power is strong; it can scorch bones and damage sinews, making blood difficult to restore. He further said: "A floating pulse indicates that sweating should be used to resolve the exterior. If moxibustion is applied due to fire, the pathogen has no outlet. Instead, it intensifies due to the fire. Below the waist, the body will become heavy and numb, a condition known as 'Fire Reversal' (Huo Ni). If the pulse is floating and heat is severe, but moxibustion is applied in reverse, this treats an Excess pattern as Deficiency. Due to the disturbance by fire, dry throat and hemoptysis (spitting blood) will inevitably occur."

It is also stated that there are 365 acupoints on the body. Moxibustion on thirty of them is harmful, and needling seventy-nine of them causes disaster, primarily because they penetrate the marrow. According to the *Ming Tang Zhen Jing* (Illustrated Manual of Acupuncture Points), the contraindications listed under each entry are clear.

The *Nei Jing* (Inner Canon) states: "Where the pulse manifests is where the pathogen resides." A deep pulse indicates the pathogen is internal; a floating pulse indicates the pathogen is external. Physicians of the world often only understand pulse diagnosis but ignore the contraindications of specific syndromes. If exterior Cold patterns manifest—such as sweating, feeling constantly cold, frequent shivering and chills, lack of thirst, desire to cover with thick clothing, aversion to cold, cold extremities, and dry skin—the pulse will necessarily be deep, fine, and slow. If even one or two of these symptoms are present, moxibustion is appropriate, as this results from sinking Yang qi.

Conversely, if the patient has fever, aversion to heat, occasional restlessness, yellow complexion, dry throat/pharynx, dry mouth, yellow-red tongue coating, frequent thirst, and sore throat, these indicate Heat at the exterior. If even one or two of these symptoms are present, moxibustion is inappropriate. The pulse will necessarily be floating and rapid, or merely rapid; in either case, moxibustion should not be used. Applying moxibustion in such cases will immediately cause disaster.

If a patient suffers from anosmia (loss of smell), runny nose with clear discharge, itchy eyelids, yawning, sneezing, and aversion to cold, the pulse will be deep, indicating correspondence between pulse and syndrome. If a wiry and tight pulse is obtained with light pressure, it indicates Yin hiding Yang. Even if the face is red, moxibustion is still appropriate; one should not strictly forbid it based solely on facial redness. For example, if there is headache and aversion to cold despite facial redness, Fengfu (GV16) is suitable for moxibustion. If the headache extends throughout the head and wind aversion is more severe, the pathogen is in the Shaoyang meridian; Fengchi (GB20) should be moxaed, along with Fengfu (GV16). However, the moxa cone should not be large; it should be the size of a wheat grain, and seven moxa cones (zhuang) are sufficient. Excessive moxibustion poses a significant risk of damaging the eyes.