Library

Shenzhen Fire (Divine Needle Fire) primarily treats cold pain in the heart and abdomen, gout, Bi syndrome caused by wind-cold-dampness, and Yin abscesses adhering to the bone. For any hidden pain in the muscles and bones, this method allows the fire energy to reach the disease site directly, yielding significant effects. (From *Bencao Gangmu*)

[Name] Peach Wood Needle Fire
[Origin/Material] Select peach tree branches growing towards the east.
[Collection Time] Collect on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month.
[Preparation and Storage] Carve the peach branch into a wooden needle, sized like an egg, five to six cun in length, and dry it for use.
[Usage] (Li Shizhen states) When using, place three to five layers of cotton paper over the affected area, dip the wooden needle in sesame oil, ignite it, blow out the flame, and prick the affected area while it is still hot. (Another preparation record for Lei Huo Shen Zhen is found in *Pinhui Fenlu*): (Li Shizhen states) Ignite it on a lamp, blow out the flame, cover with ten layers of paper, and prick the affected area while hot so that the heat penetrates directly into the disease site, achieving faster efficacy. Its preparation method: Take one liang of prepared Qi mugwort, one qian each of Frankincense (Ruxiang), Myrrh (Moyao), Pangolin Scales (Chanshijia), Sulfur (Liuhuang), Realgar (Xionghuang), Aconitum kusnezoffii Root (Caowutou), Aconitum carmichaelii Root (Chuanwutou), and powdered peach bark, along with five fen of Musk (Shexiang). Grind into fine powder, mix with mugwort, spread the herbal mixture inside strips cut from thick paper, roll tightly to the thickness of a finger, three to four cun long, store in a bottle, bury underground for seventy-seven days, then take out for application. Avoid contact with cold water when using fire needles.

Fire needles primarily treat tendon stiffness, pulling pain, and Bi syndrome caused by wind-cold, or paralysis with slowness and numbness. Upon needling, withdraw the needle quickly and immediately press the acupoint; pain will cease. If not pressed, pain will intensify. For masses, accumulations, and cold pathologies, withdraw the needle slowly and rotate it to expel turbid matter. For carbuncles and back infections with pus but no head, prick to allow pus drainage without pressing the hole. Regarding fire needles, if inserted too deeply, meridians and collaterals are damaged; if too shallow, the disease cannot be removed. The key lies in mastering the appropriate depth. Fever and aversion to cold after needling indicate the disease is responding (Zhongbing). Fire needles must not be used on the face, nor on the feet during summer months when damp-heat is prevalent. This section is from *Bencao Gangmu*.

[Name] Fan Zhen (Burning Needle), Cui Zhen (Quenching Needle), Shao Zhen (Scorching Needle), Wei Zhen (Warm Needle). (Li Shizhen states) Fire needles refer to the Fan Zhen and Cui Zhen mentioned in *Suwen*. Zhang Zhongjing called them Shao Zhen, and people in Sichuan and Shu regions call them Wei Zhen.
[Preparation] The method is as follows: Fill a cup with sesame oil, light fourteen rush wicks as lamps, frequently coat the needle with sesame oil, and burn it on the lamp until it glows red. If the needle is not red or is cold upon use, it will harm the body and fail to remove the disease. These needles are best made from fire tongs. Acupoint markings must be clear; errors yield no effect.
[Therapeutic Principle] (*Suwen* states) For diseases in the tendons, regulate the tendons using Fan Zhen to劫刺 (Jie Ci - seize and puncture) below the affected area and where tendons are stiff. For diseases in the bones, regulate the bones using Cui Zhen combined with herbal moxibustion/warming. (Also see *Lingshu Jing*) Describing various Bi pains arising from the twelve tendon systems, it states treatment lies in Fan Zhen Jie Ci, taking effectiveness as the standard and pain points as Shu points.
[Contraindications] (It also states) Diseases of the tendon systems: Cold causes reversal and tendon stiffness; Heat causes flaccidity, inability to gather, impotence, and non-use. Quenching/stabbing applies to cold-induced stiffness; do not use Fan Zhen for flaccidity and inability to gather. From this, Fan Zhen is designed for cold-induced tendon stiffness, representing the orthodox method of treating cold with heat. Later generations used it for masses, borrowing fire energy to disperse cold coagulation and expel turbidity. Some used it for carbuncles, employing the "following" method to drain toxic vapors. However, ignorant practitioners using it for Shanghan (Cold Damage) and febrile diseases are mistaken.
[Taboos] (Zhang Zhongjing states) In Taiyang Shanghan, adding warm needle therapy will inevitably cause palpitations/fright. For those with deficient Ying Qi, adding scorching needles leads to stagnant blood flow, increased fever, and irritability. In Taiyang disease, after erroneous purgation leading to epigastric fullness, with both exterior and interior deficiency, exhaustion of Yin and Yang, adding scorching needles results in chest irritability, bluish-yellow complexion, and moist skin; this is difficult to treat. These harms arise because practitioners do not understand the principles established by ancient sages for needle therapy, leading to misuse.
[Explanation] Furthermore, for liver deficiency causing blurred vision and excessive tearing, wind-red eyes, formation of corneal opacities (Yi), stubborn purulent secretions, white membranes causing blindness after illness, or five viscera deficiency labor with wind-heat rushing upward to cause eye opacities, warming and cauterization methods are suitable. This is because Qi and Blood flow freely when warmed and stagnate when cooled. The method involves using a flat-headed needle, sized according to the opacity, heating it red, and gently cauterizing directly on the center of the opacity. After cauterization breaks the opacity, apply depuration medications immediately.