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Reed fire and bamboo fire are primarily used to decoct all kinds of nourishing medicines (Compendium of Materia Medica). [Usage] Li Shizhen stated: Using the fire from old reeds and withered bamboo is chosen because it is neither too strong nor too weak, thus not damaging the medicinal power. Mulberry wood fire is chosen for its ability to assist the medicinal power; charcoal fire is chosen for its slow heat; oak charcoal fire is chosen for its tight, warm heat, suitable for warming and nourishing; using bran, horse manure, or cow manure as fuel is chosen because their heat is gentle, allowing the medicinal power to be distributed evenly. [Preparation and Decoction] Whenever taking herbal decoctions, even if the ingredients are exquisite and processed according to regulations, if the decoction process is careless, and the water and fire control are improper or the heat intensity is lost, the medicine will be ineffective. Observing that the quality of tea and the sweetness of rice depend on the success or failure of water and fire cooking, one can infer the importance of decocting medicine. Therefore, decocting medicine requires careful and mature adults, using deep pots sealed tightly, fresh water, and active fire, starting with vigorous fire (Wu Huo) and switching to mild fire (Wen Huo), following the correct method. There is no case where it fails to be effective.

Moxa fire is primarily used for moxibustion to treat various diseases. If treating various wind-cold disorders, adding a small amount of sulfur yields particularly good results (Compendium of Materia Medica). [Usage] Li Shizhen stated: For moxibustion with moxa, the fire source should ideally be obtained using Yangsui (sun-gathering bronze mirror) or Huozhu (fire pearl) to capture the true fire of the sun. Secondly, drilling locust wood for fire is best. If urgently needed and difficult to prepare, pure hemp oil lamps or candle flames may be used. The moxa stem is ignited and applied to the moxa cone; this moistens the moxibustion wound until it heals without pain. [Nature] Warm and hot. [Qi Mechanism] It belongs to the yang within yin, characterized by ascending flame. [Contraindications] Fire from striking metal, hitting stone, drilling wood, and the "Eight Woods" fire are all unusable. (Shao Yong said) Fire has no fixed body; it takes form through objects. Fire from metals and stones is fiercer than fire from grass and trees. [Taboos] Regarding the harms of "Wood-Entering" fires: Pine fire makes diseases hard to cure; Cypress fire damages the spirit and causes excessive sweating; Mulberry fire damages muscles; Zhe wood fire damages Qi and vessels; Jujube fire damages the interior causing hematemesis; Orange fire damages Ying and Wei and collaterals; Elm fire damages bones causing loss of will; Bamboo fire damages sinews and impairs vision. (Book of Southern Qi records) During the reign of Emperor Wu of Southern Qi, a monk brought "Red Fire" from Northern Qi. This fire was redder than ordinary fire but smaller in size, claimed to treat illnesses, and was sought after by people of all social statuses. Moxibustion up to seven moxa cones often achieved efficacy. Yangsui (Appendix to Compendium of Materia Medica) ○ Li Shizhen stated: A fire mirror, cast from copper with a concave surface. When rubbed to generate heat and held towards the sun, it ignites moxa. The "Si Shi" official in the Rites of Zhou obtained bright fire from the sun using a fire drill, referring to this. Huozhu (See Water Crystal entry in this section)