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The *Xia Jing* (Classic of the Lower Section) states: Since ancient times, when treating conditions with moxibustion, one must avoid using wood from eight types of trees: pine (*Pinus*), cypress (*Cupressus*), bitternut hickory (*Carya cordiformis*), orange (*Citrus reticulata*), elm (*Ulmus*), jujube (*Ziziphus jujuba*), mulberry (*Morus alba*), and bamboo (*Bambusoideae*). It is crucial to steer clear of these. Regarding the method of obtaining fire, if a fire lens (fire ball) is used to focus sunlight onto mugwort (*Artemisia argyi*) to ignite it, this is the best method. Alternatively, using a concave mirror to focus sunlight to ignite the mugwort is also effective. Another method is striking flint with iron to create sparks, which is also acceptable. Nowadays, people use lamps filled with refined oil to transfer flame to ignite the mugwort; this method is viable and also helps moisten the moxibustion sore, preventing pain until healing is complete. Using candles is even better.

The *Qian Jin Fang* (Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold) states: Before performing acupuncture and moxibustion, one must first know the auspicious and inauspicious years for the patient's age, as well as the locations of the "Kao Shen" (Buttock Deity) and "Ren Shen" (Human Deity). As long as these do not conflict with taboos, treatment may proceed. Thus, for men encountering certain years or conditions where Qi is deficient, immediate needling could be fatal; wise individuals are cautious about this. However, in emergencies involving sudden, acute diseases where life hangs in the balance, rapid treatment is necessary. If one adheres strictly to taboos in such cases, it equates to superstition regarding ghosts and gods, which would certainly be a mistake. Generally, only one specific time period within a day is tabooed; for instance, the Eight Methods of Ziwu Liu Zhu (Midnight-Noon Ebb-Flow) are not bound by general taboos. When treating diseases that have not yet manifested symptoms, although selecting an auspicious day for medication and acupuncture/moxibustion is appropriate, one should still avoid inauspicious days ("Tian Shi Ri E"). Moxibustion should not be performed after noon, as it is believed that Yin Qi has not yet arrived, and moxibustion will invariably leave a scar. Performing moxibustion early in the morning might cause dizziness due to deficiency of Human Qi. However, in acute cases, these restrictions can be relaxed. If there is heavy wind, rain, or thunderstorms, treatment should be suspended and resumed only when the weather clears.

Whenever moxibustion is applied, it is necessary for a moxa sore (burn blister/ulcer) to form; only then will the disease heal. If the sore does not form, the illness will not resolve. The *Jia Yi Jing* (Classics of the Yellow Emperor on the Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion) states: For moxa sores that do not open, rubbing the area with remnants of old shoe soles will cause the sore to naturally open within three days. Other methods include applying sesame oil (*Sesamum indicum*) to induce opening, or frequently applying cooled decoction of soap bean (*Gleditsia sinensis*) to promote opening. Furthermore, if Qi and Blood are considered deficient, it is advisable to administer Si Wu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) for nourishment; however, this cannot be applied universally. After moxibustion, it is essential to ensure the sore forms to expel the pathogen. For dressing the sore, ancients used willow catkins in spring, bamboo membrane in summer, wax leaves in autumn, and fine white hair from rabbit bellies in winter; hair from cat bellies was considered superior. Nowadays, people commonly use medicated plasters, changing them once or twice daily to facilitate healing. It is more effective to change the plaster twice a day to allow for greater discharge of pus and complete removal of the disease. If using plasters, one must use genuine sesame oil mixed with medicinal herbs suitable for the condition, such as those that dispel wind, dissipate Qi stagnation, nourish blood, or heal injuries, tailored to the specific syndrome.