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According to the *Qianjin Fang* (Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold): For those traveling for official duties in the regions of Wu and Shu, moxibustion should be applied to two or three areas of the body. It is essential to ensure that the resulting moxa blisters (moxa sores) temporarily heal; this prevents pathogenic factors such as miasma (shān qì), leprosy-causing pathogens (lì qì), warm malaria (wēn nüè), and other toxins from attaching to the person. Therefore, moxibustion is widely practiced in the Wu and Shu regions. Hence it is said: "If one wishes to remain healthy, the Zusanli (ST36) acupoint should always be kept moist (suppurating)." Those susceptible to wind pathogens should pay particular attention to this.

According to the *Zhenjiu Baojian* (Mirror of Acupuncture and Moxibustion): If the Qi does not reach the treatment site, there will be no effect, and the moxibustion will not produce blisters. The twelve meridians correspond to the twelve double-hours of the day; the Qi of each meridian arrives at its specific time. Therefore, if one does not understand the abundance or scarcity of Qi and Blood in the meridians, nor the timing of their arrival, and proceeds with moxibustion blindly, the moxa sores will not form. Most physicians in the world are unaware of this principle.

The *Yitong* cites the *Bencao* (Materia Medica): Mugwort (Ai Ye) has a bitter taste and a slightly warm nature; it belongs to Yang within Yin, is non-toxic, and is indicated for moxibustion treatment of various diseases. It should be harvested on the third day of the third lunar month and the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, then dried in the sun. Old, aged mugwort is superior, as it can ward off evil spirits and ghosts. Regarding the method of harvesting mugwort, using mugwort burned on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month is effective. The preparation of mugwort wool must follow proper procedures: allow it to dry, pound it in a mortar, sift out dust and debris with a fine sieve, and repeatedly pound in a stone mortar until the finest, whitest fibers are obtained. It must be baked until extremely dry; otherwise, the moxibustion will lack potency, and the fire will not ignite easily. If it is damp... [text implies poor efficacy].

The *Zhenglei Bencao* states: Mugwort originates from Mingzhou. The *Tujing* (Illustrated Canon) notes: Older texts do not specify the origin, only stating it grows in fields; now it is found everywhere. However, mugwort from Qizhou has thick leaves and tall stems, possesses strong aroma and flavor, and is very effective when used.

Mencius said: "For a disease lasting seven years, seek three-year-old mugwort." Zhu Danxi stated: "Mugwort is extremely hot in nature. When used in moxibustion, its action moves upward; when taken as medicine orally, its action moves downward."

When Qi is excess, apply draining methods; when deficient, apply tonifying methods.
Where acupuncture cannot reach, moxibustion is appropriate. When both Yin and Yang are deficient, fire therapy (moxibustion) is indicated. When meridians are sunken/collapsed, fire therapy is indicated. When meridians are firm and tight, fire therapy treats them. When meridians are sunken, apply moxibustion.

When collaterals are full and meridians are deficient, moxa the Yin meridians and needle the Yang meridians. When meridians are full and collaterals are deficient, needle the Yin meridians and moxa the Yang meridians.

For the tonifying method of fire: Do not blow on the fire; wait for it to extinguish naturally, then press the acupoint. For the draining method of fire: Blow quickly on the fire, and leave the acupoint open.

The Yellow Emperor said: "If moxibustion does not penetrate three fen deep, it is a waste of suffering; the moxa cone must be large. For weak constitutions, make it smaller." He also said: "For infants older than seven days up to one year old, the moxa cone should be the size of a sparrow's droppings."

The *Mingtang Xiajing* (Lower Classic of the Bright Hall) states: In all moxibustion, the base of the moxa cone should be three fen wide. If not three fen, the fire energy will not penetrate, and the disease will not heal. Thus, moxa cones should generally be large, except for the head and limbs, where they should be small. The *Mingtang Shangjing* (Upper Classic of the Bright Hall) states: Make the moxa cone the size of the head of a small chopstick. If the pulse condition is thin like a fine thread, simply apply the moxa directly onto the vessel. Even moxa cones the size of sparrow droppings can cure diseases. There is another category: for conditions such as abdominal distension, hernia, zheng/jia masses, pi accumulations, and fuliang qi, large moxa cones are required.

Therefore, the *Duanju* states: The abdomen and back can be cauterized deeply (to suppuration); the limbs only need to dispel wind pathogens and should not use large cones. For points such as Juque (CV14) and Jiutui (CV15), moxibustion should not exceed four or five cones. The moxa cone should be the size of a bamboo chopstick head, applied precisely on the meridian. If the moxa cone is too large and the number of cones is excessive, the patient will permanently suffer from a lack of heart-mind energy. Excessive moxibustion on the head causes loss of spirit; excessive moxibustion on the back and feet leads to exhaustion of blood vessels, making the limbs thin and weak, causing loss of spirit and accumulation of pathological factors, leading to a short lifespan. Wang Jiezhai said: Moxa cones on the face must be small; on the hands and feet, they can be slightly larger.