Library

The *Bencao* (Materia Medica) states: Horse bit iron is non-toxic. The *Ri Hua Zi* (Daily Life of the Substances) states: Old iron bars are good, or they can be made into needles for medical practitioners.

Commentary: The soft iron mentioned in the Materia Medica refers to wrought iron, which is toxic; therefore, using horse bit iron renders it non-toxic. In the Five Elements theory, the Horse corresponds to Wu (noon) and Fire. Fire conquers Metal, thereby resolving the toxicity of iron; hence, horse bit iron is used to make needles. In ancient times, "gold needle" was said to indicate preciousness. Furthermore, "Metal" (Jin) is a general term encompassing copper, iron, gold, silver, etc. If genuine gold needles are used, the effect is even better.

First, heat the iron wire in fire until red-hot, then cut it. The length may be two cun, three cun, or five cun, with no fixed restriction. Next, apply Toad Venom (Chan Su) onto the needle, and place it back in the fire for slight heating, ensuring it does not become red-hot. Remove it, and apply Toad Venom again as before. Repeat this coating process three times. On the third occasion, while hot, insert the needle into the inner side of cured meat skin but outside the meat itself. First, boil three bowls of water with the following herbs, then place the needle and meat into the decoction. Boil until the water is dry, pour the contents into water to cool, and remove the needle. Insert the needle into yellow earth more than one hundred times until its color becomes bright, which is ideal, to eliminate fire toxicity. Then, wrap the handle with copper wire. The needle tip must be ground round, not sharp.

Herbs and Dosages: Moschus (She Xiang, 5 fen); Chalcanthite (Dan Fan); Dendrobii Caulis (Shi Hu), each 1 qian; Pangolin Scales (Chuan Shan Jia); Angelicae Sinensis Radix Cauda (Dang Gui Wei); Cinnabar (Zhu Sha); Myrrha (Mo Yao); Curcumae Aromatae Rhizoma (Yu Jin); Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Chuan Xiong); Asari Radix (Xi Xin), each 3 qian; Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Articulus (Gan Cao Jie); Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum (Chen Xiang), each 5 qian; Magnetitum (Ci Shi, 1 liang, capable of guiding various herbs into the iron).

Another method: Use Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata (Wu Tou) and Crotonis Fructus (Ba Dou), each 1 liang; Sulphur (Liu Huang) and Ephedrae Herba (Ma Huang), each 5 qian; Momordicae Semen (Mu Bie Zi) and Mume Fructus (Wu Mei), each 10 pieces. Place them in water with the needle, and boil in a porcelain jar for one day. Wash and select them. Then use Myrrha (Mo Yao) and Boswelliae Resina (Ru Xiang) for pain relief, along with Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Dang Gui) and Spodum (Hua Ru Shi), each half liang. Boil in water for one day as before. Remove, wash with Gleditsiae Sinensis Fructus (Zao Jiao) water, and then boil in dog meat for one day. Finally, polish clean and straighten with tile powder, coat with Pinus Massoniana Seed Oil (Song Zi You), and keep it close to human body heat, which is excellent.

The commentary on the lost chapters of the *Suwen* (Plain Questions) states: When using Yuanli Needles (Round-benefit Needles) and Chang Needles (Long Needles), warm the needle in the mouth before needling, and use it when warm. It also states: Since filiform needles (Hao Zhen) are in close contact with the patient's body, warm needles should reach a warm temperature before insertion.

Commentary: Warming the needle in the mouth aims to facilitate the smooth flow of Qi through the meridians once the needle enters, as Qi moves easily when warmed. Currently, some people immerse needles in hot water, which follows the same principle. There is a slight difference between mouth-warming and body-warming. With mouth-warming, although the needle head is hot, the handle remains cold. It is preferable to warm it against the body, so that the entire needle becomes hot.