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The *Xia Jing* (Classic of Lower Antiquity) records: Since ancient times, when treating diseases with moxibustion, it is taboo to use the wood of eight types of trees: pine, cypress, zhi tree, orange, elm, jujube, mulberry, and bamboo. One must strictly avoid these woods. If there is a fire pearl focusing sunlight, mugwort placed beneath it can be ignited; alternatively, a fire mirror reflecting sunlight can also ignite mugwort. These sources of fire are all excellent. Various ethnic tribes strike Bangteng iron against Kong stone (a phosphorus-containing ore) to produce sparks, which are then used to ignite mugwort. Ordinary people find it difficult to prepare such tools at all times, so it is better not to use wood fires. Instead, one may light a lamp with pure sesame oil and burn the stem of mugwort on the lamp for moxibustion. This method moistens the moxa sore, ensuring no pain until healing is complete.

The *Yong La Liang Fang* (Good Prescription for Using Wax) records: For obtaining fire, it is advisable to strike stones to create fire. (Currently, boatmen strike a hole in a stone with a blunt iron knife and place paper ash pellets below to catch the spark, thereby obtaining fire.) Or, using a crystal lens to focus sunlight to obtain solar fire is optimal. On cloudy days, locust wood is used to obtain fire.

The *Xia Jing* records: Whenever moxibustion induces a sore, the afflicted disease will heal; if no sore develops, the disease will not resolve. The *Jia Yi Jing* (Classics of Jia Yi) records: For moxa sores that do not develop, apply a hot old shoe sole to the area by ironing it; the sore will emerge within three days. Currently, take three to five stalks of red-skin green onion, remove the green skin, roast them in fire until cooked, crush them, and apply them hot to the moxa sore for more than ten repetitions. The sore will naturally emerge within three days. I have seen cases where moxa sores did not develop despite treatment; frequent application of raw sesame oil to the area induced emergence. Others used decoction of Gleditsia sinensis (Tiao Ji Dao), cooled, and applied frequently to induce emergence. Some feared deficiency of qi and blood preventing sore development, so they administered Si Wu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) before and after moxibustion, as this decoction nourishes qi and blood. Generally, one cannot apply a uniform rule. I once moxicated both Zusanli (ST36) acupoints seven moxa cones each. After several days, no sore had developed, so I added two cones to each. The right foot developed a sore, but the left did not. I added one cone to the left foot, and both developed within two days. This depends on human adaptability and intervention. If left to nature, it would never develop. This is what human effort should strive to achieve.

After stopping moxibustion, one should immediately wash the area around the sore (approximately one or two chi) with a warm decoction of red-skin green onion and mint, to expel wind pathogens from the sore opening and ensure smooth circulation without stagnation, leading to natural ulceration and healing. (Some modern people fear water causes death and avoid washing with decoctions.) After the moxa sore crust falls off, wash with a warm decoction of peach branches from the southeast and tender willow bark to protect the sore from wind pathogens. If the sore becomes black and rotten inside, add Coriandrum sativum (Cilantro) to the decoction. If the pain is unbearable and persists for a long time, add Coptis chinensis (Huanglian) to the decoction for miraculous effect.

For dressing moxa sores: use willow catkins in spring, bamboo membrane in summer, new cotton in autumn, and white fine hair from rabbit bellies in winter; cat belly hair is even better. Nowadays, most people use medicated plasters, changing them two to three times daily, resulting in no pain. However, using only plasters tends to dry out the sore. To promote abundant pus discharge for disease resolution, it is especially better not to use plasters.