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Frankincense (Ruxiang), Myrrh (Moyao), Angelica sinensis (Danggui), and Flowered limestone (Huarushi) (each 5 qian, Licorice root (Gancao) 3 qian may be added).
Boil the above herbs together with the needles for half a day. Remove them, wash with soapberry water (Zaojiaoshui), then boil in dog meat for one day. Still polish clean and straight at the tip using tile fragments (nowadays, polishing with fine sandpaper on wood first, then polishing the needle is also acceptable).
Coat with pine nut oil (Songziyou). Keep it close to body temperature before use.

The Commentary on the Lost Chapters of Suwen states: When using Yuanli needles (Round-sharp needles) or Chang needles (Long needles), warm the needle in the mouth before needling. It also states: For Hu needles (Fine needles), warm the needle against the body until it is warm before insertion.
Old texts say: Warming the needle in the mouth aims to facilitate the flow of Qi through the meridians by warming it upon entry. Placing the needle in hot water now serves the same purpose. Mouth-warming differs slightly from body-warming. With mouth-warming, the needle tip is hot but the handle remains cold, unlike body-warming where the entire needle becomes hot.
Wang Jiezhai said: Recently, there is a method called "warm needle," which is a technique from Chu people. The method involves inserting a needle into an acupoint, placing a round cake made of White Atractylodes rhizome (Xiangbaizhi) over the needle, and applying moxibustion. This often yields results (this is the "burning needle" mentioned in the Treatise on Regulating the Meridians, suitable for treating tendon-cold conditions). However, in ancient times, needling was done without moxibustion, and moxibustion without needling. Combining both, or doing moxa then needle, is a later secular practice. It is prevalent among poor people in rural areas; it may be effective for those whose meridians are affected by wind-cold, merely by warming and promoting Qi flow. It benefits blood circulation but has little direct effect on the disease itself. The ancient methods were most exquisite, but improper use due to lack of mastery can lead to danger and clumsiness instantly. Only accurate moxibustion points are beneficial and harmless.

Fire needle (Huozhen) is also known as quenched needle. Frequently dip the needle in sesame oil (Mayou), burn it red-hot over a lamp flame; only then is it effective. If not red-hot, it cannot cure the disease and may harm the person.
When burning, keep the needle head pointing downwards to prevent hot oil from scalding the hand. Have someone else heat the needle initially, and the practitioner uses it temporarily to avoid heating their own hands. Mark the acupoint with ink first to ensure accuracy during needling. Fire needling is difficult and requires the mindset of a general facing battle to perform. Press the acupoint with the left hand, hold the needle with the right. Avoid inserting too deep to prevent damaging the meridians; too shallow will fail to remove the disease. One must judge the appropriate depth. Before performing fire needling, comfort the patient to prevent fear and panic, similar to moxibustion, though pain lasts briefly. After one insertion, withdraw the needle quickly; do not leave it in place. Immediately press the puncture site firmly with the left hand to stop pain. Fire needling can be performed on all parts of the body except the face, which is contraindicated. Fire needling is unsuitable for tinea pedis (Hongkangjiao/Foot Athlete's Foot), as it may worsen swelling and pain. It is suitable for abscesses or carbuncles where pus has formed internally but the skin surface lacks a head. Press the softened area of the toxicity to induce pus drainage. For large areas, mark the head, tail, and center with ink; three needles are suitable to lanced and drain the pus. When needling a swollen area, do not press the center; instead, press from both sides with fingers to guide the pus out. If the swelling is large with much pus, the practitioner should turn aside during needling to avoid being splashed by the pus.