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Before moxibustion, one should first remove heat-inducing items, administer kidney-nourishing herbs, and select key acupoints for treatment. The dosage must not be excessive, lest the Qi and Blood be unable to withstand it. When applying moxibustion to Qihai (CV6) or performing navel-moxibustion (Lianqi), lying-down moxibustion (Wojiu) is contraindicated. For individuals with inherent excess fire, if only Qihai (CV6) is moxibusted, Zusanli (ST36) must also be treated to drain the fire. After moxibustion, before symptoms manifest, hot-natured medicines should be avoided; after symptoms have manifested, cold-natured medicines should be avoided. One must constantly regulate and protect the Spleen and Stomach, waiting for spontaneous manifestation, without resorting to external medications. If chills and fever occur during manifestation, do not indiscriminately administer oral medicines. After the scab falls off, apply bamboo membrane paper for three to five days, followed by a paste made from sesame oil and rice flour. If there is abundant pus, change the dressing daily; if sparse, change it every two days, to promote pus discharge and hasten recovery. Diet must be regulated: avoid raw, cold, greasy foods, fish, shrimp, bamboo shoots, and ferns. Beef should be consumed sparingly; pork stomach and old duck may be used moderately when nourishing flesh. Strictly avoid the Four Qi (Wind, Cold, Summer-heat, Dampness), Seven Emotions (Joy, Anger, Worry, Overthinking, Grief, Fear, Fright), and Six Desires.

After moxibustion, avoid consuming pork, fish, alcohol, wheat products, and other wind-stirring foods, as well as raw and cold items. Chicken is considered most toxic, and sexual exhaustion is particularly harmful. Drinking water and washing hands/feet with water are also contraindicated.

The *Neijing* states: "Acupuncture without moxibustion, or moxibustion without acupuncture." Quack doctors, however, combine both. Later physicians, unaware of the Dao of Huangdi and Qibo, practice both interchangeably. They fail to understand that when texts say "a certain point at a certain location, needle a few fen, or moxa a few zhuang," it means if acupuncture is used, determine the depth in fen; if moxibustion is used, determine the number of zhuang. It implies that for points designated for moxibustion, acupuncture should not be added, and vice versa. Modern practitioners, upon deciding to moxa, often start with three zhuang, then needle, then moxa again, calling this "penetrating fire moxa" (Touhuo Ai). This demonstrates ignorance of the principles of Huangdi and Qibo.

Mr. Honggang once stated: Only on the abdomen, after needling, should a few zhuang of moxa be applied to secure the point; this is contraindicated elsewhere. This is also a pragmatic variation among physicians.

Question: The *Zhenjing* (i.e., *Lingshu Jing*) says, "Needle a few fen, moxa a few zhuang, moxa after needling." Why? Answer: Use acupuncture alone or moxibustion alone. Do not mix them arbitrarily.

"Moxa but do not needle, needle but do not moxa." The *Zhenjing* frequently admonishes this. Quacks using both simultaneously subject patients to torture akin to branding.

The Yellow Emperor asked: How does the pain of needles and fire compare? Shaoyu replied: Those with strong bones, weak sinews, loose muscles, and thick skin endure pain well. The Yellow Emperor asked: How do we know who endures fire? Shaoyu replied: Those with dark complexion and beautiful bone structure endure fire. The Yellow Emperor asked: How do we know who cannot endure the pain of needles and stone lancets? Shaoyu said: Those with firm muscles and thin skin cannot endure the pain of needles and stone lancets.