典藏书目

Any acupoint on the body is a place where Zang-Fu organs, Ying-Wei (Nutritive and Defensive Qi), and blood vessels circulate freely, with specific functions governing the interior and exterior. In emergencies requiring rescue, one must carefully examine and detail the situation.

People vary in age (young or old), height (short or tall), and physique (fat or thin). One must think carefully and consult standards to measure and adjust accordingly, without applying a uniform rule, to avoid errors. Regarding measurement methods, based on ancient standards, eight cun equal one chi. Take the transverse width of the first segment of the middle finger of the patient (left for males, right for females) as one cun. If finger lengths are irregular, take the transverse width of the first segment of the thumb as one cun, adjusting mentally according to circumstances; skill depends on the practitioner's judgment. The term "yi fu" refers to the width of four fingers placed together. Additionally, in areas of muscle texture, joint fissures, and depressions, when pressed by hand, if the patient feels comfortable and relieved, such careful and serene attention allows one to locate the point accurately.

As stated in the *Classic of Acupuncture*: "Transverse intervals of three cun" means applying three moxa cones with two spaces between them. One cun involves three moxibustion applications; each cone burns for three fen (approx. 0.3 cm or specific unit), and the area of three cones constitutes one cun. Huangdi said: "If moxibustion does not reach three fen thickness, it is a vain injustice to the patient; the moxa cone should be made large. For weak constitutions, the cone may be made smaller, consulting discretion."

When selecting points for moxibustion, the body must be kept level and straight, avoiding any tilting of the limbs. If the acupoint is not positioned correctly during moxibustion, it yields no benefit but merely damages healthy flesh. If points are marked while sitting, perform moxibustion while sitting; if marked lying down, perform it lying down; if marked standing, perform it standing. Reversing this results in missing the correct acupoints.

Regarding the number of moxa cones (zhuang): For robust adults with deep-rooted and severe diseases, the number may be doubled compared to standard prescriptions. For the elderly, children, or those who are frail, the number may be halved further. According to Bian Que’s moxibustion methods, quantities can reach five hundred or even one thousand zhuang, adjusted temporarily according to the condition. The *Mingtang Benjing* states: "Needle insertion six fen deep, moxibustion three zhuang," with no further discussion. Cao’s method includes one hundred or fifty zhuang, also found in *Duanju* and other formulas. However, one must act according to the severity of the illness, not adhering rigidly to fixed rules.

For newborns older than seven days up to one year old, moxibustion should not exceed seven zhuang, with cones the size of a sparrow's droppings.

Generally, moxibustion follows the order: Yang meridians first, then Yin meridians. This implies moving from the head downwards to the left, then from the head downwards to the right, generally upper parts before lower parts. Moxibustion should only be performed after noon, when Yin Qi has not yet arrived, ensuring efficacy. Before noon, at dawn, Gu Qi (Grain Qi) is deficient, causing dizziness and vertigo; acupuncture and moxibustion are contraindicated here. Be cautious. These are general principles, but sudden emergencies do not follow this example.

Regarding the intensity (sheng/shu - raw/cooked) of moxibustion: Above the waist is the upper part, below the waist is the lower part; the exterior is Yang-Ying, the interior is Yin-Wei. Thus, Zang-Fu organs circulate continuously, called Jing-Luo (Meridians). Therefore, men over forty have their vital energy in the waist; women over forty have theirs in the breasts. Men tend to decline first in the lower body, women in the upper body. The intensity of moxibustion should be moderated and adjusted according to disease changes. Generally, for external conditions, aim for "raw" (lighter); for internal conditions, aim for "cooked" (deeper); other cases adapt as appropriate. The head is the chief of the body, the residence of Shen (Spirit), where Qi and brightness converge, and all 365 collaterals ascend to it. It is the meeting place of all Yang meridians. Thus, head diseases require caution; moxibustion on head points must not be random. Excessive moxibustion injures the Spirit, potentially scorching Yang Essence and startling Yin Soul. Therefore, moxibustion on the head should ideally reach one hundred zhuang. The spine and back are the beams of the body, where the Five Zang organs attach and Taiyang meridians converge. Imbalances of Yin-Yang, movement, cold, and heat cause illness; excessive or overly intense moxibustion here causes great harm. Arms and legs are the branches of the body, connected to the Five Zang and Six Fu organs via blood vessels, enabling movement and interaction with the environment, nourishing the meridians. Since these areas are narrow and superficial, moxibustion should be minimal. Too much moxibustion prevents internal Shen from entering, causing spiritual blockage, numbness, and immobility of arms. Thus, moxibustion on the four limbs should not be too intense. However, internal abdominal organs, prone to greediness leading to disease, wind-cold stagnation, and indigestion, require deeper ("cooked") moxibustion. Specific points like Dazhu (BL11), Jizhong (GV9), Shenshu (BL23), and Bladder Ba (BL27-BL32) can reach two hundred zhuang. Points related to the Pericardium and Hand-Foot Taiyin can reach sixty to seventy zhuang. Zusanli (ST36), Taixi (KI3), Taichong (LR3), Yin-Yang Lingquan (SP9/GB34), and Shang-Xia Lianquan can reach one hundred zhuang. Abdominal points Shangwan (CV13), Zhongwan (CV12), Taicang (Stomach), and Guanyuan (CV4) can reach one hundred zhuang. For severe diseases, repeat treatment ("three reports") is necessary for cure. For sinking, knotted, and cold diseases, moxibustion should be deep and thorough. For Wind pathogens affecting Yin-Yang with fever and large pulse, use sharp needles for puncture and administer medicine every other day. For evil winds and ghostly infections with pain and shortness of breath, use fine needles to remove the pathogen, adjusting based on severity. Combine external needling with internal medication, adapting to time and circumstance, aligning with Heaven's will for long-term health and safety from sudden death. This is a brief summary; do not transmit to the unwise, keep it secret.

If the pulse is subtle and rapid, absolutely avoid moxibustion, as it damages blood vessels and scorches sinews and bones. After sweating, do not perform moxibustion; this is a major contraindication. If the pulse is floating and heat is severe, do not perform moxibustion.

For the head, face, eyes, and throat, moxibustion should be light and minimal. For arms and limbs, moxibustion should be slightly intense but not excessive. For the chest, back, and abdomen, moxibustion should be very intense. For the waist and spine, it should be slightly light. Generally, mental consultation and temporary adjustment are required, as responses vary infinitely and cannot be standardized. For warm diseases, moxibustion applied to affected areas can range from ninety to over one hundred zhuang. Dazhu (BL11) and Weiwuan (Stomach) can receive fifty zhuang. Hand Jueyin Pericardium and Hand-Foot Taiyang points can receive fifty zhuang. Zusanli (ST36), Quchi (LI11), and Taichong (LR3) can receive one hundred zhuang, repeated three times for cure. For wind-lao (chronic fatigue) with heaviness, systemic illness, or toxic gas diseases, limit to fifty zhuang, repeated three times. For attacks on Zang-Fu causing heart and abdominal pain, one hundred zhuang is appropriate. For sudden onset attributed to ghosts/demons, moxibustion on head, face, and limbs should be abundant, while abdomen and back should be sparse. Abundant: max fifty zhuang; Sparse: min three, five, seven, or nine zhuang. For Yin-Yang dampness causing facial paralysis, limit to thirty zhuang, repeated every three days. Mild cases: three repetitions; Severe cases: nine repetitions. This slow approach is needed because wind-dampness enters subtly; use gentle fire and warm qi to gradually extract the pathogen. Sudden urgency leads to deep-seated chronic illness, so gentle fire is essential. For various deficiency diseases with stagnant food/water, moxibustion on abdomen and back should be abundant, not exceeding one hundred zhuang. Generally, for sudden wind strike or seasonal qi invasion causing various ailments, urgent moxibustion is required; do not tolerate stagnation. If constitution is strong, no further issues may arise; otherwise, prolonged delay makes cure difficult. Understand this point well.

When traveling to Wu and Shu regions, apply moxibustion to two or three locations on the body regularly, keeping the moxa blisters open (not allowing them to heal quickly), so that miasma, warm malaria, and toxic gases cannot adhere. Hence, moxibustion is common in Wu and Shu. There is also the "A-Shi" method: when a person has pain, press the area; if pressing corresponds to the internal pathology, regardless of whether it is a standard acupoint, if it brings relief or distinct sensation, it is called "A-Shi" (Ah Yes). Both moxibustion and acupuncture are effective here, hence the name "A-Shi Acupoint."