Currently, when people prepare medicinal materials and make various types of medicine such as pills, powders, paste, and decoctions, they only use fire as a heat source, using coal, liquefied gas, electricity, etc. as fuel for the fire. However, ancient people believed that different materials would produce different fires, and they would choose mulberry wood, reed bamboo, and various types of charcoal as fire sources based on the compatibility of the medicine. Coal and petroleum fires were rarely used in medicine preparation.
Mulberry Wood Fire: The fire produced from mulberry wood is smooth and can be used to prepare all kinds of tonics and ointments. The book "Baopozi" says, "All immortal medicine cannot be taken without mulberry wood decoction." Mulberry wood is also the essence of the Ji star of the Green Dragon constellation, which can promote joint health and nourish body fluids. When used in medicine preparation, it can draw out toxins, dispel cold and dampness, and promote healing. It can be used for diseases such as abscesses that do not heal, stagnant flesh that does not suppurate, and skin and muscle diseases such as ulcers and boils.
Reed Bamboo Fire: Suitable for decocting all kinds of tonics and medicines that expel wind, eliminate dampness, dissolve phlegm, and disperse accumulations. The fire produced is gentle and does not damage the efficacy of the medicine during the decoction process.
Charcoal Fire: The fire produced from burning wood to make charcoal. There are different types of charcoal, such as pine, cypress, mulberry, Chinese parasol tree, elm, jujube, orange, and bamboo, all of which can be used as sources of charcoal fire. For calcining medicinal materials such as minerals, stones, and shells, oak charcoal is the best choice. The medicinal materials can be directly placed in the charcoal fire for calcination, taking advantage of the dense and solid nature of oak charcoal and its strong fire. As for boiling, decocting, roasting, and frying various medicinal pills and powders, any type of charcoal can be used, not limited to oak charcoal. Nowadays, charcoal is widely used for dehumidification and deodorization. Ancient people have found that natural wood will rot over time, but charcoal will not, because "wood has vitality, while charcoal does not."
In addition, rice bran fire, cow dung fire, and horse dung fire have a warm and gentle nature, and can evenly distribute the medicinal efficacy. They can also be used to cook medicinal decoctions.
