Another form of herbal medicine is called Moxibustion. Moxibustion is a method of supplementing an acupuncture treatment by burning an herb named mugwort close to the acupuncture needle. In some instances, the herb is on a piece of cardboard and place next to the acupuncture needle. In other cases a cigar like stick is lit and the practitioner or the patient moves the moxa stick near the needle and the affected area.
Moxibustion works to strengthen or tonify the effect of the acupuncture needle on the area, where it is used by stimulating the movement of blood in that area. The effect is usually warming, and balancing to the rest of the body.