The have been boiled in water and taken as a tea, made into pills, tinctures, powders, and as topical plasters. They are overwhelmingly used in formulas rather than individually. Used to treat both symptoms and the underlying condition, acupuncture is a powerful medicinal form. When used in conjunction with herbs, acupuncture will strengthen and expedite treatment. The needle insertion feels something like a mosquito bite.
Many people find the experience of receiving acupuncture relaxing and pleasurable.
Often combined with acupuncture, moxibustion entails the use of bundles of dried mugwort in the form of a cone or stick. The bundles are burned, like incense, and placed at specific points on the body. Moxibustion has numerous functions, including warming the Qi of the body in order to increase its flow. A kind of external manipulation employing over a dozen different techniques such as stroking, kneading, rubbing, pressing, knocking, and vibrating, including many of those techniques used in Shiatsu and acupressure massage. Tuina is often used as an alternative to acupuncture.