Their “moxa” is a fine, crumbling wood-powder taken from the south side of birch trees. An amount the size of a pea is placed on the sore place, ignited with a birch twig and allowed to burn away gradually. It is placed where the pain is worst and the treatment is often repeated two or three times. This causes sores which often remain open for six months but which must not be treated, being left instead to heal of their own accord. It is used against all pains; headaches, stings, stomach aches, gouty and rheumatic pains etc. It is the universal remedy among the Lapps, which is why they call it “the little doctor”.