The healing practice of Thai herbal compress therapy dates back nearly 5,000 years, to an era when the knowledge of plants, including their effects through ingestion or application on the body, were painstakingly researched and then passed down from one generation to the next.
This herbal therapy was designed to relieve pain and inflammation. A selection of therapeutic herbs, including prai, ginger, turmeric and lemongrass, are wrapped in a muslin compress, steamed and then applied to the body in gentle pressing, circular and rolling movements.
In Thailand, the herbal compress is called luk pra kob, translated as “herbal pressing sphere.” To make the compress, a combination of healing herbs is bundled together in accordance with ancient recipes, steamed and placed directly on the skin to soothe muscular aches and swelling.
The popularity that these herbal compresses have long enjoyed was mainly due to their easy adaptability—the treatment is neither expensive nor complicated, yet effective. For this reason, it has the power to transcend social barriers. In ancient times it was used by Thai royalty in elaborate treatments and by soldiers for aches and pains after returning from battle.
Some scholars believe that herbal compress massage was first introduced to Thailand by monks from India, who established the first Buddhist monasteries in Thailand around 200 B.C. Others believe it originated from rural folk medicine and was passed on by word of mouth through an unbroken chain of masters, or through secret manuscripts that changed hands from teacher to student. Herbal compress therapy retains its popularity in Thailand and is offered throughout the country—from storefront massage establishments to high-end spas to the Traditional Thai Massage School in the temple of Wat Pho in Bangkok.
Benefits of the technique
The Thai herbal compress technique offers several potential health benefits: It induces deep relaxation, relieves stress and fatigue, boosts both emotional and physical well-being, assists alignment and postural integrity of the body, improves circulation of blood and lymph and stimulates the internal organs.
“As the pores open and allow the herbs to take effect, ailments such as stiff, sore or pulled muscles and ligaments, back pain, migraines, stress and anxiety are almost instantly relieved,” says Prin Prakittiphoom, marketing manager at MSpa International, a spa-management company in Bangkok.
The hot compresses are ideal for alleviating pain, stiff, sore or pulled muscles and ligaments, chronic back aches, arthritis, even skin conditions, migraines and chronic stress or anxiety. The blend of traditional Thai herbs used in these compresses has a relaxing and invigorating effect on the body and mind, soothing sore and overworked muscles while giving the body’s energy reserves a huge boost.
The compress traditionally consists of a mixture of several herbs, most containing the six basic herbs as a base: lemongrass, prai (or plai), turmeric, kaffir lime, camphor and tamarind.
“These herbs possess properties that are anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, astringent and antioxidant, they are used to address sprains, bruises and sore muscles, cleanse and heal the skin by promoting cell growth, and [aid] upper respiratory ailments such as bronchitis, asthma and the common cold.”
in http://www.massagemag.com/Magazine/2007/issue133/Thai-Herbal-Compress-Technique-Thailand.php
This herbal therapy was designed to relieve pain and inflammation. A selection of therapeutic herbs, including prai, ginger, turmeric and lemongrass, are wrapped in a muslin compress, steamed and then applied to the body in gentle pressing, circular and rolling movements.
In Thailand, the herbal compress is called luk pra kob, translated as “herbal pressing sphere.” To make the compress, a combination of healing herbs is bundled together in accordance with ancient recipes, steamed and placed directly on the skin to soothe muscular aches and swelling.
The popularity that these herbal compresses have long enjoyed was mainly due to their easy adaptability—the treatment is neither expensive nor complicated, yet effective. For this reason, it has the power to transcend social barriers. In ancient times it was used by Thai royalty in elaborate treatments and by soldiers for aches and pains after returning from battle.
Some scholars believe that herbal compress massage was first introduced to Thailand by monks from India, who established the first Buddhist monasteries in Thailand around 200 B.C. Others believe it originated from rural folk medicine and was passed on by word of mouth through an unbroken chain of masters, or through secret manuscripts that changed hands from teacher to student. Herbal compress therapy retains its popularity in Thailand and is offered throughout the country—from storefront massage establishments to high-end spas to the Traditional Thai Massage School in the temple of Wat Pho in Bangkok.
Benefits of the technique
The Thai herbal compress technique offers several potential health benefits: It induces deep relaxation, relieves stress and fatigue, boosts both emotional and physical well-being, assists alignment and postural integrity of the body, improves circulation of blood and lymph and stimulates the internal organs.
“As the pores open and allow the herbs to take effect, ailments such as stiff, sore or pulled muscles and ligaments, back pain, migraines, stress and anxiety are almost instantly relieved,” says Prin Prakittiphoom, marketing manager at MSpa International, a spa-management company in Bangkok.
The hot compresses are ideal for alleviating pain, stiff, sore or pulled muscles and ligaments, chronic back aches, arthritis, even skin conditions, migraines and chronic stress or anxiety. The blend of traditional Thai herbs used in these compresses has a relaxing and invigorating effect on the body and mind, soothing sore and overworked muscles while giving the body’s energy reserves a huge boost.
The compress traditionally consists of a mixture of several herbs, most containing the six basic herbs as a base: lemongrass, prai (or plai), turmeric, kaffir lime, camphor and tamarind.
“These herbs possess properties that are anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, astringent and antioxidant, they are used to address sprains, bruises and sore muscles, cleanse and heal the skin by promoting cell growth, and [aid] upper respiratory ailments such as bronchitis, asthma and the common cold.”
in http://www.massagemag.com/Magazine/2007/issue133/Thai-Herbal-Compress-Technique-Thailand.php