Spa Article
Thai herbs, the gift from nature
Thailand is full of local wisdoms and endowed with natural resources that can cure or prevent diseases. Centuries of collecting and practicing the local knowledge have led the use of Thai herbs and the practice of traditional Thai massage to be famous all around the world.
Thai herbs are gift from nature that has played an important role in health and beauty of Thai people for centuries. The indigenous ancient wisdom of the usage and benefits of herbs has been passed on from generations to generations. The invaluable legacy of blending Thai herbs to everyday life, through food, drink, medicine, and beauty products illustrates the harmonious combination of nature and Thai way of life.
Herbal Drinks
When used in combination with food and beverages, not only have Thai herbs added wonderful tastes and stunning aroma but they have also given tremendous therapeutic value to the diner’s health. There are a number of healthy and refreshing drinks, which are made from herbs, spices, and edible flowers that help to complement and enhance the uniqueness of the spa treatments.
The most popular ingredients in herbal drinks are:
Lemongrass
Lemongrass is a signature ingredient in Thai cuisine, Thai herbal drinks, and Thai spa as it is full of numerous beneficial properties, ranging from aiding breathing, preventing flu, reducing acidity in gastric system, to inducing copious perspiration.
Pandanus Leaves
Apart from the sweet aroma it gives to the beverage, pandanus leaves also have properties in strengthening the heart, lowering blood sugar level, and enhancing body freshness. Beverages with pandanus leaves not only are refreshing, but also help relieve thirst.
Butterfly Pea (Anchan Flower)
This beautiful blue-colored flower has many beneficial usages and contains anthocyanin, which counteracts free radicals. It gives beautiful blue color to the beverage, and helps cure eye diseases as well as prevents eyes against degeneration.
Sweet Grass
Sweet grass is used as a substitute of sugar as the leaves of the grass contains sweet substance, which is suitable for diabetics. It is rich source of natural antioxidants and helps reduce blood pressure.
Hot Herbal Compress
One of the exotic cultural heritages of Thailand is the perfect combination of traditional Thai massage and the hot herbal compress, which relieves muscular aches and pain, as well as detoxifies the skin and boost energy levels. The hot herbal compress method is resulted from the traditional Thai herbal recipes based on the healing power of natural ingredients. A rich blend of natural ingredients in the hot herbal compress provides invigorating and relaxing effects to the body and mind.
The compress is prepared by wrapping the herbs in a piece of cotton cloth and heated in a steamer at a temperature of 120 °C for 15 to 20 minutes. Once the practitioner has tested that the compress is not to hot, then it can be pressed directly onto the acupressure points. The heat from the herbal compress soothes the residual tension of the muscles after the traditional Thai massage, and delivers utmost muscular and mental relaxation. The hot compress also stimulates the blood circulation and helps opening the pores to allow the therapeutic properties of the herbal mixture to penetrate the skin to moisturize, detoxify and enhance the skin tone.
Another tremendous valuable benefit of the hot herbal compress is its aroma-therapeutic properties. The essential oils of the herbs that are released with the steam restore the elemental balance of the mind and spirit, reduce stress, as well as relieve respiratory congestion and treating various symptoms; such as, sinus and asthma.
The main ingredients of hot herbal compress and its therapeutic values are as followed:
Lemongrass (Takhrai)
Lemongrass is included in the hot herbal compress for its antiseptic, soothing, and invigorating effects. The aroma of lemongrass also helps relieve stress, clear the head, and aids breathing.
Kaffir Lime (Makrut)
The zest of kaffir lime, the foundation ingredient of many curry dishes in Thai cuisine due to its exotic flavor and richly perfumed scent, is one of the major ingredients of herbal compress. Kaffir Lime gives a refreshingly sweet, lemony scent that ease breathing.
Camphor (Karabun)
This white powder-like substance is extracted from the camphor tree. The refreshingly cool scent of camphor is used to soothe respiration and relieve cold symptom.
Cassumunar (Phlai)
Cassumunar or Phlai is a ginger-like rhizome, which is known for its ability to relieve muscle and joint pain, reduce swelling, as well as tone and soften skin.
Turmeric (Khamin)
This dried and crushed orange-colored rhizome is used to treat stomach discomfort, but is more popular as a traditional skin care products as it contains natural moisturizer and antiseptic properties.
Acacia Concinna (Som Poi)
The leave of acacia concinna has many remedial qualities, especially for the hair and skin. Acacia concinna is put as a part of the herbal compress to help nourishing the skin and cure skin diseases.
Tamarind (Makham)
Tamarind is a type of fruit with a variety of medicinal properties. The acidity of the tamarind leaves in the herbal compress helps the skin to absorb other herbal ingredients faster, as well as cleanses, heals, purifies and relieves skin irritation.
Royal or Court Massage (Nuat Ratchasamnak)
One of the two types of traditional Thai Massage, Royal Massage or Court Massage was formally offered only to the members of the royal family. Royal Massage is different in terms of techniques from the Folk Massage (Nuat Chaloeisak), which is commonly known around the world. Royal Massage emphasizes on using only hands fingers to apply pressure on the “sen pressure points”, associated with the “sen lines”, which is the body’s major energy line.
Since Royal Massage was offered only to the royal family, the practice is more polite than the Folk Massage. Knees, elbows, and feet are not to be used by the practitioners during the massage session. The purpose of the Royal Massage is more a treatment rather than for relaxation, and the clients will know which part of their bodies is in trouble by the sharp pain when the practitioner performs the massage.
The pressure applied, the duration of the pressure application, and the angles and position of the practitioner’s fingers and palms are all the techniques that make the Royal Massage unique.