cellulite-reducing herbal bath and massage invented by owner Khun Shelida Buranasiri, derived from ancient midwifery practice. "Don't expect incense and candles," she warns, "my particular treatment is not about pampering, it's healing."
Her statement sums up the fundamental aspect of the Thai spa. The candles, flowers and luscious surroundings add to the sensory delights—but at the core of the best Thai spas is the Thai healing tradition, a special element offering the benefits of a glowing complexion, renewed energy and a feel-good factor, inside and out.
fragrant herbal healing
"Don't overlook the techniques of ancient remedies... the healing power of herbs and plants is far deeper and greater than what you only see on the surface."
—Khun Komon Chitprasert, traditional herbal therapist and owner of Thai Herbal Spa
thai herbal
Traditional herbal remedies were once the secret domain of monks, local herbal healers and midwives. Because few people received a formal education in ancient times, healing traditions were passed down orally through generations within families. Very few records of healing knowledge exist; the ones that do are inscribed on manuscripts known as samut khoi, made of the same type of parchment used to record Buddhist scriptures.
Because much ancient medical knowledge came to Thailand from India through Buddhist monks, temples became the centres of learning with religious texts and manuscripts housed in special libraries. That is how monks gained a reputation as healers. There also existed a strong tradition of local folk medicine and herbal lore that involved animism, spirituality and astrology. Because monks themselves were folk people, some practices of folk medicine were incorporated into temple teachings. But as the vows of monkhood prohibited physical contact with women, midwives were trained in herbal medicine that specifically addressed issues of childbirth.
Local folk medicine contained elements of animism, such as the belief in the powers of rocks and stones for energy, and shamanism, with the concoction of medicines accompanied by chants and blessings. Midwifery was also concerned with the spiritual. An important element in midwifery was the belief that the midwife's role was to help prepare the spiritual path for the new baby that was about to enter the world. This was done by creating a state of Utopia in the mind, body and spirit for the mother, through the practice of herbal cleansing rituals and massages.
Turmeric has long been used by Thais as a powerful skin soothing facial cosmetic. Fresh turmeric can irritate sensitive skins, so often a dried, powdered form is used in facial treatments.
Yaa mong, or tiger balm, is a popular all-purpose remedy for insect bites, itchiness, rashes and skin irritations, and can come in herbal formulas such as this one.
Ancient Thai healing secrets were documented on parchment called samut khoi. This manuscript, in a northern Thai tribal dialect, describes herbal ingredients and remedies, as well as mystic beliefs and superstitions concerning the practice of traditional healing.
There are many traditional beliefs governing the practice of herbal medicine, such as the regulation of the times and places for the collection of herbal ingredients. It is known that evening flowers such as jasmine and ylang-ylang are best collected at night, when their powers are most potent. Healers are required to perform certain chants while picking herbs; they ask forgiveness from mother earth, or Phra Mae Toranee, and receive her permission to gather the plants. The chants are accompanied by the lighting of incense. "The chants imbue the ingredients with greater healing powers than if you buy them from the market," says herbal therapist and owner of the Thai Herbal Spa in Bangkok, Khun Komon Chitprasert, who comes from a long line of healers from Phitsanulok in northern Thailand.
It is also said that certain plants must come from certain locations, due to the type and quality of soil. The soil for the tong pan chang plant, whose bark and flowers are used to treat internal injuries, is best in Sukhothai so the most effective ingredients are known to come from there. The time and date of plucking herbs is also crucial—at full moon is best because the energies of earth, moon and sun are at their most powerfull then.
Thai herbs are often accompanied by stories of their healing properties. Luuk blag mae, or 'mother and daughter', is the name of a youth-enhancing herbal concoction that is said to make a mother look as young as her daughter. Legend has it that a mother who once ate the leaves of its ingredients immediately had fresher, younger skin! Another ingredient, the rhizome of dog thong, was used as a love potion for men because it was believed that it had the power to make girls fall in love.
According to traditional practitioners, herbal healing is a system of belief in the powers of nature and earth. "People are distracted by modern techniques and they overlook the power of ancient remedies," says Khun Komon. "They don't see how far-ranging the benefits of herbal medicine are. People should return to using traditional remedies, because their healing powers are far greater than what you only see on the surface."
Herbal cough syrup from the Chao Praya Abhaibhubejr hospital, Prachinburi province.
Dried herbal ingredients and medicines are still sold in traditional medicine shops in Bangkok.
Some old remedies, such as these herbal breath-freshening tablets, remain popular to this day.
SOAP NUT (Sa pindus emarginatus)
This ancient beauty ingredient derives its unusual name from the foam that is produced by crushing the fruit. For centuries Thai women have used the fruit to darken and thicken their hair. It is also believed to prevent hair loss.
KAFFIR LIME LEAF (Citrus hystrix)
Called makrut in Thai, this leaf is used in Thai cuisine to add a lemony flavour to soups and salads, while the zest is a popular ingredient in herbal compresses and the oil is used in aromatherapy. The fresh fruit is an all-purpose aid to hair beauty—making tresses soft and silky.
DEODORANT STONE
A rock-like mineral, saan som has been used by Thais as a natural deodorant and anti-perspirant for centuries. The 'stone' is wetted and then rubbed under the armpits. Before the advent of modern plumbing, the mineral was dropped into giant rainwater jars in order to 'deodorise' water; it drew sediment to the bottom of the jar, thus leaving the upper levels clear and fresh.
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