Thai Herbal Heat Revival

This heated muslin parcel of aromatic herbs and spices is a heavenly health treatment in the raw; it is unchanged since Thailand's Ayutthaya period (14th —I 8th century) when a fragrant hot-pack was administered to war-weary soldiers returning home with muscle aches and bruises.

Today the poultice is still used to alleviate pain or inflammation (especially good Post partum) by opening the pores and bringing a medicinal heat to the muscles to induce relaxation.

The Thai herbal pack is excellent at The Oriental Spa, Bangkok and Banyan Tree Spa Pbuket. For an authentic steamy session, to soothe sore muscles and relax, combine the herb pack with a massage at the ThaiMassage School, located in the corner of the beautiful Wat Po temple in Bangkok. Watch out for some real heat here and some temporary yellow skin staining (from the turmeric), but leave feeling better than believed possible!

Fill the parcel with a random mixture of the following straight from the kitchen

of The Oriental Spa, Bangkok:

Ingredients

prai : (common Thai herb) for relief of sore muscles and tired joints

turmeric: an anti-bacterial skin freshener

lemon grass: an astringent for skin blemishes

Kaffir lime: for toning mature skin and for boosting circulation

Camphor: for cleansing minorinfections

Steps

1. Packed tight the parcel should be pomelo size, weighing roughly 400 gms (3/4 lb).

2. The pack should be heated over a steamer or hot pot. It can be left steaming until needed, at least five minutes.

3. The poultice can be placed anywhere on the body for 30 seconds to one minute in each place. It should not be used on the face or genital area. It is good for slimming.