Everything You Need To Know About Thai Herbal Compress Massage…and Why You Need it in Your Life.
Written by Carla Pasco Jones | The Bodhi Tree Spa | 1st March 2022
Suppress any sniggers about ‘happy ending massages’! These are few and far between and Thai massage therapies are unbelievably healing, and are still part of the daily wellness routines of the Thais. I feel we can still learn a lot from the East on how to move towards prevention rather than cure from so many modern day ailments.
A Brief History About Thai Herbal Compress Massages
According to Thai history these wonderful little balls packed full of therapeutic benefits, have been used in Thailand for over 400 years in Thailand as a medicinal hot compress to relieve aches and pains of the body.
In fact, some reports cite the treatment was first used by Buddhist monks during the 14th century to treat injured soldiers returning from battle, making it a massage treatment which has been used for over 700 years!
What Exactly is a Thai Herbal Compress Massage?
A Thai herbal compress or Luk Phra Kob/ ลูกประคบ สมุนไพร, is made from a concoction of aromatic herbs making this an indulgently, healing treatment. Our Thai herbal compress massage consists of no less than 11 ingredients, which are listed below.
The herbs are wrapped in cotton fabric and shaped and tied into a ball…with a handle, for want of a better word. There are a few sizes of Thai herbal compress balls as this massage treatment can be used on both the body and the face.
As the owner of the spa, I have the hard work of having to trial all our treatments. It can be a very hard life! The Thai herbal compress massage is possibly one of my all time favourite massage treatments. Why? Because it feels like an incredibly relaxing massage, especially with all the amazing smells released from the herbal ball. Yet, because of the heat, it allows the therapist to go deeper into the tissue to tackle stubborn knots without damage and minimal pain compared with say a deep tissue massage.
Here’s the lowdown on how the treatment is performed. The Thai herbal compress ball is steamed until it becomes hot. Panic not, it will be a comfortable heat when it’s applied to your skin. The therapist uses the warm herbal ball in your massage treatment by applying the compress in a rolling, dabbing and rocking motion to your body and (lastly) your face.
Another fabulously relaxing part of this treatment, and another one of my favourite moves, is the stretching which is seriously relaxing. I literally can feel the tension in my body release like rubber-bands. Think Yin Yoga done for you!
These herbs have a host of therapeutic benefits that help restore the body’s health by helping to ease pain, heal bruises and soothe your skin by opening the pores and bringing a medicinal heat to muscles to induce relaxation. It’s also a fabulous treatment, to target specific pain points and ease the pain. And is especially good for postpartum mums.
What’s more, also balance your Qi (internal energy through your meridian lines).
What Benefits Can You Expect from a Thai Herbal Compress Massage?
- Anti-inflammatory
- Astringent
- Anti-oxidant
- Anti-microbial
- Can help with alignment and posture
- Eases pain and tension
- Helps relieve stress and fatigue
- Stimulates the internal organs
- Stimulates the lymphatic system
- Improves circulation and blood flow
- Deeply relaxing
Great massage for postpartum mum’s
What’s not to love about the Thai hot compress massage? Check out the list of ingredients below to discover even more benefits.
There are a few conditions, that have contraindications to this massage:
- Hypertension, High Blood Pressure
- Diabetic peripheral nephropathy (Exposure to high blood glucose levels over an extended period of time causes damage to the peripheral nerves – the nerves to the arms, hands, legs, and feet).
- Pregnancy
- Any allergies to the herbs used
- Any conditions which would prevent you from having a massage
The Bodhi Tree Spa Thai Herbal Compress Massage
If I’ve piqued your interest in this therapeutically yet relaxing massage which not only is seriously restorative, but stimulating to your olfactory senses too!
Your Thai Herbal Compress Massage treatment at the Bodhi Tree Spa starts with you choosing one of the aromatherapy oils from our Bodhi Tree Home range.
- Mind – Lemon, Lavender and Rosemary
- Body – Bergamot, Ylang-ylang and Lavender
- Soul – Lemon, Peppermint and Eucalyptus
Then your Hot Thai herbal compress massage begins, as I mentioned before, from the soles of your feet to your head. There is not one part of your body that doesn’t receive attention! We even use baby Thai Herbal compresses to massage your face to relax, soften and moisturise your skin and improve circulation.
As soon as you ready to try our newly launched Thai herbal compress massage, you can book in online, via our Google PlayStore or AppleStore via our mobile app. Or give the team a call (01494 870444).
Other Massage Articles
The Ingredients of The Bodhi Tree Spa Herbal Compress and the Benefits
Body Compress
-
- Zingiber Cassumunar Root Powder (Plai | ไพล)
- Curcuma Longa Root Powder (Turmeric) (Cumin | ขมินชÊ นั)
- Cymbopogon Nardus (Citronella) Oil (Lemongrass) (Takrite | ตะไคร้)
- Cryptolepis Buchanani Powder | เถาเอ็นออน่
- Kaffir Lime Leaf (Makrood | ใบมะกรูด)
- Tamarind Leaf (Makham | ใบมะขาม)
- Acacia concinna Leaf (ใบสมป้ ่อย)
- Curcuma Zedoary (Gachai Khao | วานนางค ่ าํ)
- Camphor (การะบรู)
- Galangal (Ka | ข่า)
- Borneol (พิมเสน)
Face Compress
- Zingiber Cassumunar
- Turmeric
- Tamarind Leaf
- Acacia concinna Leaf
- Curcuma Zedoary
- White or China Clay (Kaolin Clay / Calcium Carbonate | ดินสอพอง)
Zingiber Cassumunar is used for treating bruises, sprains and musculoskeletal pains. It has diverse medicinal properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, neuroprotective/neurotrophic, cosmeceutical, and antifungal/antimicrobial bioactivities. These anti-inflammatory properties when applied topically have a deep soothing and relaxing effect to any contusion, sprain and inflammation of a joint or ligament. As for skincare, this wonderplant helps treat hypopigmentation, skin aging and dermatitis.
Turmeric has a cleansing effect on the skin and helps with detoxification. It also has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties and helps with bruises, joint pain, sprains and muscle pain. For skincare, it is anti-ageing, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and is an antioxidant. In addition to these benefits, it helps heal and prevent dry skin. Helps eczema, psoriasis, acne, and wound healing.
Lemongrass has anti-inflammatory properties and is used for sprains, bruises, swelling and sore muscles. It is also high in antioxidants, helps fight fungal and yeast infections and rheumatoid arthritis as well as lower blood pressure.
Cryptolepis Buchanani is widely used in Southeast Asia for treating muscle tension and arthritis and has natural analgesic properties.
Kaffir lime helps to detoxify blood, improve digestion, reduce stress and lower the inflammation. It is often used to treat colds and is a decongestant as well as having antioxidant properties helping to support the immune system. When applied topically to the skin, the astringent properties helps to cleanse the skin and promote healing.
Tamarind is reported to be beneficial if you have cancer, diabetes or heart conditions. It also helps to detoxify the body and has some anti-inflammatory properties. It is high in Vitamin B1 and 3 which help support bone and brain health. It cleanses and purifies the skin, while the antiseptic properties soothes and heals. It doesn’t stop there, for skincare, it helps with acne too!
Acacia concinna Leaf is commonly used in Ayurvedic practices and is often used to treat hair loss among many other things. It’s high antibacterial properties are used to treat a plethora of hair conditions as well as skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, rashes and bruises. It also helps treat diabetes and high cholesterol and digestive issues. For skincare, it’s beneficial for reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
Curcuma Zedoary is also used for anxiety, stress and fatigue. It’s anti-inflammatory benefits help to reduce swelling, inflammation, wounds, skin ailments and pain.
It is very effective in treating respiratory disorders, tones up the uterus AND is an aphrodisiac! It also helps with abdominal cramps, amenorrhea-abdominal pain and rheumatic pain. For skincare, it’s used to treat acne, hyperpigmentation, and remove unwanted hair. It is also beneficial for baby skincare.
Camphor is used for stimulating and dilating effects for the respiratory system. It also has a calming effect on stress, anxiety and insomnia. Topically Camphor crystals have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties helping with muscle stiffness, sprains, strains, bruises or swelling as well as treatment for burns and aiding arthritis. The crystals from camphor are used in most saunas.
Galangal is high in antioxidants and polyphenols. It helps with blood circulation and cognitive function. It also eases pain from burns and has cancer fighting properties. It has potent anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and analgesic benefits, helping with inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, edema and IBS.
Borneol has a refreshing menthol aroma and is a core element in Chinese herbal medicine and is used to facilitate digestion, improve circulation, and ease pain brought on by rheumatic diseases. Its sedative qualities help to relieve stress. In traditional Chinese medicine, the borneol is associated with the heart, lungs, liver, and spleen meridians or energy centers.
White or China Clay (Skincare) has a host of benefits for skincare such as detoxifying and clearing pores, soothing your skin, reduces acne, absorbs excess oil whilst also being great for sensitive skin and deeply cleansing.
