The Hot Herbal Compress treatment provides herbal therapy, aromatherapy and thermal therapy all at once, in a massage modality that is both old and traditional, but new and unique.
This treatment has drawn on various modalities to create a soothing, purifying, and rejuvenating massage. The blending of traditional Thai Stem, Swedish techniques, hydrotherapy, and Hawaiian Lomi-Lomi give this treatment a flowing and remedial effect.
The hot compress is applied to the body in gentle pressing, circular and rolling movements, allowing the heat and herbal components to penetrate deep into the tissues. The herbs possess properties that are anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, astringent and antioxidant. They are used to address sore muscles, sprains and bruises, cleanse and heal the skin, and aid in upper respiratory ailments such as bronchitis, asthma and the common cold.
This is not a deep tissue treatment, but the affects are a deeply relaxing yet rejuvenating experience. Full body, 60 minute massage
What is a Hot Herbal Compress Massage
Each treatment involves two “stems” or herbal compress balls, in addition to the massage techniques. The stems used for this treatment are made from a blend of several specific medicinal herbs and essential oils mixed with organic dehydrated coconut. They are then wrapped in unbleached cotton and steamed to release the beneficial properties and essences of the coconut, plants and oils.
The compresses are steamed and used to penetrate the skin and pores, through moist heat therapy with the herbal benefits.
The deep moist heat produced by the steamed stems is highly effective when dealing with deep seated muscle tension and the aromatherapy offered by the herbs is a wonderful way to encourage relaxation and promote the healing process. The oil from the organic coconut flesh is microbial, antiviral and anti-fungal, and provides a deep moisturizing effect to the skin. The cotton covering and the oils produced by the herbs offers an additional advantage of exfoliating, cleansing and improving the skin.
Benefits of Hot Herbal Compress massage
As the pores open and allow the herbs to take effect, ailments such as stiff, tired or pulled muscles and soft tissues, back pain, migraines, stress and anxiety tend to melt away.
Possible benefits of this therapy:
induces deep relaxation
relieves symptoms from stress and fatigue
boosts both emotional and physical well-being
moisturizes and revitalizes dry skin
improves circulation of blood and lymph
boosts immune function
stimulates the internal organs
This treatment is not recommended for:
pregnant or breastfeeding women
those with uncontrolled high blood pressure
those with environmental, strong fragrance or heat sensitivities
What's in the bundle?
Anne uses a selection of organically grown herbal and essential oil blends which are traditionally used in Thailand for muscle pain, inflammation, circulation stimulation and detoxification. She mixes these with shredded coconut which helps to nourish, soothe, and revitalize the skin.
Anne prepares these bundles the day of the treatment, and are only used the one time. Contents are composted after use.
Herbal Ingredients: Ginger, Turmeric, Lemongrass, Lime peel, Chamomile, Camphor, Black Pepper, Eucalyptus, dehydrated organic coconut; wrapped in unbleached natural cotton.
History
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.
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.
In ancient times it was used by Thai royalty in elaborate treatments and by soldiers for aches and pains after returning from battle. 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.
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.
Thai medicine experts say that knowledge of herbal compresses made its way to the West by practitioners who traveled to schools, such as the Old Medicine Hospital in Chang Mai and Wat Po in Bangkok, and studied the art directly from Thai masters.
