Thailand Spa Paradise

Thai Spas

By Chami Jotisalikorn

Aside from massage, other techniques that migrated from India were the heat-based therapies, such as herbal sauna, herbal steam and heated herbal compresses - techniques originating from the ancient Indian healing practices of Ayurveda. The olden-time practitioners knew that heat applied to body helped relax the muscles as well as prepare the skin for treatment. For example, the use of steam and sauna opens the pores and softens the skin, enabling the skin to easily absorb the therapeutic properties of herbs.

While heat acts as the catalyst, the real power of the traditional Thai techniques comes from the curative properties of plants. It was not just the ancient healers, but the local folk who knew that certain herbs, roots and flowers had specific abilities to rejuvenate the body and nourish the skin and hair. The herbs used in Thai health and beauty treatments have beneficial effects on the body both inside and out - for example, the same herbs used in the famous Thai Tom Yum soup are also used as ingredients in typical Thai beauty treatments, and can be easily found in any grocery store.

One of the most effective and versatile of the Thai healing herbs is turmeric, a relative of the ginger family that is used in many Thai curries and beauty treatments as well. Turmeric has anti-bacterial and disinfectant properties that help soothe irritated skin and aid the healing of blemishes and scars.

Kaffir lime, the bumpy green Thai citrus fruit, the leaves of which lend its tangy aroma to Tom Yum Soup, is an age-old beauty remedy used by Thai women through the centuries as a natural beauty remedy to make the hair soft and shiny. Its effectiveness as a beauty treatment is so entrenched in Thai grooming practices that it remains a popular ingredient in modern day Thai shampoos.

next page »

Copyright © Tourism Authority of Thailand News Room.
All Rights Reserved.