Heated Herbal Compress in Thai Massage .

Heated Herbal Compress are an excellent addition to a Thai Massage . They are used everywhere from mountain huts in Northern Thailand to International Spas in major cities . The list of herbs used can vary a little acccording to local ingredients but a typical list along with effects is given below ; this combination of ingredients are useful to everyone and carry, to varying degrees, muscle relaxation , analgesic and anti-inflammatiory properties.  More highly trained herbalists can create bespoke compresses according to what they intend to treat . They can also be combined with heating type muscle balms and oils for extra effect. 

Most commonly, the compresses, though a combination of heat and the herbs will :

• Relax and soften sore muscles and tight tissues around the area being treated.
• Relieve pain in the area. 
• Reduce inflammation. 
• Prepare an area for deeper massage work if required, and bring circulation in after.
• Loosen congestion both in tissues and nasally. 
• Produce a relaxing aromatherapy effect. 
• Support Detox.

They can be used by themselves to support people for whom deep massage maybe too painful, such as people with fibromyalgia, Lupus or other autoimmune conditions, or as a way of creating good conditions for effective deeper massage .

In some cases they maybe useful for some people who would prefer not to have to take regular painkillers . This study carried out in conjunction with Chaing Mai University is interesting : Randomised Control Trial Comparing Thai Herbal Compress and Oral Ibuprofen for pain relief in knee osteoarthritis 

Here's a more detailed general description of  Thai massage with herbal compress from the US Massage Magazine :  Massage Magazine - Thai Herbal Compress 

For General information on thai Massage and my practice Totnes, Devon, UK: Nev Thai Massage.   

Ingredient list and their potential uses/benefits : 

Zingiber Cassumunar ( Phlai in Thailand ) - anti-inflammatory and analgesic.

Tumeric - anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.

Zedoary - anti-inflammatory and blood purification.

Lemongrass - antioxidant, analgesic, improves circulation and soothing for the nervous system. 

Derris Scandens Benth - Pain Relief. 

Cryptolepis Buchanani Roem - pain relief . 

Kurz Leaves - anti-inflammatory .

Pandanus - brain and heart tonic. 

Kaffir Lime Leaves - stress relief and rejuvation.

Tamarine Leaves - anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. 

Acacia Concinna Leaves - analgesic. 

Bauhinina Acumirata Linn Leaves - anti-inflammatiory and blood purifier. 

Pummelo Peel - decongestant .

Calamus - neurological problems , brain fog , depression. 

Myrtle - decongestant and mental clarifier . 

Camphor - pain relief and circulation support.

Citranella - Reduces muscle spasm. 

Gangal - tonifies tissues. 

Borneol  - Pain relief, skin tonic and stress relief.