The Thai Traditional Medicine practice of using hot herbal compresses goes back to the ancient knowledge of healing properties of plants and herbs and their application on therapeutic qualities. A mix of herbs is wrapped in a compress, then steamed and when hot, applied to the body by pressing, gliding or smearing in circular, linear and/or rolling movements. Herbal compress treatments are very popular in Thailand. It’s the heat, by steaming, that is said to release both the aromatic and medicinal properties of a compress.

The technique can offer a variety of health benefits such as stress relief, relaxation, alleviation of fatigue, soothing painful, sore or tired muscles, tendons and ligaments, promotion of emotional and physical well-being, improvement of blood and lymph circulation, and internal organs stimulation.