What is herbal poultice spa therapy?

Who can’t help but love these sweet little bundles of heated herbs that are pressed and pounded on your body to soothe and relieve muscle tightness? Since its beginnings in ancient India, the herbal poultice has travelled a long way. Today, you can enjoy various interpretations of this therapeutic treatment throughout Asia. Whether it’s in a temple or five-star spa, the gorgeous steaming poultice is something to be experienced.

Taking the heat

Healing with heat is not new. Most cultures use some form of heat in their traditional rituals, ceremonies and healing practices. In Australia, for example, Aboriginal smudge stick rituals involve burning bundles of specific herbs to cleanse a person, place or object of negative energies.

In ancient China, hot rocks were wrapped in bark and pressed on the body to relieve stress and muscular pain. In traditional Korea, warmed basalt rocks containing heat-retaining silica were wrapped in cotton fabric and placed on specific points of the body to eliminate blockages and reduce stress.

Then there’s crystal therapy, practised in Tibetan and Ayurvedic rituals, where heated crystals are placed on chakra points (energy centres of the body) to stimulate circulation. There are also the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practices of cupping and moxibustion to treat a variety of ailments via heat therapy. In massage, even the warmth of a therapist’s hands involves using heat to heal.

Turning up the heat further, the northern Europeans are well known for their love of the weekly sauna, while Native Americans celebrated the sweat lodge in ceremonial style, and the steam room is integral to the Turkish hamam (bath) culture.

But it’s the little herbal poultice, given as a stand-alone treatment or part of a massage, that is fast becoming a staple on spa menus today. The sensation of this heat therapy being pressed on your skin not only works to heal the body but can also induce immense calm.

Steaming it up

The herbal poultice is made by wrapping specific local herbs, flowers and plant extracts in natural cloth like a “dumpling” and heating it in a steamer for around 10 to 15 minutes or until the desired temperature is reached. The steaming process softens the compress and the aroma intensifies as the essential oils in the contents are released.

The therapist then takes the hot compress and presses it gently on various parts of the body. Movements contrast between a gentle touch, press and lift to vigorous pounding. The speed varies from slow and rhythmic to rapid. Sometimes two compresses are used alternately (the one temporarily not in use is put back in the steamer to maintain a consistent heat). It’s reported each session should not exceed more than 15 to 20 minutes and can be taken up to twice a day, preferably morning and evening.

Releasing toxins and tension

Like many of the healing treatments to be experienced across South-East Asia, the herbal poultice is believed to have its origins in the 5000-year-old Indian system of Ayurvedic medicine. Passed down through generations of travelling pilgrims and early traders, the poultice has travelled from India to Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Maldives and beyond.

According to Dr Thampi of Sereno Spa at Park Hyatt Goa Resort & Spa in India, the traditional Ayurvedic herbal poultice is classified under “swedana” (heating and sweating treatments) and is an integral part of traditional Ayurvedic treatment. Depending on the requirements and condition of the client, he says, the poultice is made with various herbal powders such as horse gram, rasna, nirgund, garlic, castor and dried ginger as well as the leaves of these herbal plants.

“Another ingredient that may be used is a special kind of rice called njavara, blended with milk and treated with herbs such as bala root powder,” Dr Thampi says, adding that according to the ancient Vedic texts, sometimes even animal meat was used in specific circumstances.

“Any heat treatment is usually considered a detoxifying therapy and is often given together with an oil massage to induce the heat and sweat that help eliminate toxins,” Dr Thampi explains, adding that deep penetrating treatments also help to release excess tension and muscular spasms.

The herbal poultice suggests that simplicity is best. A very easy treatment to create, these sweet little pouches have many health benefits: computer-induced tension, tight shoulders, lower back pain and neck pain are some of the complaints that can be treated with a little bit of poultice, as the benefits include reduced muscle contraction, relief of aching joints and increased blood circulation and energy. Reportedly, the poultice also helps stretch the connective tissues in the body.

When it’s given at the end of a massage, such as a traditional Thai massage, you’re bound to feel truly soothed, for then your body is already feeling relaxed, so the heat and herbs do wonders to deepen the experience. It’s a powerful way to mend the body and mind.