As with other herbal therapies, the ingredients in the compress may be mixed according to specific formulae to address specific ailments. Generally the compress contains from 9 to 20 ingredients, though there are some standard ingredients that form the base of every compress.
If you want to make your own compress at home, we suggest you use some of the following healing ingredients :
Camphor : It's cooling and tingling sensation helps invigorate the skin.
Lemon Grass : This has antiseptic properties to help clear up the skin.
Turmeric : It's antiseptic properties help soothe and cleanse irritated skin.
Prai : This ginger is a natural moisturizer that relieves muscular aches and pains while softening the skin.
Kaffir Lime : These miracle limes help tone the skin.
Take a handful of each ingredient, and place them in a piece of cotton cloth and tie into a firm bundle. Heat the parcel over an steamer or hot pot before applying on the body. Traditionally, the application was done in conjunction with massage - the sore muscles were worked first, then the heated compress was applied to the problem spots. The heat relaxes the aching muscles and helps to open the pores, allowing for better absorption of the herbal ingredients. Allow the heat to penetrate into your muscles, and feel stress and tension ease away beneath the healing kneading of a firm (but never painful) masseur.
Benefits include the soothing of sore and aching muscles, an easing of respiration with the ingredients camphor and menthol, and the reduction of tension through the heat and aromatic properties of the herbs. |