How to make the Ancient Lao Herbal Compress?
Laotian herbal compress
In ancient Laos, local herbs and plants were fashioned into compresses made from indigo-coloured fabric. Indigo is the spiritual color of Eastern medicine and is believed to enhance the detoxification process. Today, the color is optional but the treatment remains identical: steaming compresses thoroughly pounded over the body to relieve pain and fatigue, especially after playing a sport or doing hard physical work.
Ingredients: 3/4 cup cooked rice, 1/3 cup fresh lemongrass (crushed), 1/3 cup fresh ginger (crushed), 1/3 cup fresh basil, 1/3 cup fresh pepper, 5 cinnamon sticks, pure cotton or muslin square, cotton string
Method: Mix all ingredients together, wrap in the cloth and roll up into a tight pouch; tie tightly with string.
Preparations:
Ingredients for herbal buns:
- 3/4 cup cooked rice,
- 1/3 cup fresh lemongrass (crushed),
- 1/3 cup fresh ginger (crushed),
- 1/3 cup fresh basil,
- 1/3 cup fresh pepper,
- 5 cinnamon sticks (or powder)
- pure cotton or muslin square
- cotton string
Ingredients for basic massage techniques:
Any massage oil of the following:
- avocado oil
- olive oil
- coconut oil
