Brief History of the Luk Pra Kop.

The Luk Pra Kop is the name of a treatment that uses a round herbal ball of special herbs that combined mixture of 12 herbs. The blend of medicinal herbs is wrapped in cotton and applied to the body as a hot compress for the relief of pain and inflammation, and to nourish and soften the skin. The Luk Pra Kop treatment has been used in Thailand for over 400 years, as evidenced by the historical evidence.

Traditional Thai Herbal Compresses.

Herbal compresses are frequently used in Thailand in conjunction with traditional massage. Hot compresses are used for treating chronic problems such as back pain, tendonitis, and tight ligaments, as well as to increase energy flow, improve circulation, relax muscles, and stimulate nerves.

Hot compresses provide the same type of stimulation as acupressure, and are used to stimulate tender or sensitive areas that cannot be massaged directly. ( For example, in therapy of back pain, the back may be too painful for direct acupressure, but hot herbal compress on the same points will provide similar benefits ). Typically, the masseur will not limit the compress to the area of injury or disorder, but will also work on acupressure point throughout the body to stimulate and relax the patient, and to promote the body’s natural processes.

The aromatherapeutic effects of the herbs used in the compress should not be undervalued. Many of these herbs have a balancing effect on the mind and spirit, and provide with a soothing reduction of stress. All of the herbs also possess properties which clear out congestion of the lungs and sinuses, and application of hot compresses to the chest and throat can be a wonderful way to kick a cold.

Another use of herbal compresses that should be mentioned is the application of cold compress. The cold compress can be applied with muscle strains, tendon or ligament sprains, contusions, hematomas, and more severe injuries requiring “ Cold Therapy “. Cold compresses help to reduce swelling and pain and can promote dissipation of pooled stagnant energy due to broken sen lines. Cold compresses will be applied only to the site of the injury and will be monitored while the practitioner massages other areas of the body.

Major components of the Luk Pra Kop & benefits of the herbs.

Luk Pra Kop Ingredients

The herbs are air dried, or mixed fresh in a specific ratio and bound in a cotton cloth.

Benefits of some of the ingredients.

Plai
Plai is a known anti-inflammatory agebt. Some specific uses are for relieving sprains, muscle pain, wound healing and colds. The portion of the plant used is the rhizome. Plai is in the ginger family.

Kha-Min ( Tumeric )
Tumeric is an anti-bacterial and anti-microbial, with specific used in the case of itching, infected wounds or to improve the appearance of the skin. The part of the plant used is the rhizome. Tumeric is yellow in color.

Ta-Klai ( Lemon Grass )
Ta-Klai is found effective for healing fungal and bacterial infections. The part of the plant used is its leaf and stem.

Puew Makrut ( Kaffir Lime Peel )
Kaffir lime is used to treat dry skin and damaged hair and dandruff. It is a natural cleanser and a deodorizer. The rind of the fruit is used.

Kara Boon ( Camphor )
Kara Boon is a diaphoretic which is good for asthma and rhinitis. The part of the tree used is the leaf.

For centuries, Thai people incorporated many practices into their lifestyle, based on the ancient wisdom of traditional Thai medicine. In the western world, we would call the practices “ Spa Treatments “ as spa has become the term used to define wellness of the mind, body & spirit. It is fascinating to discover that what we see as a new trend in the west has been practiced for centuries in Thailand as part of their “ancient wisdom “.

Traditional Thai massage, Thai herbal steam bath & Luk Pra Kop Hot Compress massage treatments which make up the total“ Thai Spa Destinations “ , which can be enjoyed and relaxed at Veqish Spa , Malaysia .

Please click here to download video of Luk Pra Kup (Thai Herbal Compress Treatment)

Veqish Spa ~ A place where health and well-being create for you a sense of equilibrium.

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