What is an Herbal Ball Session?

Thai herbal compresses, used for centuries in Traditional Thai massage therapy, are an excellent way to blend heat therapy, herbal therapy, aromatherapy, and massage therapy all into one. 

What is an Herbal Ball?

Traditional Thai Herbal Balls are made of muslin cloth, containing fresh herbs explicitly found in Southeast Asia. Sometimes, the ingredients for this herbal ball may differ in different parts of the world, based on availability. 

What Should I Expect During a Session?

Thai herbal compresses, used either hot or cold, depending on the ailments to treat. The compresses are rolled or gently pressed on affected areas or placed on one spot on the body. The massage is usually similar to other acupressure massage techniques. Depending on complaints, the session uses either light or firm pressure. The massage therapist may also use aromatic oils that are beneficial.

Herbal balls are steamed or chilled, so the healing and soothing properties of the herbs are intensified. This herbal ball presses oil onto the body or compresses over a thin layer of cotton – to avoid staining of the skin.

What are the Benefits of an Herbal Ball Session?

While the general benefits of herbal ball massage sessions are much like those of any other massage, the use of particular herbs provides some specific benefits. As the herbal ball is heated or chilled before the session, it helps radiate temperature through the body. The heat helps dilate the blood vessels in the body, increasing the amount of blood and oxygen circulation. As more oxygen is made available to organs, they become more productive. The coolness stimulates muscles as well as helps reduce inflammation, constrict blood vessels, and speed digestion.

The herbal ball session offers various health benefits. In essence, it provokes deep relaxation, alleviates stress and fatigue, heightens emotional awareness, promotes circulation of blood and lymph, stimulates the internal organs, improves physical well-being, assists structural alignment and postural integrity of the body. Hot compresses are ideal for mitigating pain, stiff, sore or pulled muscles and ligaments, chronic backaches, arthritis, skin conditions, migraines, and chronic stress or anxiety. The blend of traditional herbs used in these compresses has a relaxing and invigorating effect on the body and mind, soothing sore and overworked muscles while giving the body’s energy a considerable boost.

What Ingredients does Malee Massage use for Herbal Balls?

Malee Massage makes each herbal ball specifically for each session, based on desires and ailments.

Malee Massage uses fresh ginger in place of the traditional Thai herb, Plai. Ginger is a remarkably beneficial herb for managing several digestive disorders, allergies, has antibacterial qualities, and is used to improve the quality of the skin. I am using lemongrass as an immunity-booster, kaffir lime for citrus-scented fragrant properties. Those who are suffering from recovering from the common cold or flu, both lemongrass and kaffir lime, can work wonders. The leaves and bark of acacia (shikakai), also frequently used in the herbal mix, are great for improving the texture and firmness of the skin. Adding turmeric helps heal skin lesions or bacterial infections. It also helps keep the skin looking fairer and younger. Herbal balls address sprains, bruises, sore muscles, cleanse and heal the skin by promoting cell growth, and aid upper respiratory ailments such as bronchitis, asthma, and the common cold. 

The herbal qualities at Malee Massage are carefully selected so that they blend well together and form a therapeutic mix that will benefit the specific ailments and complaints of the recipient. 

Malee Massage also provides a storage capsule for the compress for the recipient to take the herbal ball home. Each compress can be used up to five times in 12 weeks during an at-home self-care routine.

Malee massage uses fresh, local, and organic ingredients when available.

*Compresses are steamed or frozen and usually applied directly to the skin, do not hesitate to ask the provider to adjust the temperature if you find them too hot or cold.