Herbal Steam Therapy
The sauna or steam bath plays an important part in traditional in Oriental medicine. It is well known that saunas promote general health, relaxation, cleansing of the skin, and detoxification by encouraging release through the sweat pores. In Chinese, Japanese and Thai traditions, specific therapeutic herbs(see below) are added to the sauna in order to enhance these effects, and in order to treat many conditions.
Herbal Steam Packet for head colds, headaches, common colds, sore throats.
Herbal saunas are used in treatment of respiratory diseases and infections, circulatory problems, skin disease, eye problems, sore muscles, colds, headaches, stress, and anxiety, among other ailments. Saunas are used daily by Thai mothers in the weeks after giving birth, and there are herbs that are specifically used for this purpose.
A regular herbal sauna is also considered to promote longevity.
Many traditional medicine providers in Thailand from hospitals to individual massage practitioners, have a sauna or steam bath which is either used after massage or on its own. These saunas do not necessarily have to be of the cedar paneled variety we know in the West.
Some primitive homemade saunas just consist of hanging plastic sheets used for painting and a electric vegetable steamer placed under a small wooden chair.
A blend of herbs for your particular ailment is then placed in the steamer and in about 10-15 minutes the steam starts and works fast for colds, sinus infections, headaches and muscular discomfort. These herbs can be reused from 5 to 7 times depending on how long you steam them.
These herbs can also be placed in a pot with boiling water and with the heat lowered one can carefully lean over the pot or steamer with a towel over one’s head is an ideal way to catch the aromatic vapors, although as mentioned one must be careful to avoid being burnt by the hot steam or irritating the eye. When finished let the herbs cool down and place in the refrigerator. You can generally do this 5-7 times then discard the herbs.
Herbal Steam Therapy Cold and Flu Packets Available For Purchase Below
Whatever type of inhalation therapy you are using, herbs can enhance your experience greatly. These herbs can be of any of the traditional classifications, although those of the aromatic taste naturally lend themselves to steam inhalation. You will be able to add anywhere from one to five ounces of most herbs to the steamer or pot, but you may have to experiment with some herbs to get the perfect amount. A few herbs are extremely potent, and should be used sparingly. (For example, only a half-teaspoon of camphor is necessary for a strong effect.)
When using any type of sauna or steam bath, it is useful to remember that some herbs, such as ginger and other rhizomes, must be heated for 10–15 minutes in order to release their therapeutic benefits, while more delicate herbs, such as most flowers, are damaged by heat and are best used for no longer than 2–3 minutes.
One word of caution: saunas should not be used during pregnancy or by those who are suffering from fever, hypertension, or heart disease, without consulting a doctor. Even if perfectly healthy, no one should use the sauna or steam bath for much longer than 10–15 minutes at a stretch, take a break for a minute or two then start again.
There is a very real possibility of overheating your steamer if left on for to long, and no matter how beneficial these herbs are, nausea, headache, irritated throat, and dizziness can occur from overexposure to vapors.
It is recommended to take breaks every 10–15 minutes, and to stop immediately if you experience any discomfort.
Herbal Compresses
Herbal compresses are very effective and is frequently used in Tui Na massage as well as Thai massage in conjunction with their traditional massage. Herbal compresses come in two varieties, hot and cold. While cold compresses are first-aid treatments, hot compresses are frequently used to treat chronic disease and that is what we will discuss
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, hot temperatures increase energy flow, improve circulation, relax muscles, and stimulate nerves.
Applied to joints and muscles, hot compresses can soothe soreness and increase flexibility. Applied to the abdominal region, they tonify and energize internal organs, and they are used in treatment of many internal diseases.
What Is a Herbal Compress?
Herbal compresses are the application of a folded flannel soaked in hot water together with a special blend of herbs that have been steeped. This is then placed on the injured or sore area and covered with a towel allowing the herbs and heat to be slowly released into the desired area. This is generally used for acute Wind-Cold invasions, swelling, lower back pain and to release the Exterior.
It is an extremely easy process to perform and brings rapid relief. It is great in an emergency as very simple herbs can be used, such as ginger, cinnamon bark, mugwort, and spring onion.
Lower Back Chinese Herbal Compress Recipe
One specific compress for lower back problems is called:
Te Xiao Yao Re Fu
It consists of the following:
Dang gui 30 g Radix angelicae sinensis
Chen xiang 30 g Aquilaria agallocha
Fang ji 30 g Stephaniae radix
Kuan jing teng 30 g Ramulus tinospora sinensis
Gui zhi 30 g Cinnamomi cassiae ramulus
Lu lu tong 30 g Liquidambaris fructus
Ji xue teng 30 g Spatholobi caulis et radix
You song jie 30 g Lignum pini nodi
Shen jin cao 30 g Herba Lycopodii
Wei ling xian 30 g Clematidis radix
Gan jiang 30 g Zingiberis rhizoma
Sang zhi 30 g Mori ramulus
Place 30 g of each herb in water and soak for 30 minutes.
Bring to the boil. Once boiling, simmer for 20–30
minutes, then soak your flannel or whatever material you are using for the compress in the liquid, leave for about 60 seconds.
Using tongs remove remove the flannel and let it drain, fold the flannel once or twice and place over the affected part of the lumbar area.The decoction can be used for 1 week, or if not
being used, it can be refrigerated or frozen after it has cooled down to room temperature.
This formula contains many of the same herbs used in authentic Iron Palm liniments because of its incredible effectiveness with pain and healing tendons, muscles and connective tissue.
Both of the above techniques really work and should included in your arsenal if you practice Oriental Medicine.