Thai Herbal Heat Poultice

Heat compresses always relieves muscle pains and aches....wont you agree? Heat has always been used traditionally in herbal infused treatments to help the body absorb the goodness of herbal remedies. If you have ever tried a hot stone massage, you will know how the warm sensation helps to relax and soothe body and soul leaving you relaxed and renewed.









The Thai Herbal Heat Poultice is especially good post partum as it helps in slimming...a word of caution...please...it is not suitable for pregnant ladies !

The Herbal Poultice treatment utilizes warmed muslin poultices of Thai and Chinese herbs that are steamed and applied directly to the body in a kneading action. This traditional treatment has been practiced to soothe muscle tension and stiffness on the key areas. Heat and herbs are absorbed by the body to help to reduce aches and pains, increase lymphatic drainage and condition the skin. In addition to ginger, lemongrass, camphor and other indigenous organic Thai herbs, the poultice contains antioxidants turmeric, a natural skin softener, and tamarind, which hydrates and regenerates skin cells. This herbal heat poultice is used in well reknowned spas in Thailand.

You can actually make this yourself at home. Here is a recipe from The Oriental Spa, Bangkok

Prai (thai herb)
Tumeric
Lemon grass
Kaffir Lime
Camphor

The above ingredients are tied into a ball using muslin. It is then put into a steamer and heated for 10-15 minutes. It can be left steaming until needed at least 5 minutes. The poultice is then placed anywhere on the body. Leave the poultice at the designated area for about 30 seconds to one minute at a time. The poultice is rolled or kneaded over the designated area to further transfer the heat

Do not use on the face or genital areas and because of the tumeric, temporary yellow skin staining will occur.

Use this treatment on a regular basis and it will aid in slimming, leaving you totally relaxed and with beautiful skin.

eastern slimming recipe

The Chinese tradition of engaging a "confinement lady" to take care of new mums after she has given birth is still practised today, although not as widely as it used to be. This is because it is not as easy to find a good confinement lady these days. They are also pricey.... with some charging over 3K a month.

The confinement lady is engaged for a period of one month. And during that time she will take over all the duties of the new mum. She will bathe the baby, feed, change and put the baby to sleep including taking over midnight feeds. She will also prepare
nutritious meals for the mum so that she can regain her strength after childbirth.....after all childbirth does take a toll on the mother's body!

The food prepared is in accordance to the yin yang beliefs that the Chinese practise. That is...Heating Yang Foods that includes most spices. Most commonly used spices are ginger, peppercorns, sesame seed oil and lemongrass....and Cooling Yin Foods...such as banana, watermelon and coconut...

After childbirth Heating Yang Food is prepared for the mum using lots of ginger. Common dishes prepared include pig trotters in vinegar and ginger and chicken in Chinese wine and ginger...These are believed to help the mother retain her internal body temperature and get rid of "wind" and a bloated stomach

A warm bath prepared by boiling lemongrass in water is also prepared for the mum each morning.

I have always enjoyed these special dishes as ginger is my favourite spice! Besides i have always sufferred from a bloated stomach and the ginger, peppercorns and lemongrass always soothes and gets rid of the bloated ness. Bathing in a warm lemongrass infused bath i find is very relaxing...it seems to clear my nasal passage as well.

Here are two recipes using ginger that you can try at home to spice up your day!

Ginger Tea
serves 4

4 cups water
2 normal teabags
1 cup sliced ginger
Brown sugar to taste (if you dont have brown white will do)

Method
1. Boil the ginger in 4 cups of water for about 5-8 minutes or until fragrant. The longer you boil the spicier your tea.

2. Add tea and boil for a further 5 minutes or so until the tea is steeped into the ginger mixture

3. Add sugar to taste and serve.

This next drink recipe using ginger will help in slimming !

Slimming Ginger Drink

1/3" sliced fresh ginger root
2 sticks celery
1/2 a grapefruit
1/2 cucumber
1/4 radish
1 slice fresh pineapple

Put all ingredients in a juicer and juice it.

Ginger increases metabolic rate. Celery, pineapple and cucumber are diuretic. Grapefruit helps in weight loss, Radish contains iodine which helps increase metabolism

Wu Long Tea

Did you know that....a rich tea called Wu-Long,melts away bodyfat; boost energy; and even clarify skin, giving your face a clear, radiant glow.

Hollywood actress, Shay Brown swears by it!

Eastern or 'alternative' medicines, such as tea, Tai Chi, meditation, yoga and certain herbal remedies, are gaining widespread acceptance in America, in large part because they work," says David J. Kennedy, the long-time Editor-in-Chief of Muscle Media magazine

Check out the benefits Try it out and let me know if it works for you!

Eastern Slimming Secrets

If you have ever tried to lose weight and been on all types of drugs and diets like me, then you will understand why i finally turned to alternative methods.

I thought to myself, look at all those mothers with their FLAT stomachs, TAUT asses (pardon the language) and PERKY breasts....how did they do it? HOW did they manage to get back into shape so quickly? ...and their skin glowed and some were already pass 40, 50 even and ageing gracefully with clear skin....

I am already pass 40 and have a teenage son....and once you pass 40 those FATS they just hang around....even though i only eat one meal a day.....and on some days i will have two meals a day....breakfast and a light lunch, I have gained fats around my waist that my friends once commented I had no waist..I was a tree trunk!

And when i look at these ladies with their flat tummies...i wondered if i will ever see my waist again. I have spent thousands on exercise programmes, slimming teas, going on juice diet but I put back the fats faster than i loose it.

I then started talking to these mums who have managed to stay slim and found that they have been using methods as old as time. That's right.....the good old fashion remedies that can be made in your kitchen.