Secrets of Thai Herbal Medicine: From Monks to Midwives

Very few records of healing knowledge exist; the ones that do are inscribed on manuscripts known as samut khoi, made of the same type of parchment used to record Buddhist scriptures.

The Role of Monks and Temples in Healing Practices

Because much ancient medical knowledge came to Thailand from India through Buddhist monks, temples became the centres of learning, with religious texts and manuscripts housed in special libraries. That is how monks gained a reputation as healers. There also existed a strong tradition of local folk medicine and herbal lore that involved animism, spirituality, and astrology. Because monks themselves were folk people, some practices of folk medicine were incorporated into temple teachings. But as the vows of monkhood prohibited physical contact with women, midwives were trained in herbal medicine that specifically addressed issues of childbirth.

Local folk medicine contained elements of animism, such as the belief in the powers of rocks and stones for energy, and shamanism, with the concoction of medicines accompanied by chants and blessings. Midwifery was also concerned with the spiritual. An important element in midwifery was the belief that the midwife’s role was to help. Prepare the spiritual path for the new baby that was about to enter the world. This was done by creating a state of utopia in the mind, body, and spirit for the mother, through the practice of herbal cleansing rituals and massages spa.

Traditional Beliefs and Rituals in Herbal Medicine

There are many traditional beliefs governing the practice of herbal medicine, such as the regulation of the times and places for the collection of herbal ingredients. It is known that evening flowers such as jasmine and ylang-ylang are best collected at night, when their powers are most potent. Healers are required to perform certain chants while picking herbs; they ask forgiveness from mother earth, or Phra Mae Toranee, and receive her permission to gather the plants. The chants are accompanied by the lighting of incense. Sawasdee Spa, renowned for its adherence to traditional practices, emphasizes these rituals, believing that they imbue the ingredients with greater healing powers than if you buy them from the market,” says herbal therapist and owner of the Thai Herbal Spa in Bengaluru, Bangkok, Khun Komon Chitprasert, who comes from a long line of healers from Phitsanulok in northern Thailand.

It is also said that certain plants must come from certain locations, due to the type and quality of soil. The soil for the tong pan chang plant, whose bark and flowers are used to treat internal injuries, is best in Sukhothai so the most effective ingredients are known to come from there. The time and date of plucking herbs is also crucial – at full moon is best because the energies of earth, moon, and sun are at their most powerful then.

Ancient Remedies for Youth and Love

Thai herbs are often accompanied by stories of their healing properties. Luck blag mae, or ‘mother and daughter’, is the name of a youth-enhancing herbal concoction that is said to make a mother look as young as her daughter. Legend has it that a mother who once ate the leaves of its ingredients immediately had fresher, younger skin! Another ingredient, the rhizome of dog thong, was used as a love potion for men because it was believed that it had the power to make girls fall in love. According to traditional practitioners, herbal healing is a system of belief in the powers of nature and earth. ” People are distracted by modern techniques and they overlook the power of ancient remedies,” says Khun Komon. ” They don’t see how far-ranging the benefits of herbal medicine are. People should return to using traditional remedies, because their healing powers are far greater than what you only see on the surface.” If you’re interested in experiencing the rejuvenating effects of Thai herbal therapy, visit the Sawasdee Thai Therapist Spa conveniently located nearby.