Much has been written about the holistic healing traditions of China and India but those of Thailand remain unknown to most people.
Thai traditional medicine (TTM) is a holistic method of healing based on the four pillars of diet, herbs, bodywork (massage) and meditation.
First, let's look at diet. When you first visit a traditional Thai practitioner, the first thing he'll ask about is your diet. Your first prescription will probably be a change in what you eat. The Thai system is loosely based on the Indian ayurveda in which foods are classified into elements. Any imbalance results in disease which can be cured by dietary adjustments.
The second pillar is herbal treatment. Actually, the use of herbal remedies is one of last resort. Only if dietary treatment proved ineffective does the practitioner recommend herbs. The Thai herbal system classifies herbs into various tastes of which there are ten, ranging from astringent to aromatic.
Traditional Thai massage (TTM) is considered not so much body work as energy work. The concept is that energy lines run through our bodies similar to the meridians of acupuncture. TTM works to free up these channels and promote harmony.
Finally, the Thai system believes in a healthy mind in a healthy body via visualisation and meditation. In Thailand, the major form of meditation is known as vipassana, a form of insight meditation. It can be done sitting, standing or walking and in its simplest form revolves around concentration on the breath.
Thai traditional medicine (TTM) is a holistic method of healing based on the four pillars of diet, herbs, bodywork (massage) and meditation.
First, let's look at diet. When you first visit a traditional Thai practitioner, the first thing he'll ask about is your diet. Your first prescription will probably be a change in what you eat. The Thai system is loosely based on the Indian ayurveda in which foods are classified into elements. Any imbalance results in disease which can be cured by dietary adjustments.
The second pillar is herbal treatment. Actually, the use of herbal remedies is one of last resort. Only if dietary treatment proved ineffective does the practitioner recommend herbs. The Thai herbal system classifies herbs into various tastes of which there are ten, ranging from astringent to aromatic.
Traditional Thai massage (TTM) is considered not so much body work as energy work. The concept is that energy lines run through our bodies similar to the meridians of acupuncture. TTM works to free up these channels and promote harmony.
Finally, the Thai system believes in a healthy mind in a healthy body via visualisation and meditation. In Thailand, the major form of meditation is known as vipassana, a form of insight meditation. It can be done sitting, standing or walking and in its simplest form revolves around concentration on the breath.