Bundles of healing

The wellness industry is flourishing with new and interesting massage techniques. Potli massage, an age-old technique, has gained mileage only in the recent years. By Supriya Aggarwal

Small round balls of muslin cloth filled with medicinal herbs rolling on your body not only relax your muscles but also heal your body for illnesses and pain. It is an age-old technique that causes tremendous relief from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, frozen shoulders and spondylitis.

Practised widely in the south-east Asia, especially in Thailand, since the 14th century, the Potli massage is a natural healing therapy. In India, it is also known as massage as per Ayurveda. The therapist would choose the herbs and essential oil as per your requirement and then dip the potli in hot oil and then tap it on the joints. This will be followed by rubbing the potli up and down the entire length of the body. The herbs in the potli, the hot herbal oils, the tapping and rubbing actions are all meant to improve circulation, relieve pain, improve mobility, reduce stiffness and tone the skin.

Navarakizhi – a perspiration-triggering body scrub using medicated herbal rice – to get rid of toxins and water retention is one of the favoured potli therapies. This therapy uses special rice cooked in a decoction of Bala herb and milk. The fomentation and soothing effect of this therapy brings you a sense of calm and bliss at the same time.
Potli massage not only heals your body but the aroma of the herbs and oils calms your brain. To know what pure tranquility is; one must try this therapy. A word of caution, always talk to therapist about your allergies before the therapy and also tell him/her if you would want the potlis at a particular temperature. No one wants to feel like burning while looking for relaxation.

“Potli massage is gaining popularity as it has therapeutic effects on the body. With the erratic schedules and poor lifestyle, back pain has become an epidemic. The herbs in the potli relieves pain, reduces inflammation, improves flexibility and blood circulation and rejuvenates the body.”