Try durian, moisturize your skin with coconut oil, visit a Buddhist temple and bring home a jar of balm - this is an incomplete MUSTHAVE list of Thailand.
Ointments that cure almost everything, from a sore throat to sprains, are sold at every turn in Thailand and cost pennies.
Thai balms are:
- green
- yellow
- red
- blue
- brindle
- black
- white.
Thai balms and ointments
The smell is almost the same for all, but the beneficial properties of each ointment are different. Although they are easy to distinguish by color and packaging, their descriptions are often confused.
The very first classification of balms: warming and cooling. The first definitely includes red and yellow, the second - blue and white. Green and tiger balm - both warm and cool. Is this mysticism? No, this is Thailand.
Green balm
One of the two most popular balms. Available in packages of different sizes. Most often you can find jars with the image of a man (tourists dubbed it “balm with a man”).
For some reason, “balm with a man” is especially in demand, although the essence does not change depending on the type of jar. The average cost in Moscow is just under 700 rubles per 50 grams.
Applicable for:
- insect bites
- burns
- muscle spasms
- chondrosis
- sprains
- has an analgesic effect.
Ingredients: Vaseline 45%, tincture of the Barleria lupulina plant 24%, paraffin 15%, menthol 8%, borneol 5%, camphor 3%.
Snake balm from Thailand Snake Thai balm Banna 50 gr.
Royal Balm from Thailand Cobra Snake contains more than 100 useful components, Thai herbs and wild plants, extracts from snake bones and skin. The balm is made according to a traditional recipe from a temple in northern Thailand. The detailed recipe for the balm is kept secret.
Therapeutic black balm from the Banna snake is intended for the treatment of arthrosis, polyarthritis, rheumatism, and radiculitis.
The balm contains poison, bones and snake skin (in small quantities) with the addition of medicinal Thai herbs and coconut oil.
The high effectiveness of Thai balms is determined by the active substances that are carried by the blood throughout the body and reach every organ.
The balm is used only externally. It must be applied in a thin layer to the desired area and rubbed a little.
Thai Balm Banna based on cobra venom 50 gr.
Snake balm from Thailand Banna Snake Thai Balm includes components of the skin, bone tissue and internal fat of the King Cobra with the addition of poison. Contains more than a hundred different medicinal herbs and coconut oil. Instantly penetrates the body tissues, has a local analgesic, anti-inflammatory and decongestant effect. Accelerates bone healing during fractures. Treats bruises, sprains, dislocations, arthritis, arthrosis, osteochondrosis, rheumatism, radiculitis. Helps with joint inflammation, strengthens bones in osteoporosis. Stops enlargement of joints due to gout. Improves blood circulation, used to treat varicose veins and heel spurs. Effective against insect bites.
Tiger balm
The exotic Tiger balm is breathing into the back of the green “balm with a man’s” head. Packaged in beautiful jars with the image of a tiger, 20 - 30 grams each.
There are two types: red (amber in color) and white. Tiger balm is more expensive than traditional yellow, green, blue and red balms; the cost of a small package in Russia is 350 - 500 rubles.
Applicable for:
- insect bites
- chondrosis
- muscle pain
- runny nose
- numbness, neuralgia
- joint diseases
- sore throat (externally!).
Ingredients: Camphor (25%), menthol (10%), cajuput oil (7%), Chinese cinnamon oil (5%), clove oil (5%), dementholized mint oil (6%).
Yellow balm
Warming and inexpensive, yellow Thai balm is used by athletes before training to prepare their muscles. The balm can be rubbed into the temporal areas to relieve headaches; it can be used to warm up the nose and throat during a cold (externally!).
By increasing blood flow, it helps speed up muscle regeneration. The price in Russia is about 350 rubles per 50 grams.
Applicable for:
- massage
- headache
- cold
- chondrosis.
Red balm
The hottest balm, bright red in color, warms up the muscles and skin well. Therefore, it is used where heat is needed to relieve pain and cold symptoms.
Like other balms, it helps in the treatment and prevention of colds, and is used for rubbing muscles. You can buy a fifty-gram jar in our country for 250 rubles.
Applicable for:
- massage
- headache
- abdominal pain, muscle spasms
- cold
- chondrosis.
Ingredients: Ginger oil (turmeric oil, play oil) 46%, menthol 28%, paraffin 16%, petroleum jelly 12%, borneol 4%, camphor 4%.
Indications for use
- Swelling of the feet, fatigue, discomfort of the lower extremities.
- Pathologies of joints and muscles, accompanied by discomfort and inflammation.
- Injuries of any nature.
- Damage to tendons, ligaments, bone tissue - fractures, cracks, hernias.
- Respiratory diseases - pneumonia.
- Colds. Sore throat, bronchitis, stuffy ears, headache.
- Insect bites. The ointment is used to repel insects and also eliminate the consequences of bites.
- Fungal diseases, dermatitis
- Neuralgia.
Blue balm
The most cooling balm, thanks to the high menthol content in the composition. It is not particularly popular among tourists, since Russian people are more accustomed to saving themselves from bruises and heat strokes with wet towels and the contents of the freezer. Costs 750 for 50 grams.
Applicable for:
- varicose veins (do not rub into open wounds!)
- runny nose
- swelling
- insect bites
- bruises and hematomas.
Ingredients: Clove oil 50%, menthol 16%, clitoris trifoliate 10%, petroleum jelly 10%, borneol 8%, camphor 6%.
From the history of the use of snake venom
The ancient Egyptians worshiped snakes for thousands of years. They also deified poisonous insects. More than ten divine beings of the ancient Egyptian pantheon are creatures with the heads of snakes. Of course, many people know about the treachery of the Egyptian queen Cleopatra, who showed remarkable interest in the venoms of various snakes. Cleopatra could be called a real ancient toxicologist. She became famous for choosing criminals and slaves as “guinea pigs” for testing poisonous mixtures.
It was not only the inhabitants of ancient Egypt who showed interest in snake venom. It was studied by East Asian and Indian doctors. At one time, Ancient India was one of the main countries where people seriously studied herbs and poisons. As far as the use of snake venom in medical practice is concerned, Hindu communities should be given credit for this. It is right to call them pioneers in the field of toxicology.
One of the popular snake venoms was, of course, the venom obtained from the cobra. Ancient doctors used it as part of dry mixtures, prescribing it for patients suffering from fever, lung diseases and dropsy.
Black balm
Black balm is called royal. In addition to camphor, eucalyptus and other natural ingredients that balms are rich in, it contains black sesame oil.
Strong and effective, it is used to relieve muscle pain. It costs more than regular “colored” balms - 650 rubles per 50 grams.
Attention! The name “Black” is also used in other balms (for example, with cobra or scorpion venom), but these are different balms.
Applicable for:
- muscle pain
- chondrosis
- bruises and hematomas
- swelling
- insect bites
- arthritis and gout.
Ingredients: Beeswax, camphor, 108 healing Thai roots and herbs, including black galangal oil, sesame oil, wintergreen essential oil.
Compound
The plant extracts included in the black balm saturate with vitamins and valuable microelements, block the development of pathogenic bacteria, and fight irritations and allergic reactions.
- Borneol. Has pronounced antiseptic properties.
- Lanolin. Softens, moisturizes.
- Clove oil. It has a pronounced analgesic and antispasmodic effect.
- Mint, ginger. They tone and have a pronounced antiseptic effect.
- Thai cobra venom. It contains orphiotoxin. It has a pronounced analgesic effect in Binturong balm, inhibits the manifestation of inflammatory processes, improves blood circulation, fights spasms, and heals tissue.
White balm
White balm is the most gentle of all. It has a gentle effect on muscles and joints, thanks to which it can be used by children and pregnant women (after consulting a doctor). Cost in Russia: 300 rubles.
Applicable for:
- muscle spasms
- neuralgia
- insomnia
- insect bites
- runny nose.
Ingredients: contains eucalyptus oil, whale oil, clove extract, camphor, mint and more than a hundred other herbal ingredients.
Yaton Pid (YA TON PID)
A liquid preparation containing an extract of Thai plants for the treatment of herpes, boils and other skin inflammations. Known for its speed.
Directions for use: Treat the affected area with liquid (on a cotton swab) 3-4 times a day. There may be a slight tingling sensation at the application site.
Ingredients: Clinacanthus Nutans. More than 108 different herbs and plants growing in ecologically clean areas in the north of Thailand, in the Kanchanaburi province.
Thai balms mainly contain eucalyptus and mint oils, menthol and camphor and other plant substances (up to 150 items) in different proportions.
In addition to this, the yellow balm is made on the basis of turmeric, and the black one - as already mentioned - on the basis of black sesame oil. The colors of blue, green and red balms are due to the presence of dyes.
Balms will not save you from chronic bronchitis and will not cure osteochondrosis. But in combination with medications and treatment prescribed by the doctor, they can speed up the recovery process.
Thai balms are perfect for preventing colds, warming up muscles during massage and cooling the skin during bruises and hematomas, as long as you don’t mix up the jars.
They will help relieve nervous tension and soothe pain, but will not cure you of migraines and varicose veins. Balms are not medicines, and their use will not replace traditional medicine.
Snake venom in medicines
An interesting fact: specialists managed to create medicines containing snake venom only in the last century, and all similar attempts by ancient physicians were never successful. The drug captopril (or enalapril), which physicians and cardiologists often prescribe to lower blood pressure, consists of a peptide and the venom of a snake native to South America. It is called jararaka. Anticoagulants that prevent blood clots (such as tirofiban and eptifibatide) also contain snake toxins.
Venom is obtained from snakes through actual “milking.” A specialist massages the snake's venom glands. There are special rooms for the extraction of toxins - serpentariums. Collection of toxins is carried out infrequently: as a rule, once every two to three weeks. Small snakes give from 20 to 40 g of toxin, large ones - from 50 to 300 mg at a time. After collection, toxins must be thoroughly purified and crystallized, and only then can they be stored in specially designated containers for many years.
Proper application and use of Thai ointments
The biggest mistake when using ointments from Thailand is using a large amount of balm. It is very economical and concentrated, so take about 1-2 grams of ointment at a time and rub it into the sore spot.
After applying the ointment and rubbing for 3-5 minutes, try not to move too much, let the ointment absorb into the skin.
Ointments are used externally only! Do not take inside! When rubbing your nose, make sure that the ointment does not get into the mucous membrane and eyes. In case of contact, rinse with plenty of water.
Real review about the use of Thai ointments and balms
I tried to find real reviews on the Internet about the use of ointments from Thailand and did not find anything useful. Some of them are written under the product description in online stores and there is little trust in them.
Some are on sites like “Otzovik”, where they are written for money. Therefore, I decided that a review from a blogger will help you decide whether to use the balms on yourself.
Back in 2013, I brought balms and ointments from Thailand as a gift to my grandfather. He has had pain in his knee for more than 20 years (unfortunate fall) and recently it has become very difficult for him to walk.
Grandfather used green, yellow, black balm (from cobra venom). There was also a red balm and a blue one (for varicose veins). Of all these ointments, the yellow and green balm gave the greatest effect.
In the morning, grandfather rubs his knee with a small amount of ointment and after half an hour he can already walk without a crutch. Before this, his leg had trouble bending at the knee and there was constant pain (his leg would give way). My grandfather has been using yellow balm for more than 4 years and cannot get enough of it.
So if you have problems with joints, chondrosis, muscle pain, I definitely recommend using yellow balm from Thailand .
There are different reviews of Thai balms on the Internet. Some people dote on them, while others treat them with noticeable skepticism. They definitely have an effect. But to feel it, you need to consider the following points:
- quality and guarantees of the seller, place of purchase
- correct use
- amount of product applied
- scale of the disease.
Remember: if you are not careful, you can harm your body. Here are a few rules to follow.
- Do not rub the balm if you want to get rid of varicose veins. It can be applied with light movements in the absence of contraindications from a doctor.
- Do not confuse warming and cooling ointments; it is better not to use anything than to apply the wrong one by mistake.
- If there is no effect, don’t try too hard. Europeans who are not accustomed to these aromas can easily feel sick. There is no need to apply all the balm if a small amount does not help.
- The healing properties of balms should be understood as improving blood circulation, as a result of which oxygen is delivered more quickly to the cells and the body regenerates faster. Never apply balms to open wounds.
What is snake venom?
Snakes secrete it when they hunt or protect themselves from attacks by other living creatures. They have special glands to produce poison. They are located behind the snake's eyes. When attacked and bitten, the muscle mass, which is located next to the gland containing the poison, begins to rapidly contract. As a result, poison is released from the gland. Then it flows down the canals of the snake’s teeth and is discharged outward.
Where to buy Thai balm
In the country of a thousand smiles, jars of fragrant ointments cost pennies - about 50 baht apiece. Of course, prices in well-advertised pharmacies like Parinda or Erawaddy, where enterprising guides take tourists on excursions, are several times higher.
The cheapest place to buy balms is at night markets, but there is no confidence in the quality and efficiency of the purchased product. It is best to purchase Thai balm at a pharmacy, the most common one where locals buy medicine, or at one of the 7-Eleven or Family Market supermarkets.
At least here everything is sold officially, the accompanying documents and permits are present and storage conditions are not violated.
In Russia, Thai balms are more expensive - from 150 to 700 rubles, depending on the type and volume. Wholesale buyers in Thailand can save a lot. Often sellers at the market offer to buy 3 balms for 100 baht or 5 for 200 and so on.
If you are traveling to Thailand and want to inexpensively but pleasantly surprise your loved ones with something exclusive, a jar of Thai balm will definitely please them more than refrigerator magnets.
