Foraging and Medicinal Herbal Baths
Not only are the women from this tribe experts in embroidery techniques, they are also mavens when it comes to foraging herbs and using them for health and wellness.
Every culture has its philosophy when it comes to harnessing the essence of plants. From culinary uses to medicinal healing, botanicals are powerful, and the benefits we derive from herbs are pure and holistic.
The people of Sa Pa live in the midst of mountains. Through the harsh climates and difficulties encountered in their natural environment, they have learned to live with and leverage on the natural bounty of their homeland. Plants play a big part in the lives of the Sa Pa natives. From weaving fabrics using plant fibres to extracting dyes from herbs to colour their fabrics, each tribe has mastered age-old textile traditions and passed on the essential knowledge where their lives and existence are entwined with plants.
The Red Dao tribe is one of the most prominent ethnic communities in Sa Pa. Not only are the women from this tribe experts in embroidery techniques, they are also mavens when it comes to foraging herbs and using them for health and wellness.
The unique concoction of herbal baths created by the Red Dao tribe has long been associated with their cultural identity, and is known far and wide for its therapeutic value. The secrets of its preparation has been passed down for over a thousand generations, revealing the tribe’s resourcefulness and ancient wisdom.
The herbs used for the herbal bath include:
Honeysuckle, a herb that can relieve abdominal pain resulting from digestive disorders as well as ease headaches. Starfruit, a cooling agent that provides relief against fever and can also be used to treat skin disorder. Fennel, an aromatic herb that is brilliant for using to treat respiratory tract infections. Fig leaf, useful for treating skin conditions like eczema, vitiligo and psoriasis, as well as an effective laxative for constipation. Camphor, which not only can alleviate skin disorders, but also helps to induce sleep, relieve pain, ease swelling, and is a powerful treatment for nail fungus.
Befitting of the iconic red garments worn by the Red Dao tribe, this herbal brew takes on a characteristic red hue when boiled for a specific length of time, while emitting a romantically pleasant smell. It possesses curative and medicinal effects, and is best used in baths, where the body can experience relief and amelioration as quickly as within thirty minutes.
Delicate care and attention to details are required in the preparation of this herbal bath. The herbs, which are foraged from the forest and mountain, have to be washed thoroughly in clean water to remove any dirt. Then they are boiled and slowly simmered in a cauldron over charcoal fire for three hours, at a specific temperature.
The extract from these herbs are then poured into an exclusive bathtub filled with water. The tub is usually crafted from pemou wood taken from the Fokienia tree, an indigenous species in northern Vietnam. As hot water is mixed thoroughly with the herbal extract in the tub, the heat and moisture will draw out the essential oil from the pemou wood, releasing a pleasing fragrance that will perfume the skin of the bather.
This restorative herbal bath is known to relieve rheumatism and joint pain. It also can reduce the negative effects of alcohol in one’s body. For people with skin diseases like ulcer and acne, this soothing bath will provide relief and cure. Even if you do not have skin issues, the beautifying properties of the herbal bath will give the skin a radiant glow. The bath can also improve one’s digestive system and for the Red Dao women, they find this bath particularly beneficial for those who have gone through the rigorous process of childbirth. The herbs are great for restoring health and boosting blood circulation.
Imagine a warm bath exuding an alluring scent calling out to you after a long day of work, apart from its healing properties, this herbal bath is one of the best ways to relax one’s body, mind and spirit. Tempting as it might seem, it is not recommended to drink the herbal bath. A thirty-minute soak is sufficient for the herbs to work its magic and provide rejuvenation for the body.
The potential of botanicals are far-reaching. In this modern age where stress is an inevitable part of one’s life, the search for wellness transports us back in time, as we look towards nature and ancient healing for a holistic way to restore health. During our Sa Pa Hill Tribes Tour, our objective is to study traditional textile techniques and learn from the local artists and craftspeople, yet through this process, we will also get to learn about a way of life that is built upon wisdom passed down through generations.
If you are interested to know more about Sa Pa, interact with the local communities and give the Red Dao herbal bath a try, you can sign up for our retreat here!