A faint smell of galangal wafts in the air, followed by the subtle aroma of turmeric. Strangely, I’m not in a kitchen but face down on a massage bed at the Rosewood Phnom Penh’s Sense Spa, eagerly anticipating what’s going to happen next.
I hear the therapist’s footsteps then feel the rounded, deliciously warm herbal poultice on my back – a sensation similar to that of a hot stone massage but with a much softer touch. The heat slowly but surely unlocks the knots and relieves the tension in my shoulders. The intoxicating smell of the expertly picked Khmer herbs adds a different dimension and lulls me into relaxation even more.
In the past, this particular treatment was mostly reserved for men who came home from war. Inside the poultice, one can find fresh ponlei (a relative of galangal and ginger) which is said to heal wounds. There’s also Cambodian Flower of Salt, which is chosen for its antiseptic properties, as well as turmeric that is widely known to help soothe one’s skin. These key ingredients are mixed with other barks, roots and plants that are later steamed before the treatment. The warm poultice is then gently compressed to areas of the body with deep muscle tension.