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Interview
with Belinda Shepherd - The
Creative Genius Behind the Treatments at The Spa at Four Seasons Chiang
Mai in Thailand
Julie Register visited Four Seasons Resort Chaing Mai in northern
Thailand in June 2001
I love The Spa at Four Seasons Chiang Mai in Thailand.
Its beautiful design, exotic decor, skilled therapists and unique treatments
are a class unto itself. During my visit there, I asked about the treatments.
Answers always included the name Belinda Shepherd and all of the research
she has done. She was the designer of The Spa's Menu of Services and the
creator of many of the "recipes" used in the treatments.
Julie: How/when did you develop your interest in
indigenous treatments?
Belinda:
I developed my interest in indigenous products 5 yrs ago.
Julie: Where did you conduct your research?
Belinda:
I researched and sourced step by step, firstly in Singapore when I was
doing some consultant work, then in Bali to develop the Four Seasons Spas,
and of course Chiang Mai.
Julie: What did you find unique to Thailand?
Belinda:
The unique factor about Thailand was the amount of local indigenous products
to utilise for the Spa treatments to steam and bath in plus make into
Herbal teas.
Julie: What did you find in Thailand that was in
common with other Asian countries?
Belinda:
Thailand has in common with the other Asian countries the indigenous herbs
and spices that have been handed down through generations. Not only the
application to the body, face and hair, but also to cook with.
Julie: How did you apply this information to spa
treatments?
Belinda:
I learnt the properties and benefits of the herbs and spices and then
choose which ones were applicable to be scrubbed, wrapped and bathed in.
Julie: How did you develop the menu of services at The Spa?
Belinda: I developed the Menu of Services
around the combination of Thai herbs, flowers and oils. the ingredients
are all sourced locally and have been used for generations to rejuvenate
and repair the skin and hair. For example, we utilise the following essences
of the plant, which are distilled with steam, then absorbed through respiration
and the pores of the skin.
-
PRAI - From the
ginger family, it relieves dry skin and sunburn
-
WILD LIME - It
improves breathing and is recommended for throat and lung conditions.
Freshly squeezed, this is also an excellent natural hair conditioner.
-
BAI NART - from
the sage species, it helps to thin the blood, clear headaches and
soothe muscle tension.
-
MORNING GLORY
- It clears and stimulates the sinuses.
-
LEMONGRASS - For
toning of muscles and tissues, it also de-stresses the nervous system.
This combination is traditional
to the location as the plants/herbs have been readily available for years
with other parts of Thailand utilising a similar blend.
Julie: The Lanna Herbal Facial includes "essences of herbal plants
and Ylang Ylang essential oil, plus a herbal potpourri masque". Can you
name some of the herbal plants and their specific benefits to a facial?
Belinda: The Lanna Herbal Facial includes the
extracts of Prai ( ginger ) and Kahmin (cummin )
-
PRAI is a natural
moisturiser which nourishes and soothes the skin and has a sweet woody
fragrance. Thai's have used this root for centuries to heal skin ailments.
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KAHMIN is a herb
from the ginger family and its essential oils are a natural moisturiser
with antiseptic qualities. Mixed with Prai, it creates a unique blend
for health and beauty treatments.
-
YLANG YLANG essential
oil is a base for many perfumes because of its soft floral fragrance
and relaxing qualities. It is a soothing stimulant often reputed for
its romantic sway.
Julie: There are a number of other
unique services that sound very interesting including the skin scrubs
(Rice & Spice, Lanna Herbal Body Polish, Honey Seed Rub), the Natural
Thai Herb body wrap, and the Wild Lime and Prai hair treatments. Is there
anything you would like to share about these?
Belinda: The Scrubs use a combination
of crushed rice, blended herbs and seeds have been used for centuries
to gently exfoliate and revitalise the skin, creating a natural glow.
-
RICE & SPICE
is a sensuous combination of herbs and spices blended with Cloves
and Ginger to warm the muscles and increase blood circulation. This
concept has been used by rice farmers for generations.
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LANNA HERBAL BODY
POLISH is a smooth and fragrant exfoliating treatment blending
Sandalwood and herbal extracts of Prai, Lemongrass and Bai Nart to
polish the skin, followed by Prai body milk to hydrate and refine
the skin and spirit.
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HONEY SEED RUB
is a traditional Thai body rub using natural Honey and Sesame seeds
with a refreshing Lime aromatic splash. It leaves the body feeling
fresh and invigorated. It ends with the application of Lavender body
moisturiser.
The Wraps use
blends of earth clay, essential oils and flowers are applied to the skin
for absorption and then draw impurities out through the pores of the skin.
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NATURAL
THAI HERBS WRAP blends Lemongrass,
Bai Nart, Prai,and tropical fruits to improve and stimulate circulation
and soften and smooth the skin. Application of hydrating Prai body
moisturiser completes this treatment.
Wild Lime is a proven
Thai tonic for hair care and Prai Oil has traditionally been used
throughout time as a scalp conditioner.
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WILD
LIME HAIR CARE restores lustre and
colour using the small Thai Wild Lime or Magnut. Fresh Wild Limes
offer the source for the essential oil extracts which have been used
in hair treatments by Thai women for centuries. The oil is a natural
moisturiser with a rich aromatic scent. Freshly crushed, the Wild
Lime is applied to the hair and scalp. This is followed by a refreshing
and fragrant Wild Lime shampoo, then conditioner containing the essential
oil of Wild Lime is massaged into the hair.
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PRAI HAIR TREATMENT
- The root of this plant, which belongs to the Ginger family, has
a long history for its healing qualities. The added advantage of its
antiseptic qualities makes it a perfect ingredient for hair and scalp
conditioning. It is massaged onto the scalp which is then washed and
rinsed with Prai shampoo and conditioner to give the hair body and
strength.
The Prai, Nutmeg, Lemongrass
and Ylang Ylang oils are the signature oils of The Spa which are utilised
in the massages and truly indigenous to the Northern Thai region.
Their properties and benefits follow:
Photo copyright 2001, Julie Register
licensed to About.com
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PRAI
is from the Ginger family, a natural moisturiser, which nourishes
and soothes the skin and has a sweet woody fragrance.
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NUTMEG is a Southern
Thai oil used for muscular ailments and muscle stimulation. It has
a warm spicy fragrance and relieve fatigue.
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LEMONGRASS is
a fresh grassy citrus fragrance, known for its tissue tone - refreshing
and stimulating.
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YLANG YLANG essential
oil is a base for many perfumes because of its soft floral fragrance
and relaxing qualities. It is a soothing stimulant often reputed for
its romantic sway.
Belinda Shepherd is currently the Director
of Spas at Four Seasons Resorts Bali. She is originally from New Zealand.
She has developed spa treatments throughout Asia and Australia: Four Seasons
Chiang Mai, Four Seasons Sydney, Four Seasons Resorts Bali and Four Seasons
Resort Maldives.
Photos copyright 2001, Julie Register
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