The original of Thai herbal compress are obscure, but it's known that such compresses were used the soothe the aching muscles of war - weary soldiers during the Thai-Burmese battles of the Ayutthaya period over 200 years ago. Such compresses were also popular in neighboring Burma, Cambodia and Laos, though the formulae differ from region to region, depending on the local plants and herbs.
With the recent back-to-nature trend among stressed and health-conscious urbanites, these herbal compresses are now packaged and sold commercially in Bangkok's many health stores, so you can give yourself a quick-fix heat treatment at home. Some Thai woman use these store-bought compresses on their abdomens after giving birth, to help ease the tired, bloated feeling that comes after childbirth. Call prakop in Thai, the herbal compress has been incorporated into modern spa treatments, often in conjunction with massage.