Herbal steam sauna

All our Classic Tamarind Spa packages include at least an hour ~ or longer if you like ~ before your massage in our aromatic steam room and unique dip pool.

For our forest spa packages we have included 90 minutes for you to relax in the steam cave, forest pools, and 'space out zone' including complimentary refreshments before your massage.

There is no time limit on the steam and you are always welcome to come even earlier (check opening times always).

For many years people have visited herbal steam saunas in rural temples throughout Asia to enhance their physical and spiritual well-being.

The herbal steam is an amazingly refreshing experience - the herbal mix stimulates and invigorates, and the combination of steam and cold water plunge pool energizes and refreshes.

The Thai herbal steam bath is an age-old tradition, which, like massage, has been passed down through generations of skilled practitioners in the temples. Originally, inhaled steam vapor - made from a mixture of fresh and dried essential herbs boiled in water - was used to treat skin ailments, muscle stress, and respiratory problems. The roots and rhizomes traditionally used include turmeric, prai (closely related to ginger), lemongrass, bergamot lime, leaves of the camphor tree and the tamarind tree, among others.

Lemongrass, prai, khamin, bergamot lime leaves - some of the herbs used in the steam.

“Read more about herbal steam”

Formed by the rocks surrounding it, the steam caves at Tamarind Springs are permeated with the scent of Thai herbs.

Set between two huge prehistoric boulders, the herbal steam room at Tamarind Springs is like no other. Many visitors describe the experience of sitting inside it as primal - akin to entering the belly of a whale or being in a dragon's cave. Shafts of light from the frosted glass windows set in the roof softly illuminate the dark, and the scent of aromatic Thai herbs permeates the space.

The room temperature - usually 35c-45c (95f-110f) is lower than in an ordinary dry sauna. Ideally, you can sit or recline on the built-in benches for short periods of time (between 5 and 10 minutes), alternating with a refreshing dip in the cool plunge pool located just outside the steam room. How long you spend in the steam area is up to you. Some of our guests bring a book and sit near the pool for hours. Others prefer a quick warm up before their massage.