Thai traditional medicine has many natural ways to support the body’s healing, and one of the most unique is Nung Ya—a gentle herbal smoke therapy that helps restore balance and wellbeing.
What is Nung Ya?
Nung Ya, or herbal sitting therapy, involves sitting on a wooden chair or box with a small hole in the middle, placed over warm charcoal. Traditional herbs—like frankincense, black cumin, and sweet flag—are sprinkled on the charcoal, releasing soft, fragrant smoke. The gentle vapors rise up and enter the body through the lower openings, offering a soothing, non-invasive way to support recovery and overall health.
Benefits of Nung Ya
For Women
- Postpartum Recovery & Prolapsed Uterus: Helps the uterus shrink after childbirth and supports natural healing.
- Reproductive Health: Relieves menstrual discomfort, encourages regular cycles, and can help clear waste from the reproductive system, including ovarian cysts and fibroids. These benefits are even stronger when combined with traditional herbal medicine.
For Men
- Prostate Support: Can ease discomfort from an enlarged prostate and works best alongside herbal treatment.
For Everyone
- Urinary Health: May help relieve urinary incontinence.
- Hemorrhoid Care: Helps reduce swelling and speeds healing after hemorrhoid surgery.
Where to Try Nung Ya
If you’re in Chiang Mai, you can experience Nung Ya at Sahana Thai Traditional Medicine Clinic, just north of the moat. The clinic combines traditional healing with modern care and is approved by the Ministry of Public Health. It’s a warm, welcoming place to safely enjoy the benefits of this therapy.