Nam Ob Thai is perfumed water with a light yellow color. Its name inherits from the word for water (nam) and for vaporization or essence (ob). Nam Ob Thai can be made with fresh or dried flowers and recipes often contain natural ingredients such as nutmeg, incense powder, kaffir lime, saffron, sugar, musk, rose, jasmine, frangipani, ylang-ylang and pandan leaves. Nowadays, the younger Thai generation do not usually use nam oop Thai as everyday perfume but only use it in important traditions such as weddings, Songkran festival, New Year festival and Thai funerals. Therefore, nam ob Thai has an important place in the identity of Thai culture.
Contents
Nam ob Thai may be purchased in Thailand at all Buddhist stores, and even in supermarkets, in the candle and temple offering section. You may also find it online from Thai export and food companies. It comes in several varieties, and may be purchased in the traditional small glass bottle, or in plastic bottles, which are best for travelling.
How to Use Nam Ob Thai
Nam ob Thai can be applied to the face and body to cool the skin and to mask body reek It is sometimes mixed with pang-rum (a type of fragrant powder) before applying to the face or body. As part of a formula for a traditional skin toner, it is mixed with turmeric powder (khamin) and rubbed on the body before taking a hot bath. It can also be mixed with powdered rice and applied to the skin before bathing. This process is believed to reduce skin irritations and rash caused by allergies. In some households, it is mixed with fresh or dry potpourri, and left in a sachet or small bowl to provide a sweet smell to a room or specific area of the home.
History
The Tourism Authority of Thailand's section about the history of Nam ob Thai is ‘’ For many years fragrance has been one of the major elements of Thai traditions, Nam ob consist of pouring water mixed with a Thai fragrance over statues of Buddha at the Songkran festival and at Thai funerals ‘’ There are many types of Thai fragrances of which the most popular is Nam ob. This was a traditional cosmetic first discovered in the Sukhothai Kingdom continuing to the Ayutthaya and Rattanakosin Kingdoms.
Culture
Nam Ob Thai plays an important role in Thai Buddhist ceremonies, and is used to sprinkle on statues and effigies of the Rice Goddess and other deities. It is also used to bathe a statue or image of the Buddha, or of a revered monk, while accompanied by prayer, often done during Songkran (Thai New Year). It is often used to bless and clean the bodies of the deceased. Nam ob Thai can be given as an offering to monks, teachers, or to anyone who is respected. In some cases, nam ob is used to accompany blessings or after prayer and used in Thai massage. Teachers apply it to their faces and heads after they pray, or after chanting the wai khru (Om Namo).
Reference Mod. (2014, April). Thai scented water and White clay filler.