Balinese Massage Tradition: Boreh, Strokes and Local Roots
The Balinese massage tradition centres on a warming herbal paste called boreh, firm strokes along the muscles and oils that carry the scent of local plants across the skin. It is closer to the island’s healing practice than most of the massage styles visitors meet, and it has its own rhythm and its own vocabulary. What the boreh paste is and why it is used, how the strokes and pressure are applied, which herbal oils appear in the treatment, how it compares with Thai and Swedish massage, where it sits in local healing knowledge, and what a visitor should check before booking are covered below.
Balinese massage tradition: the boreh paste
Boreh is a warming paste made from ground spices and herbs. It is applied to the skin before the massage and is used in traditional Balinese treatments across the island. The paste is the feature that most visitors remember, because it is warm, aromatic and sometimes stinging on the skin, and it marks the treatment as local rather than generic.
Recipes differ between families and practitioners, but the paste is typically built from ginger, turmeric, lemongrass, cloves and pepper, with cinnamon and other aromatic spices in many versions. The spices are ground by hand or in a simple mill, and they are mixed with a little oil or water until they form a thick, grainy paste. Each practitioner has their own balance of heat and fragrance.
The paste is traditionally used to warm the body and to help the skin take in the scent of the herbs. It is applied in the belief that it helps the body relax, and many visitors describe the sensation as a deep, slow warmth that spreads from the surface into the muscles. The warmth builds over the course of the massage, and the scent often lingers afterwards.
Boreh can feel hot and sometimes stinging on the skin. If the paste is too strong, tell the practitioner and ask for it to be removed or wiped away. A good practitioner will adjust the paste or reduce the amount on the skin, and will not insist that the discomfort is part of the treatment.
Why the paste is applied before the massage
The paste goes on first, so that the warmth reaches the muscles before the hands begin. Many practitioners spread it over the back, the legs and the arms, and then begin the massage with long, slow strokes that carry the paste into the skin. The sequence means the client experiences the warmth as a prelude to the work, rather than as an add-on.
The paste is also a sign of the local character of the treatment. The plants in the paste grow in village gardens and sell in the markets, which is why the scent feels local.
The strokes, the pressure and the rhythm
The traditional approach uses firm strokes, often long and sweeping, along the muscles of the back, legs and arms. The practitioner works along the length of the muscle, moving from the lower part of the body towards the heart, and the stroke is repeated several times in each area. The rhythm is steady, and the pace allows the client to feel the muscle release under the hands.
Practitioners work with the thumbs, the palms and the forearms. The forearm is used for broad, sweeping pressure across the big muscles of the back and legs, and the thumbs are used for smaller areas where the muscle is tight. The hands follow the lines of the muscles, and the pressure is applied in a way that feels firm rather than sharp.
Some practitioners use pressure on points that local practice treats as places that release tension. The points and their names vary from one practitioner to another, and the practice is best called traditional. Be wary of claims that these points match named organs or systems, and do not expect a specific effect from a particular point. The points are part of the practice, not a promise of a cure.
The strength of the treatment varies from firm to very firm. Clients should say if the pressure is too strong, and a practitioner should adjust it without fuss. A visitor who is used to a light touch should mention this at the start, because the strokes can be much deeper than a standard relaxation massage.
Herbal oils and their use
Herbal oils are used in many treatments. Coconut oil is common, and some practitioners add other plant oils or herbal infusions to it. The oil helps the hands glide across the skin and carries the scent of the herbs into the body’s warmth. The oil also allows the practitioner to move from the paste into the longer strokes without dragging the skin.
Oils should be checked for allergies before use. A visitor with a known sensitivity to nuts, sesame or any of the spices should tell the practitioner before the treatment starts. Ask what is in the oil, and ask whether it can be replaced if there is a reaction.
Balinese, Thai and Swedish massage compared
Thai massage is often done on a mat, with the practitioner using stretches, pressure and body positions. The client is guided through movements that resemble assisted yoga, and the session feels more active than a Balinese massage. The stretching is a main feature, and the client is often asked to move with the practitioner.
Swedish massage uses long strokes, kneading and friction, usually with oil, and it is shaped by the Western massage tradition. The style is generally lighter in pressure than a Balinese massage, and it is designed for relaxation rather than deep work on the muscles.
Balinese massage combines firm strokes and pressure with the warming boreh paste and the herbal oils. It is more closely linked to local healing practice than either of the others, and the paste gives it a sensory character that neither of the other styles has. The difference is in the feel of the treatment and in the local knowledge that shapes it, rather than in one style being better than another.
A visitor who has tried all three will notice that the Thai style is about movement, the Swedish style is about relaxation and the Balinese style is about warmth and firm contact. Choosing between them depends on which of those qualities you want most on a given day.
The local healing knowledge behind the massage
Balinese traditional healing draws on the usada texts, which describe remedies, healing practices and the use of herbs. These texts are part of a wider local knowledge that passes through families and healers, and the massage is one part of that knowledge. The herbal paste and the oils carry the same family of plants that appear in the remedies in older texts.
Massage is often linked with herbal knowledge that is passed down within families. A practitioner may learn the paste from a parent or a relative, and the recipe becomes part of the family’s practice. This is one reason why recipes differ so much from one place to another.
Practitioners may describe their work as traditional healing, and the claims they make should be treated with care. A visitor should expect a practitioner to describe what the treatment does for relaxation and comfort, and should be wary of any promise that a massage will cure an illness. Massage is not a medical treatment and should not replace diagnosis or care from a doctor.
What a visitor should expect and check
Expect a short consultation at the start, in which the practitioner asks about health conditions, injuries and allergies. This is a good moment to describe any problem areas, such as an old injury or a sensitive joint, and to ask how the practitioner will work around them.
Most sessions start with the client face down, the paste applied first. The client may be asked to turn over partway through, and the practitioner will then work on the front of the body in a similar way, with attention to the arms and legs.
Ask about the strength of the pressure and let the practitioner know if you need changes. Speak up early, because the strokes can be deeper than expected and a practitioner cannot adjust what they are not told about.
After the session, the paste is usually rinsed or wiped off, and the client rests for a short time. A short rest afterwards lets the body cool down gradually.
Check whether the practitioner is trained and whether they have experience of the traditional style. A practitioner who can explain the paste, the oil and the strokes in plain words is more likely to have learned the method properly than one who cannot.
When to avoid a treatment or see a doctor first
Do not have a boreh massage if you have a skin condition, an open wound, a recent burn or a known allergy to any of the spices or oils. The paste can sting on broken skin and may cause a reaction on sensitive areas, and a practitioner should not work on skin that is damaged.
People who are pregnant, who have heart or blood pressure conditions, bleeding disorders or a recent injury should see a doctor before a deep-tissue massage. Deep, firm work is not right for everyone, so a doctor’s view matters first.
If you feel unwell during or after the session, tell the practitioner and see a doctor promptly. This is general traveller information and not medical advice. A visitor who feels dizzy, short of breath or unusually unwell after a warm treatment should stop and rest, and should seek help if the symptoms do not pass.
Who this massage suits and who should choose something lighter
The treatment suits visitors who are interested in local healing traditions, warm herbal treatments and firm massage. It is a good choice for someone who likes a strong, grounding session and who enjoys the scent of spices and oils.
A light touch is the better choice for anyone with sensitive skin or any condition listed here. A visitor who wants a gentle, quiet session will find a lighter style more relaxing.
Frequently asked questions about Balinese massage
Is boreh supposed to sting?
It can feel hot and prickly, especially on the first application. A little warmth is normal, but strong stinging is a reason to ask for the paste to be wiped away. A good practitioner adjusts the strength of the paste to the client.
Can I wear my clothes during a session?
The client usually undresses to the level they are comfortable with, and the practitioner covers the body with a cloth. Ask the practitioner how the session is set up, and tell them if you prefer to keep more clothing on.
How long does the paste stay on the skin?
The paste stays on while the massage is given and is then removed. Ask the practitioner for the timing so that you know what to expect at each stage of the session.
Will the massage stain my skin?
Turmeric can leave a yellow tint on the skin, and the oils can leave a slight sheen. The rinse removes most of the colour, and a quick wash at home clears the rest.
Useful Indonesian words for Balinese massage
Pijat means massage. Boreh is the warming herbal paste. Minyak means oil, and jahe is ginger. Kunyit is turmeric, and serai is lemongrass. Cengkeh means cloves, and usada refers to the traditional healing texts. Sakit means pain or illness. Those words help you ask about the paste and the oils before anything begins.
A softer, scented alternative is the Balinese lulur body scrub, and the herbal health system that sits beside massage is described on the Ayurveda Bali page. The rest of the island’s wellness options are set out there.
Related guides: hatha yoga, Why kerokan is passed on within families, Udeng, What tajen means in its ritual setting, kepus puser.