Hilot – The Filipino healing practice

“Hilot”-the word is more familiar among the Filipino people and in the conventional medical system of the Philippines. It is an ancient therapeutic process, or as we might call it in a more common language, traditional massage therapy. But, if you think it is similar to the massage we get in spas, you are absolutely wrong. Then, what kind of massage is it? Are you curious to know about its healing power? Read the article to the end to find a number of interesting facts and health tips.

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Origin of Hilot

Hilot is an ancient healing therapy that involves deep tissue massage by applying acupressure and herbal medicines. It stems from the early shamanic tradition, which dates back to the Paleolithic era. In the Philippines, initially, the Hilot was used by midwives to help newly delivered moms to lower their stress hormone levels and to increase blood circulation after labor.

The practice of Hilot is deeply ingrained in Filipino culture. Manghihilots were historically the primary healthcare providers of the community before modern medical doctors became widely accepted. Even though modern medicine has become the mainstream for disease treatment, many people still practice traditional healing due to cultural beliefs.

They believed that the ability to practice Hilot was a gift that needed to be passed down to family members. Because Hilot always produces effective results, it is quite popular in the local community and neighboring regions.

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How Does Hilot Work?

The Hilot massage will be provided by trained healers called “manghihilots”. They were trained from childhood in massage therapy and the body-mind connection. Hilot therapy has been passed down from generation to generation through manghihilots. Generally, these manghihilots are well-versed elders. As I said earlier, this therapy is not a regular massage. More than relaxation, it will be performed to promote body healing. The healer will examine our bodies through touch diagnosis before starting the massage. Particularly, the healer typically examines specific body parts during touch diagnosis to look for any indications of abnormalities in the skeletal and muscular systems. To evaluate the severity of any possible underlying ailments, they will check our body’s temperature, and pulse as well. A Hilot therapist starts by examining the back with warm banana leaves to find out where the body is imbalanced. Similar to other conventional medical practices, Hilot also emphasizes balance and harmony. When Hilot practitioners identify energetically imbalanced regions through touch diagnosis, they administer treatments aimed at restoring the flow of energy.

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Method of Touch-Diagnosis Execution:

• To perform Hilot therapy, you will need long strips of banana leaves 
• Warm virgin coconut oil should be spread on the banana leaves.
• With gentle pressure, allow the banana strips to glide along the body, including the sides of the arms.
• An imbalanced spot is where the banana leaf stops moving.
• An energy healer will then give the patient a massage to create biochemical reactions that help the body heal itself to correct the imbalance in energy.

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Training regimes for manghihilot

The Hilot practitioners undergo training that includes learning the principles of traditional healing. They also develop a personal value system that is relevant to Hilot Healing. They should understand how the body works. They should get an all-encompassing education that includes the biological, social, behavioral, and psychological aspects of existence.

A skilled hilot practitioner could diagnose his patient’s condition simply by looking at him and feeling his energy. A skilled healer can detect the harmony of the four elements—fire, water, earth, and air—in one’s body.

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Hilot Procedures

Hilot therapy has spiritual underpinnings. Before starting treatment, the manghihilot performs a ritual in which he asks his ancestors for guidance. The prayer also intends to call upon the divine force of nature to provide energy for healing. They believe that the power of nature gives sick people the ability to use their innate capacity for healing.

After that, they’ll blend various herbal components that have medicinal properties with coconut oil or extracts from banana leaves. This concoction is then massaged into the person’s body to gently release tight muscles and nerves. Since coconut oil is abundant in rural areas of the Philippines, Hilot practitioners tend to use it extensively. It is cheap, readily accessible, and aids the practitioner in detecting the body’s temperature, which can be an indication of underlying issues. Moreover, coconut oil is also useful for moisturizing the skin.

After a Hilot therapy, the patient is normally advised not to take a bath for around twenty-four hours to allow the oils to penetrate the skin.

Healing practitioners also suggest specific foods and herbal tea made with a combination of various plant extracts in addition to massages.

For instance, a concoction made from lemongrass and bamboo roots helps detoxify the body.

Antibacterial properties found in guava leaf extract help combat infections.

Eating boiled sweet potatoes helps with colon cleansing and strengthens the digestive system.

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Benefits of Hilot Therapy

Hilot massage revitalizes your inner energy and relieves aches and pains. When a patient’s illness is severe, a deep tissue massage may be necessary as a treatment. It may cause discomfort at times. Yet, Filipinos are willing to take such therapy since it promotes rapid healing.

•  Recovers from major surgeries

  Filipinos choose “Hilot” massage therapy to calm their muscles, joints, and nerves following more intensive medical procedures. This massage helps patients recover quickly and return to their everyday routines. It also promotes harmony and balance in our bodies and promotes better sleep.

• Reduces work-related stress

  A Hilot massage helps relieve physical pain caused by stress and work by focusing on pinched nerves and their surrounding areas. Additionally, it promotes immediate comfort and reduces swelling caused by pain.

• Detoxification

  When a healer stimulates your body, it releases toxins through your blood circulation. By the way, it aids in detoxification.

• Aids in childbirth

  Manghihilot can help with childbirth throughout the different phases. After giving birth, a mother’s body can relax and heal more rapidly with a Hilot massage. At the same time, it can decrease stress hormone levels and provide emotional relaxation.

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Why should we choose Hilot?

Many of us have experienced relaxation generally brought on during a massage. Once your body enters this condition, your heart rate and breathing rate will slow, which decreases tension. Kneading and stroking during a massage improve blood and lymphatic fluid circulation.

Hilot is more beneficial than a massage as it aids in gaining inner balance. Furthermore, it is a complementary therapy that promotes detoxification and relaxation of muscles and nerves. Herbal oils and extracts are also used in this therapy to expedite healing and bring body-mind harmony.