The application of the Tumeric on the body. The dried Tumeric is mixed with Whole Milk.

A treatment I performed years back at one of the elite spas in the world, where I first worked, was called the Lulur.  It was a bride-to-be ritual in Bali done by the brides mother and/or grandmother 40 days prior to the wedding day. A Balinese massage was performed and then an application of tumeric was applied on the skin followed by the application of plain yogurt. The tumeric was used to lighten the skin tone (because the Balinese believed the lighter the skin the more attractive to the man) and the yogurt was used to soften the skin, make it supple to touch. Proceeding the tumeric and yogurt application, the woman would then soak in a tub full of rose petals and Whole Milk. The rose petals would scent the woman’s skin a subtle floral scent and the milk would continue to keep the skin soft and supple.

Bathing in a bath full of rose petals and added Whole Milk.

Everyday for 40 days, the bride-to-be received this ritual treatment.  Not only did her skin feel super soft but her skin also looked lighter.  This ritual prepared her for her husband-to-be on their wedding night so he could take her and hopefully impregnate her that evening.  The 40 days helped the female prepare to be fertile on her wedding night.

A traditional Bride attire in Bali.

This was a very popular treatment at the spa and I would explain the ritual before I would perform the service.  Only one time did I receive a guest from Bali who actually had this ritual done prior to her marriage and I asked her how it was. She told me that it worked great because she got pregnant her wedding night and then she told me that there is a ritual that was performed on her for 40 days after she had given birth to get her body back to normal.  I will save that ritual for another post.