Dried herbs were burned on top of patients' bodies in a bizarre healing therapy in Thailand.

Footage shows the assorted crushed root, bark, and leaves from medicinal plants flattened like a pie on people's bodies before it was lit up in Chiang Mai province on September 8.

To prevent fire from spreading, the practitioner will apply oil to the person's stomach and place a damp cloth around the area to be burnt. After filling it with herbs, the fire is lit. When the patient becomes hot, the practitioner covers them with a damp towel.

Locals believed the unusual methods could prevent them from catching colds and boost the immune system against other seasonal respiratory illnesses.

An organiser of the mass therapy said: ‘The face steaming is done by letting participants inhale the scent of boiling herbs which has property in helping prevent the spread of colds and the flu.

‘Burning herbs on the body expand blood vessels, reduce pain and relax the muscles. The flames are what enables the body to absorb faster.'

The herbs used are so-called 'hot property herbs' such as turmeric, galangal, lemongrass and ginger, often used in Chinese medical journals.

They also had face steaming and cleansing foot baths with herbs. Another set of herbs was steeped in a bowl like tea before it was placed inside a blanket with a person so they could inhale the steam.