Thanakha

Thanaka is a yellowish-white cosmetic commonly applied to the face by many people in Myanmar. It is considered the beauty secret of Burmese women. Men may also use thanaka for their face and skin care. Children of both sexes certainly wear it or have it applied by grown-ups in the family.

Thanaka cream is made by grinding the bark of the thanaka tree with a little water on a circular stone slab called kyauk pyin which has a channel round the rim for the water to drain into. Thanaka trees grow abundantly in central Myanmar; the two most popular are the Shwebo thanaka (Limonia acidissima) from Sagaing Division and the Shimataung thanaka from Magwe Division. A more recent contender sold as a paste is Taunggyi Mauk Mai thanaka from the southern Shan State. Thanaka trees are perennials, and a tree must be at least 35 years old before it is considered mature enough to yield good-quality cuttings. Thanaka in its natural state is sold as small logs individually or in bundles but nowadays also as a paste or in powder form.

For over 2000 years, thanaka cream has been an essential part of the beauty routine of Myanmar women. It has a distinctive mild and pleasant fragrance which is slightly similar to sandalwood. The creamy paste is applied to the face in attractive designs, the most common form being a circular patch on each cheek, sometimes made stripey with the fingers known as thanaka bè gya, or patterned in the shape of a leaf, often also highlighting the bridge of the nose with it at the same time. It may be applied from head to toe (thanaka chi zoun gaung zoun). Apart from cosmetic beauty, thanaka also provides protection from sunburn, helps remove acne and promotes smooth skin. It is a traditional cosmetic and an inexpensive form of skin care.

Prints of J Raeburn Middleton's paintings portraying a Burmese lady at her toilet, in which a thanaka log and kyauk pyin featured, were popular in Britain from the late 1920s until after the War.

Thanaka has anti-fungal properties. Mosquito repellents, when mixed with thanaka and worn, were found to effectively ward off mosquitoes carrying malaria and dengue fever.