Sulphur sticks are small sticks of natural sulphur used in traditional massage: they are rolled over the skin on the area you want to treat. This guide explains where they come from, how to use them step by step, how to store them and which precautions to take.
What sulphur sticks are
They are an old folk remedy brought from South America by Italian emigrants originally from Liguria, where they are still known and used in families today. Our Matapalo, pack of 3 sulphur sticks, follows this tradition.
According to traditional use, massage with the sticks is done on the spots where you feel muscular or nervous tension. It is not a medicine and does not replace medical advice.
How to use them: step by step
- Choose the area to massage (back, neck, shoulders, legs) and sit or lie down comfortably.
- Roll the stick over the skin with light pressure for about 5-10 minutes.
- Listen for the crackling: according to tradition it is the sign that the sulphur is in contact with the area of tension. It is caused by the temperature difference between your hands and the stick.
- Continue with a new stick, or with the pieces that are still usable, until you no longer hear crackling.
- If the stick breaks it is normal: you can use the pieces until they become too small.
After use: cleaning and storage
- Rinse the stick under running water.
- Keep it in the refrigerator.
- Before the next use, put it in the freezer for about 5 minutes: tradition says this restores its effectiveness.
How long they last
It depends on how often you use them and how much they break. A pack of 3 contains enough pieces for several massages, and the fragments can be reused too.
Precautions
- Do not use the sticks on broken skin, wounds, burns or irritation.
- Stop if you feel burning or redness.
- Sulphur has a characteristic smell: ventilate the room.
- During pregnancy, with skin conditions or allergies, ask your doctor.
- Keep out of reach of children.
Frequently asked questions
Why does it crackle?
The crackling comes from the contact between the cold stick and the warmth of your hands and skin. In tradition it is read as the sign of the sulphur "at work".
Can it be reused?
Yes, both the whole stick and the broken pieces, until they become too small to hold.
Where can I buy them?
In the Sulphur sticks category you will find the Matapalo pack of 3.
Learn more and complete the ritual
To understand the technique better, read the article Matapalo sulphur sticks: what they are and how they are used in traditional massage. Sulphur also features in other products of ours: the sulphur soap bar and the article sulphur soap, discover all the benefits.
If you love traditional practices, you may be interested in the Neti Pot guide, the Aleppo soap guide and the Wellness and Ayurveda category.
For questions write to us from the Contact us page; for delivery times and costs see Shipping and delivery.