Thanakha is a kind of tree the bark and root of which are used in making a fragrant paste for cosmetic purposes. Its botanical name is Limonia acidissima. The most common use is as a cosmetic for Myanmar women but it is also used by both young and old, male and female in Myanmar. Also, it is not only worn on the face but also on the body.

      You can see many Myanmar women with thanakha on their faces. Older women wear thanakha from head to toe. Myanmar people use Thanaka since very young. Young children, both boys and girls, wear thanakha. And there are some men who still wear thanakha from time to time.

      Thanakha paste gives a beautiful fragrance, making the wearer feel refreshed and beautiful. By wearing thankha regularly your skin becomes smooth and clear. In warm climates, when skin tends to be oily thanaka is beneficial for its astringent qualities. From ancient days up until now thanakha is worn by women from royalty to paddy transplanters. For paddy transplanters or laborers, thanakha is worn for both aesthetic and practical reasons so as not to expose their skin to the sun. Thanakha is a natural sun block for people who have to work under the scorching sun in their daily lives. Of course for the royalty and the rich, it is for the fragrance and the cooling effect thanakha gives. Even though cosmetics from other countries are now widely used, there are very few Myanmar women who stay away from thanaka. For those women who wear western cosmetics during the day, they use thanakha at night before they go to bed. Myanmar women also wear thanakha as a base for the makeup. It is also used as a combination skin conditioner, perfume and cosmetic. It tightens pores and controls oiliness and thus helps prevent pimples. It cools the skin and emits a fragrant aroma well liked by Myanmar women. It is also a unique cosmetic fashion statement. Young girls come up with many whimsical thanakha designs on their cheeks such as a leaf, a heart, little whirls, rounds and shell shapes.

      You only need a whetstone, a sprinkle of water and the bark of the thanakha tree to make the fragrant yellow paste. Thanakha is a perennial tree that grows in the thick forests of central Myanmar. It must be at least 35 years old to be mature enough to yield good thanakha. To grind thanakha, water is sprinkled on the flat circular whetstone and the bark is laid on its side and then ground. The paste should be neither too thick nor too thin. It stays fresh for only a couple of days before it becomes stale. Some keep fresh thanakha paste in the fridge, making it last to up to a week and also giving a cool refreshing feel when applied to their face. However, more and more city women are turning to compressed bars, powder or ready-made cream thanakha. Powdered or compressed thanaka sells for about 100K, the cream about 150K and the bark about 500K.