Param, Pilis and Tapel Explained: What They Are For and How to Use Them Safely

FM

Medically reviewed by

Dr Fatimah Mustafah

Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist

• M.D (UKM)
• M.O&G (Universiti Malaya)
• MMC 27460
• NSR 134372

Written by

Roseville Spa Team

Women therapists at Roseville Muslimah Spa, Bangi Gateway

Updated 29 October 2026 23 references

Disclosure: Dr Fatimah is one of Roseville’s owners.

Param, pilis and tapel: what is the difference?

All three are herbal preparations used on the skin in Malay confinement, not medical procedures. They differ in where they go:

• Param: a herbal powder or paste for the body, especially the tummy.
• Pilis: a herbal paste dabbed on the forehead, around the temples.
• Tapel (dictionary spelling: tapal): a mixture spread on the tummy, usually before the bengkung belly wrap.

What is param for, and how is it used after birth?

The Kamus Dewan dictionary defines param as a powder applied to the body. A 2017 Ministry of Health Malaysia (KKM) report on confinement in Kelantan describes it as a herbal mixture to keep the mother warm after birth, usually applied all over the body, especially the tummy.

Recipes vary; one practitioner cooked tamarind (asam gelugor), lime, ginger, galangal, citronella and spices.

• Follow the label and apply a thin layer on clean, dry, unbroken skin.
• Wash your hands afterwards, before touching your eyes or holding your baby.
• No medical guideline sets how many days to use it; let your skin guide you.

What is pilis for? Meaning and use during confinement

Kamus Dewan defines pilis as something dabbed on the forehead, at the temples. In the KKM report, practitioners said pilis is used to ease headaches and dizziness and keep out “wind”. A small 2025 interview study in Brunei recorded pilis made from ground turmeric, without testing it.

We found no clinical studies of pilis for dizziness. A severe headache or dizziness can signal heavy bleeding or pre-eclampsia, so see a doctor rather than relying on pilis.

• Dab a thin layer on the forehead only, away from your eyes.
• If pilis gets in your eye, rinse with clean running water for at least 20 minutes, as the NHS advises.

Tapel for the tummy after birth: what is it and when is it used?

Kamus Dewan lists tapal, commonly said as tapel, as a liquid preparation spread on the tummy, usually before the bengkung. The KKM report recorded salt and turmeric in the early days after a normal delivery, then lime juice or rice yeast (ragi) with slaked lime (kapur).

Tradition links tapel with the shape of the tummy and skin after birth, but there is no strong evidence for this. Tapel, bengkung and tungku often go together; see our guides to bengkung after birth and bertungku (hot stone compress).

After a caesarean, never put tapel on the wound. An NHS leaflet advises cleaning the wound with plain water, without soap or oils; it usually becomes a scar within 5 to 6 weeks. Wait for your doctor’s go-ahead and read our confinement after a caesarean guide.

Param, pilis and tapel in Roseville confinement packages

At Roseville Confinement Villa & Spa, a Muslim-friendly confinement centre in Bangi Gateway, param, pilis and tapel come with packages of 7 days or longer.

• All packages: four confinement meals a day, herbal & flower baths, warm sitz baths and 24-hour baby care.
• 7 days or longer: traditional full-body massage; foot spa, tungku, param, pilis, tapel and bengkung; body scrub or sauna.

Our all-female team provides this for comfort, not as medical care. When booking, tell us how you gave birth and about any skin allergies. See also our guides to postnatal massage and herbal baths.

What does the research say about param, pilis and tapel?

• KKM (2017): interviews with 42 traditional practitioners in Kelantan. It documents practices and advises consulting a medical officer before following them.
• Ridzuan and colleagues (2021): a cross-sectional survey at one Perak clinic; 66.2% of 195 mothers used traditional or complementary practices after birth. Limits: one clinic, convenience sampling. The authors warn herbs can cause allergies and adulterated traditional products may contain steroids.
• MaHTAS, KKM (2016): an evidence review found limited evidence for traditional postnatal care such as massage and hot compression; param, pilis and tapel were not assessed.

Our PubMed search found no clinical trials of param, pilis or tapel. Many mothers value them as tradition and for comfort, but health effects are unproven.

How to choose a registered param, pilis or tapel product

The KKM Pharmaceutical Services Programme says all pharmaceutical products, including traditional preparations, must be registered with the Drug Control Authority before sale. Before you buy:

• Check the label for “MAL”, 8 digits and a letter. In NPRA (National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency) coding, T means a natural or traditional product.
• Look for the hologram security sticker on the pack.
• Check the product status, including notified cosmetics, on the NPRA product search.
• If you get a side effect, stop and see a doctor; you can also report it to the NPRA on the ConSERF form.

We do not name brands. If in doubt, show the label to a pharmacist.

How to use them safely: allergy test, wounds, eyes and babies

1. Patch test first. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) suggests applying a little product to your inner forearm twice a day for 4 to 5 days before using it on your face.
2. Avoid wounds. Never apply on a caesarean wound, stitches or cracked skin. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) advises only water for a perineal tear.
3. Not for babies. The NHS advises that oils or lotions used on babies should be suitable for babies.
4. Stop at the first sign. Rinse off if skin turns red, itchy, blistered or stings. See a doctor if it is severe, recurring or persistent.

When to see a doctor

These signs need a doctor urgently, whether or not you use param, pilis or tapel. In an emergency, call 999.

Roseville is a confinement centre and women’s spa, not a clinic, and our therapists do not assess these conditions. For a check-up, we can help arrange an appointment at the clinic or hospital you choose.

Frequently asked questions

This article is general information and does not replace advice from your doctor. Roseville is a confinement care centre and women’s spa, not a clinic or hospital. For any health concern for you or your baby, please see a doctor or registered health facility.