DIXON At 5 years old, Trirong Khuntangta was carrying herbs back to his school where he learned how to dry and prepare them.

The downtown Dixon building that he converted into the Traditional Wellness Center is a far cry from his boarding school in Thailand, but the lessons he learned still are a part of his everyday work there.

The Touch of Thai owner was looking to go low key and calm when he created his center, he said, although the dizzying array of services provided at 216 W. First St. doesnt necessarily give that impression.

Walking in the front doors, a tea shop serving light breakfast and lunch is to the right. To the left, there might be someone playing the piano or someone on a lunch break getting a 5-minute massage.

Cooking classes will be offered in the back kitchen. Yoga, Zumba and meditation classes are provided upstairs in a large open room with old hardwood floors that also can be rented out for banquets.

The idea behind the Traditional Wellness Center is that having multiple revenue sources gives Khuntangta more flexibility.

Plus, he really enjoys the herbalism part. In addition to light food, his Ginkgo Tree Cafe offers herbal tea.

Herbalism is so complicated, Khuntangta said, as ginger, lemon grass and turmeric steeped in hot water in a glass teapot in front of him. Its not hard, but theres so much.

Khuntangta received his bachelors in political science and masters in international relations, and hes attending Thai alternative medicine school. Hes finished 3 years and has 2 to go.

Thats why he decided to team up with Carol Krueger, a KSB Hospitalpharmacist and fellow herbalist. Krueger actually first learned the trade as well as Tai Chi, yoga and how to give massages from Khuntangta more than 15 years ago.

Read the original:
Traditional with a Thai twist