Bath brooms

Taking a steam bath is not only pleasant, but also very beneficial for the body. Under the influence of moist hot air, blood circulation is accelerated, the pores of the epidermis open, through them slags, toxins are removed and other harmful substances. A broom is an indispensable attribute of a Russian steam room. It is a bundle of dried herbs, tree branches. The broom is harvested from various plant materials: birch branches, wormwood, oak branches, nettle, eucalyptus.

The benefits of a broom in the bath

Dried branches and stems of trees and plants contain a lot of essential oils, phytohormones, vitamins and minerals. After steaming, the leaves are able to release beneficial components to the skin. A broom is used to massage the whole body, it has a relaxing effect on the body. Essential oils help accelerate metabolism, prevent premature aging.

Phytoncides have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. If, after a steam room with a broom, you douse yourself with cold water, then the vessels sharply narrow, the cardiac system is trained. Blood flow and lymph flow is accelerated, the body's water-salt balance is restored.

When patted with a broom, the effect is obtained peeling, dead skin cells are exfoliated. The epidermis is renewed, it becomes smooth and even. Exposure to the broom improves the functioning of the joints, helps with radiculitis and arthritis. Oak products are effective with skin rashes.

For the male reproductive system, going to the steam room with a broom is an effective procedure. With a nettle broom, it is possible to improve the work of nerve endings, blood vessels in the groin area. As a result, sexual function is improved, and problems with premature ejaculation are reduced. The antibacterial effect of a broom is important for promiscuous men.

Broom massage reduces muscle tension, relieves hypertonicity. As a result, the pressure on the nerve cells of the spine decreases and the back pain disappears. After the steam room, the level of sweating increases, this contributes to the elimination of excess fluid and weight loss.

Birch broom for a bath

The most common in Russia was a birch broom. Bath procedures with it are recommended for respiratory diseases. The birch scent improves the functioning of the small alveoli of the lungs, bronchi, facilitates the discharge of sputum, and improves ventilation of the lungs. Birch leaves contain tannins, flavonoids, vitamin C. They increase perspiration, cleanse the skin of toxins, and accelerate metabolic processes. Natural ingredients have wound healing, anti-inflammatory and diaphoretic effects.

You need to cut branches for a broom on Trinity or after it. The day should be dry and sunny. After the dew dries, the branches are cut and fastened into bunches. Weeping young birches are better suited for harvesting. They have thin twigs with young leaves.

Brooms are dried first in a draft, after a week they are placed on shelves in a barn or dressing room.

The bunches must be constantly turned over so that they take the shape of a fan, not panicles. Thicker branches are placed inside the bundle. When properly harvested, birch branches are particularly soft and flexible, they retain a maximum of useful substances. You can use a broom in a bathhouse twice.

Oak broom for a bath

A fragrant broom made of oak twigs is useful for owners of oily skin. The large amount of tannins in the leaves provides an antibacterial effect. They increase the density of the skin and make it smooth. Small pustules and rashes go away faster. Sebum production is normalized, greasy shine decreases. Phytoncides, flavonoids penetrate the epidermis through the pores, improve vascular tone and the state of the nervous system.

Oak branches are harvested for a broom in August and September. The broom leaves are large, moderately dry and dense, and it is easy to make steam with them. The broom is durable and can be used in the bath 3-4 times.

Massage of feet with oak brooms is recommended in case of excessive sweating of the feet. Tannins normalize perspiration, heal small cracks and inflammation.

Eucalyptus broom for a bath

Brooms made of eucalyptus twigs are regularly used in the Caucasus. The leaves of the tree contain 1-3% of essential oils by weight. Eucalyptus vapors are recommended for colds and viral diseases of the respiratory system, throat. Press the brewed broom to your face for 5 minutes and breathe in the steam through your nose. The water in which the broom is brewed should be moistened with the walls and stones in the bath. So the aroma will spread better through the steam room, the therapeutic effect will be maximum.

The most suitable month for harvesting branches is August. Eucalyptus branches are thin and flexible, the broom turns out to be weak. In the steam room, you have to make an effort to steam. To increase the usability of eucalyptus brooms, birch or oak branches are added to them.

Nettle broom

A medicinal broom can be made from stinging nettles. The plant contains a large amount of formic acid, which helps with diseases of the musculoskeletal system. The raw material should be mature plants cut in dry weather and well dried. The bundle is knitted small, it is very important to prepare it correctly.

So that the plant does not burn the skin, before the steam room, it is soaked in turn in basins of hot and cold water. If it is necessary for the nettle to burn the skin, then use only a basin with hot water and soak the brooms in it for 1-2 minutes.

A bath with a nettle broom is recommended for the following diseases: sciatica, gout, back pain, rheumatism, skin rashes. The wound healing effect of nettle is used when boils appear on the skin. After the nettle massage, blood pressure is normalized, stress and nervous tension are relieved, the skin is cleansed, and sleep is normalized.

Coniferous broom

Coniferous brooms are used by people who visit the bathhouse regularly. Spruce, fir, cedar twigs contain many phytoncides that have antibacterial and antiviral effects.

Here are the special properties of coniferous brooms:

• Juniper broom is effective in combating diseases of the respiratory system, lungs, radiculitis and diseases of the nervous system. The massage will improve the functioning of the digestive system and intestines. But such a broom cannot be used for delicate skin.
• Products made from fir and cedar are indicated for the treatment of diseases of the genitourinary system, kidneys, viral and colds, rheumatic fever.
• Spruce helps with colds, coughs.

Collecting coniferous branches for brooms is allowed at any time of the year.

You need to choose young side legs with delicate needles. Freshly tied brooms must be steamed with boiling water before use. It is better for them to take a steam bath after the second call, when the skin is steamed and became elastic.

How to choose a broom for a bath

When choosing a broom, you need to proceed from personal preferences and the desired effect. If you rarely go to the bathhouse, then birch or oak will be optimal. For experienced bath attendants, nettle and coniferous products are suitable. After the first massage session, the reaction of the skin to a specific type of twigs should be noted in order to prevent allergic reactions. Mixed brooms have the maximum therapeutic effect.

The finished broom should be well dried and tightly tied. Its branches should not be too long, brittle, thin. Products with a length of 45-55 cm are considered the most convenient. Such a broom is inconvenient to use, you need to swing hard, which will quickly tire the attendant.

Shake the broom before buying. The product is worth buying if the leaves have not fallen off, do not have plaque and mold. But the best broom can be made with your own hands.