Which sauna suits you?
The thermometer shows 90 degrees, the stove hisses, and Buddha is smiling in front of the window. There is something reassuring about watching him smile, while even the sweat drips from his chin and the scent of citrus flatters his nose and soul. Spas, saunas and gyms rely on the meditative peace and have brought a bit of the Far East into cold Germany. But not only Asian saunas seduce you to relax: in Turkey, to Ireland or Finland one simply shuffles in flip-flops. The best of a few millennia of international "sweat history" see, smell and feel relaxation seekers in the large wellness facilities. What can the different saunas and baths do for you?
I want to refresh myself and relax my muscles!
There is the Irish steam bath exactly the right thing. Because there the temperature is only 45 to 60 degrees, but the humidity is extremely high: up to 100 percent. This creates a warm and humid climate, which can be tolerated well. Nevertheless, visitors should not stay longer than in the sauna (ie at most 12 to 15 minutes). Joints and muscles become more mobile and the skin is cleansed.
I want to gently care for my beauty!
Then you should do it with the Banja to attempt. There the Russians sweat at about 70 degrees heat and quite humid air. Especially pleasant: On the stove in the middle of the room is a kettle with birch branches. The birch sud smells wonderful and should also be good for the skin and hair. During a real Russian banja ritual, the sweaty pat each other with the soaked birch branches; that stimulates blood circulation. An ice-grind and the tea ceremony finish the ritual.
I want to give my soul a break!
Ideal is the mystical Sweat Lodge, It is supposed to be over 4000 years old, the Indian sweat lodge ritual. The process: In the tepee, a tent made of wooden poles, blankets and skins, hot red stones are piled up. The master of ceremonies makes an infusion with water and herbal oils. After about 15 minutes the participants leave the tent and cool off in the air. Often, the ceremony is associated with ritual actions that are intended to drive out evil spirits. The physical effect of Sweatlodge is similar to that of the steam bath or the Banja.
I want to strengthen my immune system!
Sweat in the Finnish sauna, Your data: between 80 and 100 degrees hot, with relatively low humidity. This combination of high temperature and low steam sweats pretty fast. And that's good for your health: In numerous research, doctors have proven that regular visits to the Finnish sauna can strengthen the immune system, cleanse the skin and even, at least in the short term, lower blood pressure.
I want a skin like velvet and silk!
Try the Egyptian Rasul Bath (Rhassoul). This healing earth treatment comes from the land of the pharaohs. The principle: A lifeguard, the partner or the partner rubs the guest with different Heilschlämmen on the whole body. Then off to herbal steam. After a short period of getting used to it, the mud is gently rubbed in again so that its active ingredients unfold. Finally, a shower, then it's off to the rest room. The combination of mud, heat and moisture dissolves muscle cramps, stimulates the immune system and cleanses the skin very gently.
I want deep cleansing and muscle relaxation!
That's in Turkish Hamam, The hammam ritual can take 45 minutes or more. At first, visitors relax in the relaxation room at room temperature, then relax in a 40-degree warm room. Then they go into the steam bath, where they sit for about 20 minutes in damp heat. Now the Tellak calls the guest to the massage bench, kneads the body, rubs it with soap and with a goat hair glove off. Hammam fans rave about the fact that the muscles are wonderfully relaxed and the skin shimmers rosy.
I want to heat up my body!
Choose the Erd (wall) sauna, It is partially embedded in the ground, often the roof is green. Its walls are made of old pine wood, in the middle of the room burns an open wood fire. This exudes pleasant woody odor and lets the temperatures rise to over 100 degrees. The humidity is very low, which is why the heat can be tolerated well. The earth sauna is good for the immune system and the skin.
Beware, infusion!
From eucalyptus to ginger to lemon - in almost all saunas, the lifeguard gives aroma oil into the infusion water. Professor Dietrich Wabner, chemist at the Technical University of Munich and an expert on essential oils, sees this trend critically.
ChroniquesDuVasteMonde: What can aroma oils in the sauna do?
Prof.Wabner: A lot. Because the higher the heat, the more intense the effect of the oil on the person. It gets into the skin and the respiratory tract much faster than rubbing it in at room temperature. The problem is that up to 20 people sit in a sauna room. Everyone has individual needs, illnesses, sensitivities. So it may be that five people benefit from a certain infusion oil and five others suffer from it. The danger of aroma infusions should not be underestimated. For example, if you suffer from high blood pressure and then get into a sauna that is infused with rosemary oil, it can increase your blood pressure so much that you can, in extreme cases, die.
ChroniquesDuVasteMonde: How do you use aromatic oils in the sauna?
Prof. Wabner: From the same oil for everyone in the infusion water, I advise. But if you apply the oils specifically, you can use the stronger effect positively for yourself. Clarify with an aromatherapist which oils are good for you. And massage them before the sauna session - on your back or arms. That way you can do something good for yourself. And the other sauna visitors are happy because it smells so good. Do not worry, the dose your neighbors get is low. So you are not a threat to the health of other guests.
