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With light steam: aromatic herbs for the bath. What herbs should I brew for a bath? What herbs to steam for a bath

The main difference between a Russian bath and a Finnish sauna is the use of medicinal herbs and tree leaves, used in various decoctions and tinctures, which can be applied to the hot stones of the heater, enjoying their healing, healing steam.

The simplest recipe is an infusion of a broom, which you will use for steaming. As a rule, before use, the broom is soaked in a basin or bucket. The resulting infusion can be poured onto the stones.

Often beer or kvass is used to produce steam. The aroma from them is very pleasant - it smells like freshly baked bread. But under no circumstances should you pour undiluted kvass or beer onto the stones. In this case, you will not get steam, but smoke - suffocating, caustic, which is difficult to get rid of. To create aromatic steam, you can also use many aromatic substances that are always at hand, for example, dried mustard powder and burnt sugar (they are used no 1 tablespoon per 5 liters of water), or instant coffee (1 teaspoon per 5 liters of water ), or 0.5 teaspoons of honey per 3 liters of water, 7-10 drops of menthol (or mint infusion) per 3 liters of water, or 0.5 teaspoons of eucalyptus infusion (or 5 drops of eucalyptus oil) per 3 liters of water . The use of various medicinal plants provides a significantly greater healing effect.

With a runny nose and sore throat, the aroma of eucalyptus leaves will help. They contain 40 components of the most beneficial essential oils and also have bactericidal properties..

For skin problems, an infusion of chamomile or walnut leaves is effective. The latter has anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, astringent properties, improves metabolism in skin diseases.

Poultices and lotions made from chamomile are used to treat skin inflammation and even eczema. It is rich in essential oil, vitamin C, carotene, and has anti-inflammatory, diaphoretic, and antiseptic properties. Its infusion also helps with sore throat. Chamomile is also widely known in cosmetics. Wash your hair with chamomile infusion to get rid of dandruff and give your hair a golden color, shine, and softness.

Mint aroma will help with neurotic conditions, high blood pressure, and diseases of the liver and gastrointestinal tract. Peppermint tea eliminates nausea, heartburn, and belching. Kvass infused with mint is very useful in the bath.

Infusions of thyme (thyme) will add a special, healing aroma to the steam room. They wash their hair with it to get rid of dandruff. The plant has disinfectant properties and helps with nervous fatigue, colds, and intestinal diseases. Baths with thyme infusion are taken for joint pain. Hot applications (in the form of a paste) of this herb are used for radiculitis.

It is useful to rinse your mouth with thyme infusion for throat diseases, and also use it as douching for various female diseases. When taking thyme decoctions or tea, you should remember that they are contraindicated during pregnancy, cardiac decompensation, kidney and liver diseases.

Oregano (motherland) is an indispensable plant in the bathhouse. Light steam with its aroma has many healing properties: it has a beneficial effect on the nervous system, increases sweating, helps with diseases of the lungs, gastrointestinal tract, and various female diseases. It is effective for runny nose and headache. Oregano is included in anti-cough (chest) teas, diaphoretic and carminative teas, and gargling mixtures. A decoction of coltsfoot with the addition of nettle is an excellent remedy for dandruff and hair loss.

Sage is also useful in a bath; its leaves are rich in many beneficial substances, including essential oil. The aroma of sage will help with colds, stomach diseases, and mild forms of diabetes. Baths with sage infusion are recommended for skin diseases. You need to use sage in a bath in small quantities, best in combination with other herbs, as it reduces sweating. And if you have kidney inflammation or a severe cough, taking medications with sage orally is contraindicated.

Blackcurrant leaves will create a special aroma in the bath - they are not only fragrant, but also rich in ascorbic acid and essential oils. This steam is useful for rheumatism, arthritis, headaches, and colds. An infusion of black currant leaves has diaphoretic and tonic properties.

Using the properties of various herbs, you can create “bouquets” of aromatic herbs as you wish, depending on your health.

A person can recharge with vigor or even be cured of ailments if he uses a special bath infusion of herbs - at the same time, the baths produce healing steam.

Types of infusions

Based on their effect on the body, drugs are divided into 3 types:

  1. With a calming effect - has a beneficial effect on the nervous system. As a rule, this type of preparation includes herbs such as chamomile, thyme, green pine needles, birch buds, mint, motherwort, oregano, etc.
  2. Antiseptic infusions, which are prepared on the basis of medicinal herbs with a disinfecting effect. Namely: sage, yarrow, juniper, chamomile, eucalyptus, thyme, calendula and black poplar. In order to obtain a disinfectant infusion, you can use mint, thyme, sage and eucalyptus in equal quantities. It is better to use it first to destroy germs in the steam room.
  3. Tonic herbal bath infusions stimulate the central nervous system. They are used to make antimicrobial, sedative, antipyretic and tonic drugs. Namely: bison grass, tansy, poplar buds, burdock root, lavender, eucalyptus, mint, etc.

Effects of herbs


Many plants have a positive effect on the body:

  • black currant leaves – help relieve cold symptoms;
  • mint – has a calming and uplifting effect;
  • oregano – helps cure respiratory diseases, strengthens the nervous system;
  • eucalyptus - especially useful for children, treats sinusitis and sinusitis;
  • linden - makes you sweat well at the right moment;
  • wormwood – relieves drowsiness and fatigue;
  • St. John's wort - has a beneficial effect on skin diseases;
  • chamomile – has a calming and tonic effect;
  • yarrow – promote wound healing;
  • pine needles – to relieve stress and strengthen the nervous system;
  • hops – causes a surge of energy.

If herbal infusions for a bath are made from the above plants, you can achieve the desired result. First you need to decide and set a goal for what exactly the infusion is needed. It is better to use the products for their intended purpose and as needed.

Pick up herbs


Bathhouse owners usually know how to infuse drugs in a water bath in order to improve their health, but they recommend deciding on a personal “bouquet” of herbs for infusion:

  • to relieve stress and relax, you should choose chamomile, mint, lavender, valerian;
  • to cheer up and relieve fatigue - laurel, St. John's wort, pine, citrus peels;
  • if you want to get rid of skin diseases or for rejuvenation - burdock, chamomile, hops, oak bark;
  • For cosmetic purposes, sage, plantain, cornflowers, wild rosemary, garden lily, rose, and calendula are used.

For the respiratory tract


For bronchial asthma or other respiratory diseases, an infusion of herbs for a bath according to a recipe containing an equal amount of components will help.

Compound

  • wild rosemary;
  • calendula flowers;
  • plantain leaves;
  • coltsfoot leaves;
  • peppermint herb;
  • chamomile flowers;
  • tricolor violet grass;
  • anise fruit.

Preparation

  1. With a slide of 2 tbsp. l. pour boiling water over the mixture of all herbs - 1.5 tbsp.
  2. Leave in a water bath.
  3. Leave for another 5 minutes.
  4. Strain through triple cheesecloth.
  5. Dilute with hot water 1:5.

Universal infusion for baths


Often used as an antiseptic. But the composition allows you to use it in any other cases.

Compound

  • mint;
  • oregano;
  • chamomile flowers;
  • juniper sprig;
  • thyme;
  • a sprig of black currant;
  • eucalyptus leaves;
  • black poplar buds.

Preparation

  1. 3 tbsp. l. pour 1.5 tbsp of boiling water over a mixture of equal amounts of all these herbs.
  2. Keep in a water bath for 5 minutes.
  3. Leave for 30 minutes.
  4. Strain.
  5. Dilute with hot water 1:10 before use.

Contraindications


There are some diseases for which you should not use bath infusions:

  • diseases of the cardiovascular system;
  • angina pectoris;
  • It is not recommended to take a steam bath at the height of viral diseases, when the body is weakened;
  • if you have epilepsy, steam rooms should be avoided;
  • for diseases of the spinal cord and brain, you should consult a doctor;
  • It is not recommended to use baths for health purposes for pregnant and lactating women, as well as children.

Before using bath infusions, it would be a good idea to make sure there are no allergies and consult a doctor.

Unlike the sauna, Russian baths are always used not only for washing, but also for healing the body. For this, in addition to a broom, steaming and decoctions from extracts of many plants, including medicinal ones, are used. Healing substances with steam instantly enter the lungs and then into the blood. In addition, the aroma released by herbs creates a unique bouquet of odors in the steam room.

Many plants used for steaming and decoction can be collected next to the summer cottage, or directly on it. It is better to go out to collect in the first half of the day, so that the herbs are completely dry from the dew, but have not yet given up their essential odorous substances to the sun. All harvested herbs must be clean and absolutely untouched by insects. Herbs are collected before the peak of plant flowering, when they contain a maximum of active components.

Steamer for the bath

Steaming for a bath is a mixture of dried medicinal herbs and plants, ground to a size of 5-10 mm. Drying herbs should be done in a dry, dark room with good air ventilation. After the drying process is completed, the herbs are packaged in glass jars, covered with tight lids and placed in a cool, dark place.

Mixing collections or storing them strictly according to the type of plant is an individual matter. There is one thing in common: be sure to stick labels on the jars indicating the time of collection, because... The shelf life of herbs varies. A collection of herbs, flowers, and leaves lasts no more than 1 - 2 years. A collection of fruits and berries is stored for 3 - 4 years.

Before steaming in a bathhouse, the mixture of dried herbs is placed in a bag made of natural, undyed canvas fabric. The bag is placed in a tub of hot water and steamed for 15 minutes. After which, this water is thrown onto the stones of the sauna stove.

Decoction for bath

It is best to prepare a decoction of medicinal herbs for a bath, using several components. Usually the decoction is prepared in the following proportion - for 3 - 4 liters of water you need to take 70 - 100 grams of a mixture of various medicinal plants. The mixture of dry herbs is poured into an enamel bowl, then poured with boiling water and put on fire.

After the water boils, you need to reduce the burner heat to a minimum. And leave to infuse for 5 - 7 minutes. Next, you need to cool the broth without opening the lid of the pan. And then it must be strained through a double layer of gauze. The resulting decoction should be stored in a cool, dark place for no longer than two days.

The resulting broth is thrown onto the hot stones of the sauna stove.

Herbs for steaming and decoction for baths

Mint



Field mint is considered one of the most useful plants for a bath. It is an excellent stimulator of brain activity and also expands the airways, which makes it indispensable for colds. Mint perfectly relieves swelling, headaches and promotes digestion. In addition, mint has a pleasant, incomparable smell.

If you want to relieve irritation and refresh your skin, then take mint with you. Also, this herb will help you eliminate all incipient colds. Mint has a good effect on the respiratory tract.

St. John's wort


By itself, a decoction of St. John's wort, when applied to stones in a bathhouse, does not give a strong odorous odor, but together with other herbs it creates a kind of “bouquet”. But most importantly, St. John's wort adds many physiologically active substances to the bath steam.

Chamomile



Chamomile is irreplaceable in the bath. Its flowers are rich in essential oil, vitamin C and carotene. Chamomile strengthens the immune system and helps fight infection. It can be used to calm the body after a hard day at work. Chamomile is a wonderful antiseptic and also has a calming effect.

Sagebrush



Wormwood relieves fatigue, drowsiness and helps get rid of fine wrinkles. Using wormwood for a bath, with the help of essential oils contained in the plant, you can improve memory, relieve headaches, increase efficiency, and get rid of nervous and muscle tension.

Hop



And if after the bath you want to go somewhere, then use hops during the bath procedure. He will give you strength.

Linden



And if you are worried about insomnia, then linden will help you. Linden can be used as aromatherapy. After this smell, you will have a good sleep. Linden will speed up the process of sweating and help those who want to lose weight.

Yarrow



The aroma of yarrow will help with problem skin. Cracks and small wounds will quickly heal and the skin will become soft and tender.

Horseradish



Horseradish steam will help you fight colds. Pour the horseradish tincture into the oven. A pleasant smell of forest, nature, horseradish will immediately appear. Inhale these pleasant smells, and then you won’t care about any cold.

Valerian


Valerian helps strengthen the cardiovascular system and also has a calming effect on the nervous system. The use of valerian should be considered carefully, since not every person has a positive attitude towards this plant.

Black currant



Blackcurrant leaves also help with colds and restore strength after a serious illness with the flu.

Spruce and pine needles



Inhaling air filled with aromatic pine vapors calms the nerves, increases the overall tone of the body and has a beneficial effect on the human respiratory organs. Being an excellent inhaler, essential oils of coniferous plants have an antimicrobial and disinfectant effect on the body.

The Russian bath, famous for its healing effects, becomes even more beneficial if various fragrant and medicinal plants are used correctly in it. Herbs in the steam room can be used in several ways. They are good as part of a prefabricated bath broom, with which you can improve the condition of the skin on the body. It’s also great to treat various pulmonary diseases and colds with herbal infusions and decoctions. To do this, the tincture is poured onto hot stones placed on a stove in a steam room to create a fragrant, thick steam. It is no less useful to refresh yourself in the dressing room with various drinks prepared on the basis of medicinal plants. The greatest benefit from bath herbs can be obtained if you immediately use the entire complex of bath products with them.

Many medicinal herbs are sold in the form of infusions in pharmacy chains. But how interesting and useful it is to prepare, store and then brew healthy drinks from your own collected plants and knit bath brooms with your own hands. This way you will get the maximum benefit and, perhaps, acquire a new exciting hobby. Start by learning which plants are best for wellness and how to use them.

Healing herbs for treatment and healing in the bath

Our region is unusually rich in medicinal plants, which reveal their medicinal properties to the maximum in the conditions of a Russian steam room. Since ancient times, people have used the following types of herbs in the steam room:

  • sagebrush;
  • peppermint and field mint;
  • chamomile;
  • Linden blossom;
  • yarrow;
  • horseradish;
  • black currant;
  • pine;
  • hop;
  • St. John's wort.

Wormwood is effectively used to treat wounds, various bruises and ulcers formed on the skin. In the bath, it relieves fatigue well, drives away sleep and invigorates. Essential oils released by wormwood under the influence of high temperatures in a steam room stimulate human performance, reduce absent-mindedness and strengthen memory. In addition, if you suffer from chronic migraines, a bath with wormwood spirit will relieve headaches. After severe nervous tension or heavy physical work, a steam room with this healing herb will help to restore the body faster. Women are recommended to use wormwood extract in a bath to smooth out small wrinkles.

Peppermint or arborvitae are good for stimulating brain activity. If you have a brainstorming session or another serious task ahead of you, take a steam bath with mint in advance - and you will be guaranteed good performance. It is also good to treat colds with mint, since mint vapors expand the airways and make it easier for a person to breathe. This effect is achieved due to the high content of menthol in mint, which has an antiseptic effect. Mint also helps relieve headaches, reduces swelling of body tissues and stimulates the digestive system, which allows you to quickly lose weight.

Mint is a universal herb that can be added to teas to refresh yourself in a bathhouse, as well as in decoctions or steamings.

Medicinal chamomile can be included in bath brooms, as it contains a large amount of vitamins and essential oils. In particular, carotene and vitamin C strengthen the immune system and can suppress infections. To treat diseases of the respiratory system and relieve fatigue, it is recommended to use chamomile tinctures for a bath.

And to speed up the healing of wounds and ulcers on the body, experts advise using chamomile bath whisks in the steam room. Just don’t use them to whip yourself in areas with damaged skin. You can only stroke it and apply it to sore spots.

Flowering linden branches can also be used for knitting brooms for a bath, and the linden blossom itself can be added to teas and decoctions. The aroma of linden blossom has a calming effect on the central nervous system. If you regularly visit the bathhouse and use a linden broom in it, you will notice how your sleep has normalized. Essential oils released by linden flowers and leaves stimulate active sweating, which is especially useful for those who want to lose weight.

Benefits for skin and lungs

Yarrow is recommended to be used in a bath if there is a need to cure skin diseases. The essential oils released by this herb when steamed soothe and heal problematic skin. After just one bath procedure with yarrow, you can notice that the number of cracks and wounds on the skin has decreased. The surface of the body becomes softer and more elastic. Often in the bathhouse they use a prefabricated broom made from tansy and yarrow.

Horseradish - in dried or fresh form - is effective in the fight against colds. In order to cure acute respiratory infections, it is recommended to inhale steam with essential substances released by this plant in a bathhouse. To do this, a herbal decoction or infusion of fresh horseradish leaves is poured onto the stove stones. If you regularly perform this procedure in the bathhouse, regardless of a cold, then you will strengthen your immune system, which will make your body more resistant to viruses.

A healing effect can also be achieved with the help of decoctions prepared from black currant leaves. You can use them to make herbal tea. It will help the body weakened after a cold to recover.

Scientists have long proven the extraordinary benefits of inhaling pine aroma for lung health. In bathhouse conditions, characterized by high humidity and high temperature, coniferous branches, in particular pine ones, actively release beneficial phytoncides that fight pathogens. In addition, they reduce stress levels, strengthen nerves and relieve fatigue from heavy physical activity. The steam in the bathhouse, saturated with coniferous phytoncides, disinfects the air, destroying all possible microbes in it. Thanks to this, visiting a steam room has a beneficial effect on the health of a person suffering from rhinitis, tracheitis or bronchitis.

A hop bath should be filled with aromatic steam and not accompanied by a foamy hop-based drink. For bath procedures, so-called hop cones are used, which are considered a strong tonic. If you've had a hard, eventful day, it's time to visit the sauna and grab some hops to relax and restore your energy. To increase vitality, it is enough to steam a few hop cones or add a couple of fragrant shoots to any bath broom.

St. John's wort is famous for its antibacterial properties and antiseptic effects. Bath brooms are prepared from it, and this plant can also be part of a composite broom of several different herbs. Based on it, herbal tea or decoctions for rinsing the body can be prepared.

Proper collection and proper storage of herbs

It is best to use fresh herbs in the bath, as they contain the greatest amount of beneficial substances. But you can delight yourself with fresh plants only for six months, and for the remaining half, dried plants prepared from the summer are also suitable.

How to collect herbs correctly

Recommendations

Why is it important

Experts recommend going to collect plants before lunch. This is the time before the herbs have had time to completely absorb the dew and begin to release aromatic substances under the influence of the sun.
Before picking a plant, carefully inspect and evaluate its appearance. Completely healthy leaves and twigs, untouched by rot and not eaten by insects and other living creatures, are suitable for harvesting.
It is recommended to start collecting herbs before the peak of their flowering, when the content of active components in them is at its maximum. March-April is best for collecting roots, buds and bark. But in the period from May to August you can harvest herbs, leaves, and flowers.

After harvesting, it’s time to properly dry your “harvest,” which determines whether the plants will survive until the winter bath. A dark room with good ventilation is best for drying. Under these conditions, the herbs will not turn black or rot.

The conditions for drying plants depend on their type. If you are dealing with plants rich in essential oils, such as eucalyptus, then they need to be dried slowly at a high temperature of +30... 35 degrees. For convenience, plants are formed in small bunches, tied and suspended from the ceiling, where the temperature is always higher. If the summer is cool, then you will have to think about how to organize artificial heating of the drying room.

Even higher temperatures are required for harvesting herbs with a high content of glycosides. These include plants such as St. John's wort, coltsfoot, tansy and others. They should be dried in an electric dryer at a temperature of +50... 60 degrees.

After the herbs are well dried, they need to be crushed to a size of 5–7 millimeters and packaged in glass jars with tight-fitting lids. These containers should be stored in a cool, dark place. Be sure to stick small pieces of paper on each jar and write on them information about what plant is stored in them and when the preparation was made. Collections of herbs, plant leaves and flowers can be stored for no longer than 2 years.

If you plan to prepare fragrant brooms for the winter, then shape them, tie them and store them hanging so that the foliage is at the bottom and the broom handle is at the top.

Rules for preparing brooms

Bath brooms made from medicinal herbs and fragrant plants

Herbal bath brooms, consisting exclusively of these fragile plants, are extremely rare, because with intensive use they are hardly enough for 5 minutes in the steam room. Therefore, you will often find them in mixed versions, consisting of oak and birch branches, and, say, lemon balm or mint. And some herbs do not need to be included in the brooms at all, but can be “hammered” into the body.

For example, you can take dried, crushed St. John's wort with you to the steam room, sprinkle it on your companion's body in a thick layer and then carefully walk over it with a bath broom. Although St. John's wort can be woven into a traditional birch broom. A few branches of this plant are enough to improve the condition of the skin, speed up the healing of wounds and alleviate the patient’s condition with gout.

In addition to St. John's wort, the following types of herbal brooms are most often used in the bathhouse:

  • eucalyptus;
  • nettle;
  • with valerian;
  • lime;
  • wormwood

A eucalyptus broom will come to the rescue at the first sign of a cold. Branches of an aromatic plant are often added to a birch broom, since its branches are not able to independently provide steamers with a good massage. The main value of this component is in essential oils that have an antibacterial effect. When you inhale eucalyptus vapor several times, you will feel that it immediately becomes easier for you to breathe. And at a deep level of influence, a bath with a eucalyptus broom strengthens the immune system.

It is quite difficult to prepare such a broom on your own in our latitudes. But it can be purchased in specialized stores. If you buy one bunch and divide it into several mixed brooms, you can save a lot and prolong the pleasure of using this fragrant plant.

It won't burn you, but it will help.

Nettle broom is not made as a single component. It is better to form it with birch branches. This option is good for relieving diseases such as:

  • rheumatism;
  • radiculitis;
  • gout;
  • muscle pain;
  • lower back pain;
  • aching joints.

To use nettle broom in a bath without pain, it is important to properly steam this herb so that it does not burn the skin. First, dip the broom in hot and then cold water. Do this procedure several times. Do not keep the herb in each tub for a long time, otherwise it will lose its elastic structure and medicinal properties. After 5–10 minutes of this steaming, you can start steaming with a nettle broom.

Do not throw out the water after steaming the nettle: you can rinse your hair with it after the bath, which will give it strength and a healthy shine. You can also sprinkle the heater with this water to fill the steam room with a pleasant herbal aroma.

You can also weave a few branches of valerian into oak and birch brooms. Just two branches are enough to turn an ordinary bath accessory into an effective remedy for relieving stress and gaining peace of mind. In addition, valerian is considered a very aromatic herb, and therefore relaxing in the bathhouse will turn into aromatherapy.

Linden and flax helpers in the bathhouse

To use in the steam room, linden branches must be cut during the period of active flowering. The essential oils contained in these leaves and flowers effectively soften the skin and even prevent the formation of purulent rashes on it. Before using a linden broom in a bathhouse, you need to steam it in hot water, and then start massaging your body with it. To prevent colds and speed up the recovery process, if a person has already fallen ill with an acute respiratory infection, a steamed broom should be applied to the face and breathed through it for several minutes.

But herbs for wormwood broom need to be harvested during the period after the plant blooms. At the same time, the wormwood stems should not dry out yet. The plant must be stored in a cool place. A one-component broom can be used once. But if you add wormwood branches to birch or oak bundles, the shelf life of the bath accessory can be significantly increased.

How to quench your thirst in the bathhouse

Herbal decoctions for baths, which can be drunk like traditional green tea, will help enhance the healing effect of using healing brooms. For example, to quench your thirst in the rest room, you can prepare a lingonberry drink. To do this, pour 1 tablespoon of dried lingonberry leaf into a thermos and fill it with 200 milliliters of boiling water. If you drink this drink with natural honey, it helps to cope with colds. In addition, this bath infusion has a pronounced diuretic effect, which helps remove excess fluid from the body and relieve swelling. For people trying to lose weight, this option is very good.

To make cranberry tea, mash a tablespoon of fresh or frozen cranberries with two teaspoons of sugar and pour a glass of boiling water. This drink is indicated for people who have problems with appetite. In addition, it will help with colds, as it has an antipyretic effect.

An even simpler recipe is a decoction of St. John's wort. Pour 200 milliliters of boiling water over a teaspoon of chopped dried herbs and cover the container with a lid. After half an hour, strain the liquid and drink the infusion. This drink is famous for its antiseptic effect and normalization of intestinal function.

In pharmacies or specialized stores you can buy ready-made herbal teas, the packaging of which contains clear instructions for preparing health-improving teas.

Before purchasing, be sure to check the composition of the product, as its ingredients affect the therapeutic effect. For example, an antiseptic collection should contain the following components: eucalyptus, shawl, thyme and mint. And in sedatives, look for the following ingredients: chamomile, thyme, mint, birch buds, spruce needles.

Simple recipes for tinctures and steaming for baths

You can not only quench your thirst with tinctures, but also rinse your body with them after relaxing in the steam room. Please note that tinctures for these purposes cannot be prepared with an alcohol base. The healing liquid can be added to the heater to create thick aromatic steam. They need to breathe deeply and calmly in order to saturate the body with useful substances. All decoctions should be prepared from several components in order to increase the range of medicinal properties.

  1. Place the mixture of dried herbs in a large enamel container and pour boiling water over it. For 100 grams of grass you will need 4 liters of boiling water.
  2. After this, put the pan on the fire, bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover the pan with a lid and let simmer for another 5 minutes.
  3. Turn off the heat and let the broth brew a little.
  4. When it has cooled to a comfortable temperature, strain it and you can use it. Any decoction can be stored in the refrigerator for no longer than two days.

Healing infusions for baths are prepared a little differently. The main difference is that fresh herbs are used for infusions, rather than dried. Chop the leaves and add hot water at the rate of 1.5 liters of boiling water per 100 grams of greens. Let it brew for 30-40 minutes, and then strain and can use. Another simple cooking method does not involve long cooking. Grind the herb and cover it with cold water, and then let it brew for at least 10 hours. After this, strain the liquid and pour into a glass container that can be tightly closed with a lid. In the bathhouse, dilute this tincture with a small amount of boiling water and then pour it onto the heater.

Herbal steaming has been used in Russian baths for a long time. They are prepared as follows. Place a small mixture of crushed herbs (no more than 150 grams) in a bag made from natural, undyed fabric. Next, place it in a bowl of hot water and let it steam for 20 minutes. Then pour water from the bowl onto the heater, and place the bag near the stove so that it emits phytoncides.

If you need to cope with skin ailments and lung diseases, then prepare a steaming based on mint, eucalyptus, thyme and sage. Take this bag and steaming water with you on your first visit to the steam room. Then the therapeutic steam will disinfect your skin.

And for relaxation, make a steamer from the following ingredients:

  • chamomile;
  • thyme;
  • mint;
  • spruce needles.

A tonic steaming is prepared on the basis of poplar buds, tansy flowers, jasmine, lavender, bison. If you always feel weak in the steam room, this herbal collection will save you from this side effect of the bath. Possible contraindications to the use of herbs in the bath depend on a person’s individual intolerance to strong odors or an allergic reaction. In addition, you need to use valerian in a steam room with caution, since not everyone can stand the specific smell of this plant.

Using fragrant herbs in a Russian bath helps to cope with many diseases, but in a sauna it is better to abandon this folk method of healing. Hot, dry air can make strong aromas cloying, which can make people who are steaming sick feel sick. And there will be no harm from pouring healthy decoctions based on medicinal herbs in a Finnish steam room.

is one of the most healing recipes used in a bath or sauna. It’s easy to prepare and, most importantly, it can be done all year round. Even our distant ancestors used a decoction of pine needles not only to treat, but also to create a unique forest aroma in the steam room.

Inhaling air filled with aromatic pine vapors calms our nerves, increases the overall tone of the body and has a beneficial effect on humans. Being an excellent inhaler, essential oils of coniferous plants have an antimicrobial and disinfectant effect on the body. And for tuberculosis patients, the aromas of pine forest air are especially beneficial. One can cite many beneficial properties of this miraculous gift of nature, but it is necessary to mention that its infusions are indispensable in the treatment of diseases such as scurvy, hepatitis, bronchitis, rheumatism, gout and many others. Just look at the list of vitamins contained in spruce or pine needles - these include vitamins A, C, B1, B2 and P.

It is impossible to give all the recipes for decoctions of pine needles, accumulated over the centuries-old history of their use. I will give only those that are used in the bathhouse to aromatize the air in the steam room.

  1. On milk.
    • Needed: tops of young pine branches - 15-20 pieces.
    • Boil milk in an enamel bowl, throw in the tops of pine branches and boil for another 20 minutes.
    • Let sit for an hour and a half.
    • Pour the broth through cheesecloth into another container, add boiled water in a ratio of 1 part broth to 3-4 parts water.
    • Ready.
  1. On pine buds.
    • Needed: one tbsp. spoon of pine buds.
    • Pour one glass of water, boil and keep on low heat for 15 minutes.
    • Let stand for 3 hours.
    • Strain through cheesecloth.
  1. On winter needles.
    • Needed: 0.5 kg of young pine or Christmas tree shoots.
    • Place all the pine needles in a saucepan and add 1.5 liters of boiled water at room temperature. Place on the stove and heat to a boil.
    • Leave the boiled broth to cool and infuse for 4 hours.
    • Filter, pour into bottles and store.

To use prepared decoctions in a bathhouse, you need to dilute them in a bowl of hot water and then pour this liquid onto hot stones. The concentration of the decoction in the water is regulated experimentally and according to the sensations of the steamer himself.

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