Which herbs to use in a banya: benefits and brewing rules
A visit to the banya is both a hygiene and a health boost, a way to relax and recharge. Aromatherapy is an important part of Russian, Siberian, and Central Asian banya traditions. Natural herbal extracts and aromas create the unique atmosphere of a wood-fired banya and can literally work miracles. Properly selected and brewed herbs improve mood, help cope with skin conditions, strengthen the immune system, and relieve stress.
In this article, we’ll discuss which herbs to use in a banya, how to properly prepare them, and how to make infusions.
What are the benefits of herbs in a sauna?
Under the influence of high temperatures, herbs and sauna whisks release essential oils and substances that have a beneficial effect on several body systems:
Skin. Steaming promotes increased sweating, opens and cleanses pores, making the skin more receptive to restorative treatments and cosmetics. Steam with medicinal herbs is especially beneficial for problem skin (acne, eczema, etc.). After several sauna sessions, visible symptoms of illnesses are reduced, sweat gland function and moisture levels are normalized, and metabolic processes are improved.
Respiratory system. Inhaling herbal aromas in a sauna provides natural inhalation therapy. The hot steam increases oxygen consumption, reduces respiratory muscle tone, increases pulmonary ventilation, and normalizes breathing. Inhaling sauna herbs also helps relieve residual coughs, accelerates mucus removal, and moisturizes mucous membranes.
Nervous system. The hot air of the steam room, combined with aromatherapy, promotes relaxation, reduces muscle pain, reduces stress, and normalizes psycho-emotional states—thus relieving nervous and mental tension.
Which herbs affect the body and how?
Each herb has a distinctive aroma and properties. To know which herbs to use in a banya, focus on the desired effect. For example, if you need to invigorate and relieve chronic fatigue, nettle is suitable, while oregano will help you calm down and feel at peace with the world.
We’ll explain the benefits of the most popular herbs in a Russian banya..
Melissa
Melissa, or lemon balm, is a sweet-smelling herb. It’s ideal for use as a steam infusion in the sauna: it fills the air with a pleasant aroma, normalizes heart rate, reduces emotional and physical stress, restores strength, and increases productivity. Melissa infusions have virtually no contraindications and can be used alone or in combination with other medicinal herbs.
In Siberia, lemon balm, combined with oregano, mint, and wormwood, is an important part of the first steam in the «Kurnaya Izba» sauna. The aroma of the smoke sauna and the herbal infusion has a beneficial effect on the respiratory system, helping to relax and prepare for the next stages of relaxation and a vibrant steam bath.
Chamomile
Chamomile is used more often than other herbs in sauna treatments. The infusion is poured onto the sauna stove and walls, and a dried bouquet of chamomile flowers is hung from the ceiling or added to the bath whisk.
Chamomile aromatherapy helps combat various infections, inflammations, and nervous tension, and is ideal for relaxation rituals. Chamomile infusions are beneficial for strengthening and stimulating hair growth and cleansing the skin. Chamomile infusions can be used year-round, but are especially beneficial during cold and flu season.
Sage
Sage is an excellent complement to the Russian wood-fired banya. Its leaves contain many beneficial phytochemicals and valuable essential oils. Inhalations with sage improve breathing, calm the nervous system, and are a powerful preventative against tuberculosis. Washing with sage infusions is beneficial for skin conditions because:
it normalizes sebaceous gland function;
it accelerates skin regeneration;
it leaves the skin soft and healthy-looking.
The plant reduces sweating, so it is recommended to use it in small quantities in the banya and in combination with other medicinal herbs. However, if you suffer from kidney inflammation or a severe cough, it’s best to avoid sage aromatherapy.
Nettle
Nettle is widely used in cosmetology, therapy, and sauna treatments. Many sauna enthusiasts add nettle to their bath whisks, but the plant is also very beneficial for inhalation.
Nettle leaves contain vitamins, mineral salts, and tannins. Using nettle infusions in the steam room helps strengthen the immune system, improve overall well-being, and reduce emotional stress. Regular cleansing with nettle infusion makes the skin supple and firm, relieves irritation, and improves circulation.
Mint
The aroma of mint is perhaps one of the most recognizable in the world, and it is often used in sauna treatments, among other things. Fragrant twigs can be added to an oak or birch whisk, or you can make a separate whisk and use it to cover your face and head during the steam bath. This will protect delicate skin from overheating and allow you to inhale the aromatic steam.
The refreshing scent of mint stimulates circulation, gently calms the nerves, and promotes relaxation. Washing with a cool mint infusion refreshes and tones the skin. Another effective skin treatment is a scrub with mint leaves: they deeply cleanse and nourish the skin with beneficial substances.
At the Siberia bathhouse complex, we use mint for the first steam bath and in cleansing and refreshing treatments. At the Kurnaya Izba, Znakhar, Kochevnik, and Taiga Izba bathhouses, bath treatments begin with an aromatic steam bath with mixed herbs, including mint. A mandatory element of the first steam bath in many of our programs is washing with herbal infusions: mint-raspberry-birch, a decoction of mint, sweet clover, and thyme, a cold infusion of mint and grapefruit, or mint and St. John’s wort.
In our cleansing treatments, which leave our guests feeling calm and tranquil, we use fresh, homemade scrubs with added mint. Natural ingredients stimulate microcirculation, nourish and moisturize the skin, and improve the absorption of beneficial substances.
Wormwood
When we were considering which herbs to use for the Siberia sauna, wormwood was high on the list. This plant tones, calms the nerves, strengthens the immune system, and normalizes the central nervous system. In the sauna, wormwood can be used in decoctions and infusions, added to bath whisks, or hung in the steam room.
A bath whisk with fresh wormwood improves circulation, increases sweating, and boosts metabolism, as massage has a beneficial effect on the skin and relieves muscle tension. It’s best to add wormwood sprigs to classic birch whisks: this will preserve the plant’s beneficial effects but will lessen its pungent odor.
Aromatherapy with wormwood increases productivity, helps reduce anxiety, clear thoughts, and improve concentration. Siberian steam bath masters perform wormwood fumigation using a fan and apply a final steam through wormwood.
However, despite the plant’s many benefits, it should be used with caution in the sauna, preferably after consulting a doctor. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should refrain from using wormwood.
Sweet Clover
Sweet clover is a honey-scented herb that can be used as a bath infusion, as an addition to bath whisks, or simply dried for aromatherapy in the steam room. The plant and its compounds promote relaxation and help relieve stress and nervous tension. Sweet clover infusions can be used as a foot bath, hair rinse, or as a refreshing wash.
Using sweet clover in a steam room creates a sense of peace and helps prepare for relaxing treatments, which is why we use it in the first steaming session at the «Znahar» (Healer) bathhouse in Siberia.
Thyme
Thyme, also known as thyme, is a fragrant herb widely used in teas, infusions, and aromatherapy in the steam room. A steam bath with the addition of thyme strengthens the immune system, increases sweating, and helps combat nervous exhaustion. Thyme infusions are used to wash the hair to improve the condition of the skin and hair and relieve dryness. A rich thyme infusion can help solve sleep problems: visit a sauna in the evening and enjoy the aroma of this medicinal herb. Your sleep will become more restful and deeper.
St. John’s Wort
St. John’s Wort is considered one of the best medicinal herbs. The plant contains a special pigment, or biologically active component, hypericin, which improves the autonomic and central nervous systems and helps fight stress.
Furthermore, St. John’s Wort helps normalize metabolism, reduce pain and spasms, and improves skin condition. St. John’s Wort decoction can be used as a topical compress and as a rinse after a soapy wash.
Tanzsy
Tanzsy is ideal for use in the sauna as a decoction, infusion, or as an ingredient in scrubs and bath whisks. The herb has calming and toning properties, improves skin condition, and, most importantly, is effective against headaches, including migraines.
Crushed tansy mixed with a small amount of sea salt can be used as a scrub. Tansy infusion can be used as a hair rinse: after this treatment, hair becomes shiny and manageable, and the scalp condition is normalized.
Oregano
The healing properties of oregano have long been known: this herb occupies a special place in herbal medicine and sauna treatments. The essential oils contained in the plant saturate the steam and have a powerful healing effect on the body:
normalize the central nervous system;
help with insomnia;
calm and relax;
nourish the skin, accelerating its renewal process;
stimulate the appetite.
But despite its many benefits, sauna treatments with oregano are not suitable for everyone. People with varicose veins and allergy sufferers should use this plant with caution in the sauna. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid using oregano in a sauna.
How to Prepare Herbs for the Sauna
We’ve covered which herbs are beneficial for the sauna. Now let’s talk about how to properly collect and store them.
The herbs are harvested during the flowering period, in the morning. It’s important that the weather is dry and there’s no dew on the herbs. Dry the cut herbs in a dry, well-ventilated area, hanging them in small bunches. They can also be dried unfolded, but in this case, lay them out on cloth or paper, turning them regularly and remembering to change the backing—this will prevent the herbs from rotting and molding.
Dried herbal bouquets are best stored in canvas or burlap bags: they allow air to pass through well and prevent moisture buildup. And don’t forget to prepare tags so you don’t have to guess which herb you’re looking at!
If you’re not up for the hassle of collecting and drying herbs, but still want to enjoy treatments with beneficial herbs, come to Siberia. In our sauna programs, we use environmentally friendly plants grown in the central and southern regions.бири и высушенные специально для вас, с вниманием и любовью.
Preparing a Bath Infusion
Preparing bath infusions is not difficult. The key is to take your time and follow a specific sequence. The infusion can be a single-ingredient herb or include several types of herbs—it all depends on your goals and preferences. The important thing is to use herbs harvested in the summer for the infusion.
Here’s what to do:
Boil water at a rate of 3-4 liters per 100 grams of herbs.
Place the herbs in a saucepan (preferably enamel), pour boiling water over them, and bring to a boil. When the water boils, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and simmer for 5-8 minutes.
Remove the saucepan from the heat, let the infusion steep, and cool.
Afterward, use it in the sauna to improve your health and mood.
Conclusion
Now that you know which herbs to use in a sauna, you can enhance the healing effects of your sauna experience. Properly selected herbal infusions will help you feel better, recharge, and forget about everyday worries for a few hours. The key is to use herbs in moderation.ельного сырья, учитывать противопоказания, а в случае сомнений проконсультироваться с врачом.
