Sauna whisks / sauna vihta

Slavic, Finnish cultures have been associated with steam baths since time immemorial. There was only a slight retreat from baths during the fascination with France, which preferred perfume over hygiene. Today, we see the spread of sauna use, which has become a symbol of affirming hotel comfort and private home luxury. A visit to the bathhouse is no longer just about cleansing the skin and sauna use is becoming a symbol of comfort, luxury and a kind of ritual. We are introducing more and more all-natural additives. Sauna whisks are a perfect example.

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How to make sauna whisks, brooms

You can find sauna whisks made from various twigs: eucalyptus, maple, oak, alder... In Slavic culture, birch and oak undeniably reign supreme, due to the healing properties of the essential oils and other phytonutrients they contain.

Birch is the most popular raw material for sauna whisks. The leaves contain many essential oils, flavonoids, resins (natural tar), tannins, carotene, ascorbic and nicotinic acids. Already after the second washing of the head you can see that the hair becomes stronger, less brittle, lush, shiny. Birch helps solve skin and cosmetic problems. It treats eczema, inflammation, acne and irritation.Russian beauties have always used birch sauna vihta to remove skin discolouration, including age spots.

The oak in Slavic culture has always been a symbol of strength and a gift to the god Perun. Marrying under an oak tree guaranteed longevity, vitality and fertility. Oak leaves and bark are commonly used in both folk medicine and herbal medicine. Oak tannins, pectin plant carbohydrates cause wounds, excessive sweating. They have strong antiseptic, bactericidal and virucidal effects.

The way sauna whisks or brooms are prepared is extremely important. Hence the often large differences in their prices. Properly prepared sauna whisks last a long time and "do not lose their leaves". Sauna whisks, depending on the climate zone, are harvested between May and the end of July. They grow best in dense, thickets of mixed forest. Never take the easy way out and collect them along roads, as they absorb heavy metals from exhaust fumes. There are many things you mustn't.... You must not collect them after it rains, although many collectors do, because the twigs are washed and no extra work is needed. Twigs must not be dried in the sun, but slowly in the shade. You need a selection of young, freshly grown, straight, thin shoots without buds. This is why we deliberately choose the scrubland of the Central Siberian Highlands for our harvest. We always take twigs at most 2-3 years old, but no younger than a year old. We look for low branches, the highest ones are too 'biting'. By following these rules, our sauna whisks are of high quality and weight. In addition, our sauna whisks are not "skimpy", which makes them stand out from competing products at first glance.