How to properly steep an oak broom for the bath?

One of the main attributes of baths and saunas is the broom. Branches of various trees - birch, linden, mountain ash, fir, juniper and many others - are suitable for making it. A good option is considered a broom made of oak leaves. Let's consider the peculiarities of harvesting raw materials, storage rules and how to properly steep an oak broom for the bath.

It is impossible to imagine a traditional Russian bathhouse without a broom. The accessory made of oak branches has excellent healing properties and special durability. An abundance of tannins has a drying, wound-healing and disinfecting effect and is beneficial for the skin, which is prone to various inflammatory rashes. Breathing in the steam increases immunity, and in case of colds has a therapeutic effect - relieves sore throats, contributes to the quickest elimination of a runny nose and phlegm discharge.

Useful foot baths from the decoction left after steaming brooms - They help with rheumatic pains and such a delicate problem, such as excessive sweating feet. The scent of oak leaves is pleasant and helps to relax. Due to the strength of the branches and the density of the leaves such attribute is suitable for 4-5 uses when visiting the bath. The only disadvantage oak broom, compared to the more popular birch broom, is a tough texture. It produces a very strong wave of hot steam, so it is necessary to be very careful while steaming.

Since ancient times there is a known custom - to prepare brooms for the bath in the first week after the Holy Trinity Day. But by this period, birch leaves usually have time to harden. Raw material for oak brooms should be harvested not earlier than July. The period for harvesting branches may vary slightly from region to region. In southern regions you can cut them at the end of June, but in northern regions they can be harvested in August. Branches of ageing oaks can be harvested before the acorns fall off. It is best to use pruning shears to cut them.

Do not cut branches from trees within the city or near highways. They will not be useful, because the automobile exhaust absorbed by the trees has a negative effect on their condition. To get a good therapeutic effect, you need to stock up on raw materials in forested areas, away from the roads. Branches with three branches are ideal - they are easy to shape, keeping a good look even when dried.

When picking a large number of branches We recommend leaving them in the shade for 30-40 minutes before transporting them.. This will prevent the leaves from overheating and falling off. It is recommended that the raw material brought to the place of storage should be spread thinly for a day so that it dries out a little. To form flat specimens, it is advisable to place them under the press. After the time has elapsed, you can proceed to the knitting of bath paraphernalia. It is possible to perform in the following ways:

• Knitting "Balloon". - Twigs are stacked in a circular sequence, resulting in a loose and voluminous broom;
• "Shovel" - the twigs are stacked tightly on top of each other, in the finished product looks like a dense fan.

To fix the branches, you need to prepare a strong thread-twine or a thin clothesline. Formed brooms dry in a suspended form in a dark and cool place. For drying is enough for about 1 week, after which they are ready for use. Prepared bath accessories should be stored in dry rooms. They remain suitable for 2 years. It is better to wrap them in paper or cotton cloth to prevent dust. A good storage place can be a closed rack, cardboard box or vacuum packing.

Freshly picked broom steams very quickly. It is enough to put it for 3-4 minutes in warm water and start using. But it should be taken into account that it has less health-improving effect if compared to the dry one, so it is recommended to prepare oak branches at least 1 week before visiting the steam room.

The usual procedure of steaming the dried broom is as follows:

1. immersion for 1-2 minutes in a basin of warm water;
2. Dipping for 1-2 minutes in cold water;
3. Soaking in warm water for 5-7 minutes;
4. Adding hot water to a bowl with a broom and covering with a lid for 7-10 minutes.

Undoubtedly, the most common method of steaming a broom in Russian baths is to soak it in water, but you can steep an oak broom in other ways. Let us dwell on them in more detail.

It is suitable for well dried versions .. Dry broom should be dropped into a basin filled with cold water and left for 20-30 minutes. After the time has passed, you should drain the water and pour hot water (the temperature should be about +70 ° C), leaving the broom in it for 3-5 minutes.

This option allows you to return the freshness of the bathing accessory, which has been stored for a long time (more than 1 year). It is soaked in a container of cold water for 10-15 hours. Immediately before the steaming procedure it is enough to dip the broom in warm water for 1 minute.

The product is dipped for a few seconds in cold water, and then placed in a basin and poured with boiling water, Cover tightly with a lid to keep the steam from escaping. After 8-10 minutes the lid can be removed, pour some cold water into the container and start using the broom.

A very quick way to soften a dry broom that requires extreme caution. First you dip it in cold water for 1-2 minutes, and then, putting a glove on your hand, bring it to the heater for 2-3 minutes, gently turning it on each side. Droplets that run off the wet twigs will turn into steam, which gives the steaming effect.

Because of the density of the leaves for the maximum disclosure of the essential oils and tannins in the oak broom, compared to accessories made from twigs of other trees, you need a little longer steaming time. It should never be dipped immediately into boiling water to prevent the leaves from falling off. Remaining water after soaking the broom can be used for rinsing, foot baths or pouring into the stove. The water should be added carefully in small portions, so as not to flood the stove and fill the steam room with a pleasant aroma. If used repeatedly, the attribute should be rinsed, soaked for 3-5 minutes in cold water, and then pour boiling water and cover for 3-5 minutes. At the end of bathing procedures the broom should be well dried.

In order to obtain a health-improving effect the bathing ceremony should be unhurried and take at least 1.5 hours. Before the steaming it is necessary to let the body warm up. For a few minutes you should just sit in a relaxed state, getting used to the temperature of the bath. Then you need to take a shower, steaming broom. When the body is well heated, you can go into the steam room. It is advisable to wear a bathing cap on your head.

It is recommended to start the process of steaming from the lower shelves.

The first run should not exceed 5 minutes. After leaving the steam room, it is desirable to get under a warm shower to wash off the body, excreted with sweat toxins.

The second pass into the steam room with the use of brooms lasts about 10-12 minutes. It is easier to make a steam together with somebody close to you, so that you can stroke each other with the whisk in turns. It is uncomfortable to slap your back when you are alone on your own. It is easier to do the back spanking procedure when you are lying down. The first slaps should be very light, with a gradual increase in the force of the blow. The strokes of the broom on the chest and abdomen should be weaker.

It is recommended to walk for a while in the washing room or pre-bath, taking deep breaths and exhalations. When the body cools down a little, you should take a warm shower and rest. If there is a rest area in the anteroom, you can drink warm herbal tea and lie down.

The optimal number of entries to the steam room is 4-6, with the period of stay in it not more than 15 minutes. After leaving the steam room the body needs to cool down. You can take a contrast shower, sit in the anteroom. For hardened people in the winter period it is acceptable to bathe in the snow or an ice-hole. During the last session it is better not to use a whisk, and apply a special cleansing mask to the body - wait for profuse sweating and then rinse it off in the shower.

When visiting the steam room sweating lasts quite a long time, so you should not wipe yourself with a towel so as not to intensify it. It is better to wait for the body to dry on its own. Usually this is achieved simultaneously with the normalization of its temperature and the arrival of the pulse in a calm state. Proper steaming in the bath with an oak broom will be a pleasant procedure, will give the body lightness, vivacity and have a beneficial effect on the overall health.

How to properly steep an oak broom, see in the video.