We choose a bath for pleasure and benefit

Baths have been known to mankind since primitive times. Each people in its own way solved the problems of hygiene. Thanks to the rich history, we can now choose which bathhouse to choose: a Russian steam bath, a Finnish sauna, a Turkish hammam or a Japanese ofuro. On which option would you stop, before the construction of the bath you will have to solve a whole series of issues, and the first of which - what to build from?

What materials are baths made of?

Considering the various options in the catalogs, you will notice that most often a tree is used to build a bath. We will begin the review with it. A wooden log house gives the building a solid and comfortable look, it is easier to breathe in it, and the steam is saturated with the aromas of wood and volatile, if species of cedar, larch, pine were used for the construction. For logs take a whole log, rounded and various types of timber - glued, profiled or trimmed. The tree for construction must be well dried. At least wood is used for building bricks. Unlike wood, it does not shrink and is not afraid of dampness. Inside, the brick baths are partially or completely finished with wood. Recently, this type of building material as various blocks is gaining popularity. Consider what they are and what they are made of:

Foam concrete is a type of cellular concrete molded into a block. It consists of cement, sand, water and a foaming agent. The porous structure increases the heat capacity and soundproofness, the material practically does not absorb moisture, and is resistant to temperature extremes.
Aerated concrete is another type of cellular concrete. Small pores are evenly distributed in it, due to which the material has less weight, but high strength. In its production, cement, quartz sand, blowing agents, gypsum, lime and industrial waste - ash and slag are used. Aerated concrete is easy to process and over time it only gains hardness.
Cinder blocks are building blocks obtained by vibropressing from concrete mortar. Various fillers are added to it: slag, crushed stone, gravel, brick fight, glass, concrete, expanded clay. Cinder blocks are inexpensive and convenient in construction.

After the construction of the walls, the question of heating the bath arises. If in earlier times the room was heated by a hearth of stones, now there are much more types of heating.

Choose a sauna stove

For lovers of the bathhouse, you can lay down a stone hearth in black. In the absence of a chimney, the bath has its own advantages:

less firewood is required for warming;
the design of the bath is simpler and cheaper;
fire safety is higher.

Despite the simplicity of the device of such a bath, they are no longer in use and are considered exotic. Most lovers of steam prefer to arrange a chimney in the oven and not be afraid to get dirty in soot. Bath stoves are made of stone, brick or buy a finished metal. For burning stone or brick stoves, most firewood will be required, but they, in comparison with iron, keep heat longer. In order for the metal furnace to more evenly give off heat, it is bricked.

Steam or sauna

For many decades now, there has been a debate among fans of bath heat about which is better: a Russian steam bath or a Finnish sauna. In fact, both those and others bring benefits and should be chosen based on the state of health and personal preferences:

In the sauna, the temperature can reach 120 ° C with a minimum humidity of 10-15%. Dry heat is useful for people with diseases of the respiratory and musculoskeletal systems.
In a steam room, it warms up due to wet steam. Compared to a sauna, its temperature is lower and its humidity is much higher. The optimal conditions for the bath are considered to be 60–70 ° C and a sufficiently high humidity, reaching up to 100%. Moist steam is used to treat chronic colds, nervous and skin diseases.

The alternation of high and low temperatures in the bath strengthens the body and improves immunity. It is believed that for a healthy and physically developed person there are no contraindications to visiting the steam room. People with various problems should consult a doctor first. In any case, in the bath you need to listen to the state of your body and not overheat.

Which broom to choose?

Use them only in the steam room. For brooms, the branches of the following tree species are taken:

juniper - its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties are valuable;
linden - guaranteed to drive ten sweats from you;
oak - normalizes pressure, helps to cope with atherosclerosis, rejuvenates the skin;
Birch - treats pulmonary diseases, has excellent cleansing properties.

Less commonly used are brooms from nettle, elderberry and viburnum. A broom in the bath is an excellent massage tool. It enhances blood circulation in the capillaries, cellular respiration, deeply cleanses the skin. The essential oils contained in the leaves also have a beneficial effect on the body. If after visiting the bath you are awake, fresh and sleep well at night - you have undoubtedly found your option that is right for you.