Content
- 1 What are the benefits of a fir broom in a bathhouse?
- 2 Preparing fir brooms for a bath
- 3 Is it necessary to steam a fir broom?
- 4 How to steam a fir broom correctly
- 5 How to steam properly with a fir broom
- 6 Allergy from fir broom
- 7 How to store a fir bath broom
- 8 How long are fir brooms stored?
- 9 Conclusion
Fans of Russian baths know that a broom made from fir is considered one of the most useful bath products for the health of the body. It is not recommended to prepare the material, knit and steam a fir broom in advance, since the needles quickly fall off. Despite its rather menacing appearance, the branches of a properly made and steamed product will not injure the skin with needles, since this plant has the softest needles. The article describes in detail the rules on how to prepare spruce branches, how to properly knit, store and steam the finished product.
What are the benefits of a fir broom in a bathhouse?
It is believed that freshly cut branches are most useful. The healing properties of this coniferous plant lie in the content of substances such as phytoncides, as well as essential oils and resins. Spreading in the air, they have a beneficial effect on the human respiratory system, since they have a bactericidal effect and are able to destroy pathogenic microbes.
In addition, the beneficial properties of fir broom are widely used:
- for the prevention of nervous disorders (breakdowns, depression);
- stimulation of brain activity;
- strengthening the immune system;
- relieving muscle tension;
- reducing pain in the back and spine.
The fir product also has a general tonic effect, smoothes and rejuvenates the skin, has a mild soothing effect, but does not bring a feeling of lethargy. In order for a visit to the bathhouse to bring real pleasure and health benefits, it is important to follow the rules for collecting and storing raw materials and properly steaming the finished product.
Photo of what a fir broom looks like:
Preparing fir brooms for a bath
Fir is good because, as an evergreen plant, it is available all year round. However, there is some inconvenience - it is not widespread throughout Russia, but mainly in its eastern regions. Therefore, fir for baths is most widely used by residents of Siberia and the Far East.
When to prepare fir brooms for a bath
The branches are usually harvested from the end of the last month of spring to the beginning of summer, when they are young, flexible and most fragrant. The collection of material is carried out during the day, in dry, sunny weather: such shoots can be stored for some time without losing the needles. They should be steamed on the eve of a planned visit to the bathhouse.
Rules for preparing spruce branches
Fir branches collected in a broom in the bathhouse serve to bring in hot air. Therefore, when cutting shoots, it is important to pay attention to the fact that they can subsequently be folded in the form of a flat fan. It is also important to remember that it is necessary to form a long, even handle, so the shoots should be selected accordingly.
How to knit fir brooms correctly
Below is a step-by-step formation of a classic bath broom.
The thickest branches should be placed inside, and younger and thinner shoots should be placed outside, around them. In this case, you need to make sure that the bent end faces inward. To make the handle comfortable and fit well in the palm, in this place the branches are cleared of small shoots, completely removing the needles.
After the branches are properly laid, the handle is wrapped with twine, starting from the base. To do this, the twine is threaded through a bunch of branches and made several turns, tightly pulling the fir shoots and securing them with a knot. Then they go down in a spiral to the end of the handle and make a few more turns, also ending with a knot. And, at the last stage, the ends of the branches are trimmed, and the finished product is hung.
Is it necessary to steam a fir broom?
A fir broom, unlike, for example, a birch or oak broom, is still slightly different in rigidity. And for a person who has sensitive skin or is simply not accustomed to the bath procedure, it can cause some inconvenience. Therefore, it is important to soak (steam) the fir broom correctly so that it becomes completely non-prickly and does not harm even very delicate skin.
How to steam a fir broom correctly
You can steam a fir bath broom using several methods. The most common methods among experienced Russian bath lovers:
- The first method of steaming is immediately before visiting the bathhouse. A fir broom is dipped in a container of boiling water and left for 15 minutes. This will quickly soften some of the stiffness of the needles.
- The second method takes longer.In order to steam a finished broom, it is immersed in a bucket of warm water for several hours: this way it will infuse until it reaches the desired softness.
- And the third method is for lovers of aromatic steam. A clean and washed broom is dipped in boiling water for 5 - 7 minutes, after which it is placed on hot coals to dry a little. However, in order not to get the opposite effect, it is important not to overexpose, otherwise the needles will become dry and prickly.
On a note. Steaming a fir broom with the first and third methods is not so useful, since most of its valuable properties are lost.
Correctly brewing a fir broom for a bath is considered an important matter among experts and you should treat this very carefully, otherwise you will not get the desired effect from visiting the steam room.
How to steam properly with a fir broom
You should also use a fir broom in the bath wisely: you should not start using it immediately after entering the steam room. First, you just need to sit or lie down for a while so that the hot steam opens the pores of your skin.
It is more convenient to do the steaming procedure in pairs and with the help of two brooms:
- The first person lies down on a bench or sits down with his legs stretched out. The second, with light stroking movements, runs a broom over the skin of the first, starting from the neck towards the toes;
- then carefully stroke on both sides at once, in the opposite direction (from the legs to the neck);
- Now the skin is prepared, and you can move on to light patting and massage. To do this, tap on the pelvis and thighs, as well as on the calves and feet. The procedure is repeated 3-4 times.
- Then the assistant lifts both brooms up, capturing the hot steam with them, and lowers them onto the lumbar region of the steamer, pressing them with his palms for 5 - 7 seconds. Similar manipulations are performed over the entire back, shoulder girdle, as well as for the arms and knees.
This simple complex is carried out up to 4 times during one bath session. There is also a method called quilting. Starting from the shoulder girdle, with light quilting movements of the tips of the branches, the assistant descends to the back, buttocks and thighs, calf muscles and feet. Next, the procedure is performed for one to two minutes on the sides of the body, until the skin becomes slightly red.
Allergy from fir broom
Despite the obvious benefits of fir, not everyone can take a steam bath with it. There are contraindications for those who have individual intolerance to essential oils and other substances that make up the plant.
In addition, the procedure is not recommended for those people who have obvious damage to the skin on the body (open wounds, ulcers). Even the lightest massage can cause irritation and pain.
How to store a fir bath broom
There are three ways to store a fir broom:
- The simplest one is hanging in a dark, cool and dry room, for example, in the attic. If the broom gets damp or exposed to the sun's rays, it will deteriorate.
- Another option is to store fir spruce branches and store them in dry hay, not collecting them in brooms, but forming some kind of sheaf. When the need comes, the hay is raked, the required number of branches are taken and again covered with a layer of straw.
- You can also save a fir broom using this method: lay a layer of dry grass on the floor of a barn or attic, lay out the finished bundles on top, making sure that they do not touch each other. Dry straw is poured on top and raked once every 2-3 days to turn the brooms over. This is done for a month, after which they are covered with fresh straw.
All three methods are suitable for rural residents, but you can store a fir broom in a city apartment. To do this, you need to wrap it in several layers of thick paper and place it in a dark place (pantry). The freshness of the pine needles can be preserved if it is possible to place the broom in the freezer of the refrigerator. By the way, residents of villages and hamlets often store pre-collected spruce branches in a snowdrift.
How long are fir brooms stored?
Healthy fir shoots in the right conditions can last up to a year without losing their healing properties. If conditions favorable for storage are violated, the needles will crumble very quickly and all the work done will go down the drain.
Conclusion
To truly enjoy visiting the steam room, it is important to know how to collect spruce branches, knit and steam a fir broom correctly. After all, steaming with a homemade broom is much more pleasant! In addition, there is firm confidence that the branches are collected in an environmentally friendly area, which means that the procedure is guaranteed to be beneficial.
