Sauna box as inexpensive alternative for sauna cabin or sauna house

After dashing through Turkish hamam, sauna and Russian banya utilities I want to pay attention to personal cabins. And what is more important, I’d like to talk about small wooden sauna-boxes or bath-boxes. Of course, if you are ready to pay more than $100,000 for personal Turkish hamam it’s better for you to visit my previous post. Unless you are a lucky landowner and can build Russian banya palace on your own site of promise, I’m cooking a special many-course dinner. Still it is for those who have any trouble with free space in their apartments or for those who are not ready to say ‘good buy’ to several hundred thousand dollars.
First of all I want to ask all “chemical brothers” as plastic and others to get out of my pages! There is wood, stones, metal and sometimes glass details in the heater and in the bath-box construction. They are only organic components in my sauna boxes. Their size is small to inhale the aroma of hot inorganic chemical parts!
Look at that cedar sauna-box. There are all of healing remedies of this Wood King box! Do you know that King Solomon built a temple out of old cedar wood to keep his own positive energy? Old fellows talked about the number of rings of a cedar trunk as storing up some kind of energy. Today it is well-known cedar walls emit positive energy. In Cedar houses the air is always clean. It has special spirit and influence. It eliminates tension, develops immunity, and facilitates rapid health recovery after a difficult disease or operation. Yet do you think it is nice to your body to have a sauna procedure in a place made of the King Solomon’s wood?
And what a wonderful result of mini-sauna can come from linden forest! Linden flowers, leaves, wood, and charcoal (obtained from the wood) are the parts used for curative purposes. Active ingredients in the linden flowers include falconoid, which act as antioxidants, volatile oil, and mucilage components, which soothe and reduce inflammation. The plant also contains tannins that can act as an astringent. The aroma of linden sauna cabin can make even a melancholic person happy. That sauna-box actually needs just a few linden boards. It saves money. Generally the small size and simplicity of sauna-box design allow mfrs. to make it out of any piece of wood and any kind of wood:
• Do you want to be under the protection of magic aspen behavior? It’s not a problem. Don’t be afraid of vampire now!
• Do you want to feel as old brandy in an oaken barrel? Enjoy yourself!
Moreover you can build it with small heater and reasonable power consumption. Naturally this sauna-box needs so small place to be based that you can put it anywhere. Why don’t you place it in your office? Frankly speaking it’s not my type! I don’t like such condition when I keep my ass in a warm place while my head is jut out and is envious of the fun! But it is such a democratic device!

Living on the last floor you can build your own Turkish Hamam

Now I want to talk about Turkish Hamam. I remember what I wrote about Hamam in my previous post:What's most important in the sauna or banya? I tried to compare different cultures: Russian banya, Finnish sauna etc. in other post: 7 things to learn about banya And there was only my opinion. Everyone is different. I like a “hard style” in the bath procedure. What I love is Russian banya.
But all we want in making is to have pleasure: we make love, we make money and we make a bath steam. Do you really think we make it for president?! I am not sure. May it be for peace in the whole world? No, we do it only for our enjoyment! I feel sorry for those who like to smoke the pipe of peace. And the first thing you think about in any bath is your feeling of satisfaction. Then you can meditate on your health.
Let’s look around. Russian banya was born as an invention made by strong and bearded mouzhiki (they were Old Russians) who liked winter frost and vodka. Finnish sauna was born with “hot Finnish guys” and it can illustrate the Finnish character much better than the famous Nokia phones. And only Turkish Hamam, which traces its roots back to the Roman Empire, was born to experience pleasure in the bath procedure. O tempora, o mores!
Turkish Hamam affects the body through heating with relatively low temperature (45° C) steam and high air humidity (95 %) which has numerous healing effects and is highly appropriate for the individuals who do not like high temperatures. It is definitely used in body beauty treatments such as peeling, baths, wrappings and other therapeutic processes of heating and cooling that have developed during the millennial tradition of Oriental body cleansing culture.
Hamam is an advanced version of steam sauna which originates from the Greek-Roman body cult and bathing culture and was also used later in the Byzantine Empire. Later it was adopted by the Arabs. The first Hamam in the Islamic culture were built in the medieval times in the Jordanian Area. Nowadays Hammams are associated mostly with Turkish bathing culture although it can be found in all across other Islamic countries.
Most people think that Turkish Hamam looks like a huge palace in the Romaine style. That is half-right because we get into the way to the big Hamam. But it can be smaller then Galatasaray Hamam! Yesterday I met some Turkish construction experts who built Hamam cabins even in the apartment (if its size is sufficiently large). Anyhow, on the one hand you get an excellent place for relaxation. On the other hand you get a big problem with your householder. There is so much moisture in a Hamam. But if you live on the top floor you can make small clouds, until you become accused in in doing harm to environment. (if its size is sufficiently large).
Leaving joking, it’s practical to have a hamam cabin exactly as it is on my picture, especially if you have a Jacuzzi. To enjoy a traditional Turkish Hamam you need good ventilation with water filter system and much money. It’s an expensive pleasure to have a real Turkish Hamam in you apartment. Although it does not cost so much as to get a Russian (wood) heater in the apartment house on Manhattan!
In return it is not a problem to build Hamam in you own house. You need an empty 10 on 10 feet (3 on 3 meters) room though 12 on 12 feet (abt. 4 on 4 meters) is better for complete thrill. Of course the style required is oriental with the hookah and eastern sweeties as a blonde on the picture. It’s important to have comfortable sofas with many mild cushions there and to hear Turkish or any Oriental music. Make it and have fun!

Calendula is the first among the flowers and not last among the bath essence especially for women

Calendula, also known as marigold, bride of the sun, bull flower, butterwort, drunkard gold etc. has been widely used on many remedies. In Latin Calends means the origin of the world. The Romans called the first day of each month Calends. The root of the word appears in the name of the plant Calendula officinalis, which becomes the first one on the Earth. It makes us happy by its bright yellow and orange flowers and rich fresh greens. It is undemanding and grows up on any ground.
Calendula has a magic ability to heal the skin. So Calendula extract is commonly used in ointments and healing creams and treating washes. Calendula ointments cure burns, bruises, and cuts, as well as the minor infections they cause, eye inflammation, irritant contact dermatitis. Moreover Calendula’s remedy is blood purification and circulation problems solving. It makes your skin elastic. Tinctures, liquid extracts, infusions are good drugs for insomnia, dizziness, terrible headache and nervous system disorders.
And now imagine how this effect of the extract benefits with the bath steam! Especially it can be interesting for ladies who want to keep the skin young and fresh longer. It’s better to unite bath procedure and healing masks with Calendula pedal extract to intensify the healthy power. The preparation is as simple as of a Chamomile extract. You need 3,5 oz (100 g) of dried pedals. The essence is light and not as strong as Eucalyptus or Mint aromas. For great smell especially for sauna it’s preferable to use an alcohol tincture.

Silver Fir as a bath essence for inhalation of freshness, strength and power.

Talking about premium bath essences and blends you should attract your attention to Silver Firs (Abies), which are a genus of between 45-55 species of evergreen conifers in the family Pinaceae. Firs are found through much of North and Central America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa, occurring in mountains over most of the range. You might have heard about Breathe in mountain air Fir, which is a powerful Essential Oil. There are some other Fir extracts used for toning, strengthening, purifying or centering while taking a bath at home. To inhale and feel the wonderful mild essence in banya or sauna is fantastic. It’s worth knowing that Silver Fir has as strong life-giving power as eucalyptus. It has antiseptic, toning, deodorizing and breath stimulating effects. It is also a decongestant for body and mind, centering, purifying. This Silver Fir essence smoothes the irritation in the respiratory tract. They say it stops inflammation as in the upper part of the tract as even in the bronchus lungs. It is said in some fir oil prescriptions the essence helps with cold, cough, arthritis, rheumatism, respiratory problems. Considering stress, anxiety, nervousness, entire weakness as illnesses you would be recommended a bath with fir oil. This will make you relaxed, reduce the muscular tone and quiet you. It can smooth you eyes after long work in front of the computer screen.
Now image how vital the Silver Fir essence can be in banya or sauna while inhaling the smell and also absorbing the steam and aroma with you wet warmed up skin. This essence makes the steam fresh and energetic. Taking a sauna it is enough to drop some fir oil onto the walls or shelves of the cabin. For Russian banya we need a lot of water extract which is rather simply cooked. It is better to use fresh Silver Fir twigs. It is important to douse them in hot water for a long time otherwise the soft needles can burn and it spoils the air so that you won’t enjoy you bath. You may hang about the soggy fir twigs as you may have coped with the absinth ones (see the previous posts). The fresh twigs can be used several times. You should not leave them for long in the steam chamber to prevent them from getting dry so that they do not lose the vital power.

7 things to learn about sauna not to waste money building a bath house and be careful visiting banya or sauna

First learn these 7 things about bath houses and procedure.
I suppose you have learnt something about Russian banya and sauna from my older posts. You won’t be able to find such recipes even in Russia. I always rely on my own experience, which is rather large and gained from numerous visits to different bath houses in all parts of the world. I am sure that before buying a sauna cabin or choosing a bath house in your town you should know what needs a very careful consideration. Otherwise you get a wonderful trifle for your interior design. You can’t improve your health and cheer up with it. Without knowing some fine points a visit to Russian banya or sauna may become a torture. You should not forget that bath procedure is quite extreme for your health. Remember that the temperature of 100 degrees may be good or dangerous. Here are the main aspects of the bath business.
1. Free breath
Apparently we think that correct breathing is extremely important for cosmonauts. Great universities in the whole world study life support systems and supply the spaceships with essential facilities and necessary equipment so that the spacemen feel safe. Why don’t we make at least some research for ordinary people who keep fit and healthy in Russian banya or sauna? Why do only Chinese engineers produce sauna cabins in the whole world? An average Russian banya - goer stays in a bath longer than a cosmonaut in the outer space. I remember a professor who is still a frequent visitor to the Russian banya. He is specialized in space life support systems. Once he asked his students to estimate the work of one steam chamber in "Seleznevskie bany". The conclusion was impressive: 15 people in 15 minutes make the amount of oxygen lower than allowable level. Can you breathe with carbon dioxide? I can’t. So I put the importance of the ventilation system in a sauna cabin or in a steam chamber on the first place. The same rules are applied to the wholeRussian banya or sauna house.
2. Bath heater
High power for sauna heater is more important than a high-powered engine for a truck. A weak heater will not make it possible to air the rooms thoroughly. It simply will not be able to support necessary temperature with the frequent ventilation. It will not be able to heat a large quantity of stones which serve for heat accumulating. But you will have to forget about the comfort in the steam chamber without a huge number of stones. Indeed it was not in vain to use 15 tons of cast iron pigs in the Russian bath! It is not worth forgetting also about the fact that heating of spiral expends oxygen in your lungs. Then you will be more attentive to the ventilation in Russian banya.
3. Specific volume
It’s not less important for a steam chamber or a sauna cabin to work out the specific volume for easy breathing. It is significant to store up great amount of oxygen in the room. The next question concerns the number of people who can sweat together in the heater chamber. If you try to save the heat or the wood and too many bath-fans crowd in the room with a low ceiling, you do not take a real pleasure but a headache. In order to avoid simple problems do not economize on the dimensions of sauna cabin and Russian banya rooms. Buying a sauna cabin or building your own bath you can find something less important to save money.
4. Type of the wood
Aspen is the best wood material for the interior trimming. Since the old ages aspen have been considered as magic wood. Aspen stake were used to kill vampires. The legend says that it could draw out the negative energy from Dracula’s follows. Today we visit bath with aspen trimming to reduce stress and tiredness and feel better. Aspen shelves heat up less than those of any other type of wood. The light pleasant smell of the wood penetrates into the hot air and treats you softly. Bass-wood can also wonderful for trimming the chamber. It does not have the magic qualities of aspen; however, the linden aroma can compete with other herbal smells.
5. Sense of proportion is not less important.
You should not take a bath treatment too many times even if you feel better each time you go out. Four times a day is quite enough to get rid of a couple of kilos and the first symptoms of cold. Otherwise one visit is insufficient. The body should be warmed up well. Only then this can do a lot of good for your health.
6. Extracts and aroma
The healing power of many herbs and blends is very useful in the bath. You’d better start with soft, mild, favorable aroma recipes. I wrote about it in my previos posts:
It’s better to test with absinth and beer. It’s really that drinking beer in bath is not good but using it for making bath steam is a grate secret! Then you can continue with chamomile, which is great. Antiviral properties of chamomile extract are better to be tested in sauna or banya! At last you can try horse-radish or mustard. But if you want to be healthy you must know something about magic properties of the horse radish.
7. Frequency
We have told you how extremely harmful bath procedure can be for your body and health. We consider visiting a bath once a week the most suitable for a healthy man. If you want to go to the bath more often than have a three-day break between the visits. Take care of your health. If the next days you feel flabby, sleepy and superfluously relaxed dismiss a visit – take a short break.

Peppermint – not only for mouthwashing, it’s the best thing for “health washing” if you use it in sauna and banya!

Don’t think that all well-known herbs can be used in sauna or banya. It’s a wrong idea. Who knows – may be if you take some marijuana bushes to the steam chamber you can make a great bath steam! But to have it you must build your sauna or banya house somewhere near Amsterdam. However most of all bath procedures had analogues in current Oriental medicine. As using well-known peppermint extract. This is our next secret. Peppermint is also known as brandy mint or lamb mint. The largest markets for peppermint are manufecturing chewing gum, toothpaste, and mouthwash. It has an extensive pharmaceuticals use for loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, respiratory infections, the common cold, cough, and fever. It is used in confectionery, tobacco, alcoholic beverages, cigarettes and a variety of other food products. Above all peppermint extract is used for bath steam making!
The way of preparing mint extract doesn’t differ from cooking others, e.g. camomile. You don’t have to fry camomile leaves as mustard. It’s as easy as brewing mint tea. Put 100 gram (3,5 oz) mint leaves in 3 - 4 gallons of boiling water and leave it to brew for at least two hours. Filter this “tea” thoroughly. If there are any small particles left in the extract there can be a smell of burning in the steam. Now it’s ready. Conformably for sauna you need ten times less extract for good and healthy steam. Additionally, put some wet mint twigs on the shelves in sauna cabine for aroma. Remember not to leave dry parts of mint because they can spoil the smell next time. Moreover peppermint is an exellent relaxant antidepressant, as strong as absinth.

Groovy news from Kazakhstan! Mustard – Borat’s (old Oriental) famous secret for sauna and banya

Visiting banya and sauna for many years I used special recipes of bath aromas. I never thought about therapeutic qualities of those herbs. Furthermore all of famous bath secrets have a long history in the oriental medicine. It’s fantastic how many remedies those natural “doctors” have! Only when I started writing about banya I took medical encyclopedias. And I learnt so many interesting things about herbs which we are used in sauna and banya. I’ve begun to respect my bath tutors. But now I have a problem: they don’t want to talk to me about their secrets. “Master Boris” wants to make his special bath steam. He likes to stick to hard and fast rules in banya. They say: not to talk while we have the steam! But after he takes his famous “29 grams” he wants to talk about fishing. I tried to ask him by phone. It’s so hard to understand “how to fry mustard” when you talk through the Atlantic Ocean! So hear the next secret from teacher Boris is coming: Mustard!
Mustard is well-known all over the world. Mustard seeds came to us from India and occupied a worthy place in our kitchen. They contain no poisonous parts, but the powdered seeds can be irritating if misused. All the same mustard has a long history of medicinal use. There are so many remedies: it has also been used to relieve arthritis, rheumatism, toothache etc. Such a well-known medicinal use is the mustard plaster. There are several active ingredients in the seeds which make mustard effective externally. A feeling of warmth when apply it onto the skin is a famous quality. All you know about a mustard footbath which also warm up the blood. But only in sauna or banya all of our body can feel its healing power. And it’s a big secret from “Master Boris”!
For preparing bath steam with mustard you need to buy or to make a mustard powder. Now it’s easy to buy mustard beans in the US. There are many little Indian stores in the whole world (because there are more than billion Indian people). But it’s important: mustard powder is good for kitchen. We need to “cook” it for banya!
Before going to banya you need to put half a pound of the powder on a red-hot pan and fry it for 5-7 minutes mixing constantly till it get dark golden. Watch it over carefully so that it doesn’t turn into chocolate- colored stuff. If it does it is bullshit! When it is ready you pour three – four gallons of water into the fried powder. Then you have to wait for at least two hours to infuse the mixture. After that you filter it. Now you can bring the extract to the bath but pour it out on the heater stones very slowly as if you are cooking your favorite dish. Don’t miss the right smell of horse-radish and enjoy the right steam. Its remedies are various including the most necessary of curing colds. A mustard bath is also useful for getting fit and losing weight. It easily relaxes your muscles and calms you down. To enrich the list of the curative and healing power of mustard and make sure or check the facts you’ve read just open an encyclopedia. The remedies of mustard are enormous and bath makes them much stronger.