Sauna experience with homemade sauna infusions
Once upon a time, the purpose of the Finnish sauna was to cleanse the body. Today, for many, it is an indispensable ritual and the ideal place to recharge your batteries and strengthen your immune system. An important part of the sauna session is the infusion. With a little ingenuity and the right infusion recipe, it becomes a real treat for body and soul.
The sauna infusion is the highlight of the sauna session and should begin at least five to ten minutes before the end. It is not necessary. The health benefits of the sauna are felt even without it. But hardly any sauna today can do without this experience. Lovers of the sweat room do not want to do without it and enjoy the effect of the infusion depending on the sauna fragrance used.
Everything for a successful sauna experience
For a successful sauna infusion, a sauna heater with sauna stones is necessary. For this purpose, sauna enthusiasts need a classic wooden sauna bucket and a wooden ladle. Then all that is missing is water and a towel. With these ingredients alone, an infusion is possible and brings the experience of heat and steam.
The procedure is always a little different in the individual wellness oases. In principle, however, one should have already saunted for about ten minutes before the infusion. Thus the body is already warmed up, before the strong heat stimulus comes in addition.
Shortly before that, the door is opened so that fresh air can flow in. Here you can help with the towel. The door is then closed. With the ladle, water is now very slowly distributed on the sauna stone. If this happens too quickly, there is a risk of hot water splashes and thus injury.
From the heat to the cold
The infusion water evaporates on the stones and the humidity in the room rises. The humid air is swirled with the towel. A short break follows before the next sauna infusion. Three infusions should be the maximum. After that, you can sweat a little more. By the way, the unwritten sauna etiquette says that it is forbidden to enter the sauna during the infusion.
After leaving the sauna, cool off in the fresh air and then with cold water. For a simple infusion, water is enough. However, it becomes much more interesting with special fragrances added to the water. It is not difficult to make your own sauna infusion.
Why should you make your own sauna infusion?
Every person is individual. So everyone has their own preferences, their own sensations and their own special tastes. Especially when it comes to sauna infusion, the aroma should be adapted to personal needs. It is no fun at all to make an infusion with spruce needle if you can’t stand the sauna smell. Even worse is an aroma that smells artificial and may even be harmful to health.
There are now lots of sauna additives available on the market. Not everyone delivers what it promises. A good additive should consist of natural ingredients. A good reason to put it together yourself. So you know exactly what it contains and also that it meets your own requirements.
The most important ingredient is essential oils
The main ingredient in most sauna infusions is an essential oil. In addition, dried twigs, flowers, leaves, fruits or roots can be used. The essential oils are available in pharmacies in high quality. Always be sure to use oils that are 100 percent natural. Anything else is inferior and detrimental to your health. A cheap oil can possibly cause severe respiratory problems.
You can also get good oils at sauna specialty stores. Here you can also find all other natural ingredients to make a good sauna fragrance. You can also collect them yourself. Nature is full of delicious smelling plants that will make your sauna session an experience.
Each aroma has its own special effect:
- Invigorating: citrus, thyme, rosemary, bergamot and ylang ylang.
- Stimulating for metabolism and respiratory tract: mint
- Relaxing: lemon balm, rose, lavender, incense, sandalwood and vanilla
- Positive effect on the respiratory tract: eucalyptus, myrtle, mountain pine and
Mint - Against inflammation and for beautiful skin: chamomile, sage
It is important that the plant parts are unsprayed. Otherwise, these toxins would dissolve in the water and during infusion directly into the air and thus into the respiratory tract.
The simplest and most traditional recipe
The classic for saunas is still birch. For this purpose, dried birch twigs, called birch tassel, are soaked in hot water for a few hours. In this way they become supple. The resulting birch water is used for the infusion. The birch twigs are used to lightly whip the skin during the sauna session. This creates a pleasant massage effect.
The skin is stimulated and blood circulation is increased. Due to the impact on the skin, the leaves release a soapy substance that serves to cleanse the body. Incidentally, a pleasant scent of birch spreads in the sauna. Birch has a relaxing effect and stimulates the metabolism. Physical performance is strengthened and the body’s defenses are increased.
Breathe deeply
It is not for nothing that the sauna is popular during the cold season. It relaxes and strengthens the immune system. The steam moistens the respiratory tract and ensures that you can breathe easily again. If you want to additionally strengthen this effect, the following recipe for a sauna fragrance is optimal.
Here you use:
- 3 drops of eucalyptus oil
- 3 drops of rosemary oil
- 3 drops of spruce needle
- 1 liter of water
This sauna infusion opens the respiratory system. It is ideal during the flu and cold season. This infusion can also work wonders for the onset of a cold. However, you should be used to sauna. Those who are sick and try the sauna for the first time are more likely to achieve the opposite effect.
First aid for winter depression
Especially the cool and gloomy season demands a lot from us. The sun hardly shines, it is gloomy and the evening starts much too early. Many people suffer from winter depression during this time. Here, a sauna session with the right blend of fragrances can help the good mood return.
For this you take:
- 4 drops of orange oil
- 2 drops of thyme oil
- 3 drops of grapefruit oil
- 1 liter of water
Just the citrus fruits invigorate the soul. Thyme has a fresh effect on our mood. It is also good for the respiratory tract. Here it has an expectorant effect and thus liberates.
Recipe for more vigor and new energy
- 1 cup of ginger tea
- 2 drops of peppermint oil
- 100 milliliters of lemon juice
- 1 liter of water
This recipe guarantees more vital energy and a very special kick. Instead of ginger tea, you can slice about 2 centimeters of fresh ginger. Bring the infusion water to a boil and add the ginger slices. The ginger water should now steep for a few hours. After that, you can add the rest of the ingredients. Strain well and use.
Relaxation thanks to sauna
After a hard day’s work, a sauna session can bring wonderful relaxation. The following recipe is ideal for this:
- 2 drops of sandalwood
- 6 drops of lavender
- 1 liter of water
Sandalwood is a particularly precious wood. Its special effect on health has been known for more than 3000 years. It has a calming effect on body, mind and soul. In addition, the scent of sandalwood is said to help relieve anger, nervousness and tension. Lavender has always been known thanks to its calming effect. However, lavender is also able to alleviate anxiety, it helps with insomnia and balances inner turmoil. Lavender is also a good choice for stress.
The sauna as an immune booster
Going to the sauna is as such already a good deed for an intact immune system. However, by using the right essential oils, you can significantly support this effect. To do this, simply mix:
- 2 drops of silver fir
- 2 drops of orange
- 2 drops of tea tree oil
- 1 liter of water
Silver fir has antiviral and antibacterial effects, providing protection against illness. Orange not only brightens the mood, it also has an astringent effect on mucous membranes. Tea tree oil has been used for medicinal purposes by indigenous Australians for a very long time. And with good reason. It is effective against viruses, fungi and bacteria.
Mixture for detoxification
Detox is still a relatively new term. It means nothing more than detoxifying. Through healthy food, regular exercise and baths, the body should be freed from harmful substances. Some plants can assist in this process. An excellent blend that helps the body cleanse is the following:
- 3 drops of juniper
- 3 drops of lemon
- 1 liter of water
Juniper has been known for its healing properties since ancient times. In addition to its antispasmodic effect, it stimulates the flow of urine, which speeds up the elimination of toxins. The antibacterial effect of lemon enhances the effect.
What should be taken into account?
Essential oils are not soluble in water. Therefore, the sauna infusion must be mixed shortly before use. To do this, add the oils to the water and stir everything well with the wooden ladle. Now use the mixture immediately, otherwise the oil will settle on the water surface again.
Never put essential oils directly on the sauna stones. The rather harmless effect is that the oil burns and gives off an unpleasant odor. The worse and even very dangerous effect is flammability. Essential oils can catch fire when exposed to intense heat. There is a great risk of a shooting flame and serious injuries.
Sauna infusion: all natural
If you prefer to work with natural ingredients such as twigs, leaves and flowers, all you need are the plant parts and water. Actually, the preparation is a bit like making tea. Put the parts in hot water and let everything steep well. A few hours are optimal here. The longer the more intense the mixture will be. After that, strain everything well and use it.
Pamper your body
Why not complement your infusions with a full-body treatment? To do this, rub yourself with the appropriate mixture before the sauna infusion. Afterwards, take a long shower and rinse everything off well.
A sea salt peeling goes very well with a citrus infusion. Simply take coarse sea salt and mix it with olive, coconut or jojoba oil. A mixture of coffee and honey works against cellulite.
To do this, take a cup of coffee brew and mix it with liquid honey until a paste is formed. Spread it well on the affected parts of the body before infusing. The infusion mixture should contain orange oil. Afterwards, rinse well. Again, there are no limits to your imagination.
Making a sauna infusion yourself is therefore quite simple and also a lot of fun. With a little creativity, you can always try out new recipes. This is how a simple sauna becomes a real feel-good program.
