The five most popular types of baths
Russian banya
In Russia, the bath came not only to wash: it was a kind of “medical center”, where you could gain strength, relax, get rid of toxins and toxins. It was here that the witch doctors took birth: it was believed that children born in a bath would grow up healthy and strong.
Modern Russian baths refer to raw types – steam here is obtained by pouring glowing stones in the stoves. The air temperature, as a rule, is 60-70 ° C, and the humidity is 60-70%. An indispensable attribute of a Russian bath is a birch broom. It is used for a kind of massage or “beating”. Strokes with wet leaves stimulate blood circulation and promote the removal of toxins and toxins from the body.
Thermae
Its history dates from the times of Ancient Rome. Once they were near thermal springs, because of which they got their name.
The terms were the pride of the rich and noble Romans. They were decorated in light colors, used marble and mosaic panels. Here came not so much to wash, how many to conduct intellectual conversations, to eat, read and even to make laws. Termes were huge rooms, which were gymnastics and dining rooms, libraries, various saunas, swimming pools and massage rooms.
This paired almost no contraindications: it helps to strengthen the body, increases immunity, relieves muscle tension, and also activates blood circulation.
Hammam
The name of this Turkish steam room comes from the Arabic “boor”, which means “hot”. However, it is cooler here than, for example, in a Russian bath: the temperature is only 30-55° C. Another difference is in the rich decoration. Under the hammam, temples or temples were rebuilt very often, here you can find tiled and mosaic panels, luxurious lamps and marble columns.
It is believed that Turkish baths help with cardiovascular diseases and hypertension, treat insomnia, migraine, neurasthenia and colds.
Ofuro
In Japan, there are several varieties of baths, and the most popular is considered ofuro. However, to call it a bath is not entirely correct: rather, it is a large bath. Ofuro is a barrel with hot water (60° C), where medicinal herbs and oils are added. The ritual itself also includes massage and warming in yet another container full of water, hot cedar sawdust or pebbles. End the procedure unhurried tea-drinking.
Japanese bath ritual is popular all over the world. It relieves stress, favorably affects the cardiovascular system and kidneys, helps to normalize metabolism and increases immunity.
Sauna
For Finns, sauna is a national pride and weekly mandatory procedure. It is known that for five million people in the country there are almost 2 million saunas, and for a steam bath there is even a single word – löyly.
Sauna and bath are the next of kin. True, unlike the Russian steam room, the Finnish air temperature can reach 90-120 ° C. In addition, there is a difference in humidity: in the Russian bath this figure reaches 60%, and in Finnish – only 5-25%. The Finnish sauna also has medicinal properties. It helps to cleanse the body of toxins and toxins, get rid of stress and neurosis, and also serves as an excellent prophylaxis for respiratory diseases.
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