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Lovers of the Russian bath know that a broom made of 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 crumble. Despite the rather formidable appearance, the branches of a properly made and steamed product will not hurt the skin with needles, since this plant has the softest needles. The article describes in detail the rules on how to harvest spruce branches, knit correctly, store and steam the finished product.
What is the use of a fir broom in a bath
Freshly cut branches are considered to be the most beneficial. 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 capable of destroying pathogenic microbes.
In addition, the beneficial properties of a fir broom are widely used:
- for the prevention of nervous disorders (breakdowns, depression);
- stimulation of brain activity;
- strengthening immunity;
- 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 calming effect, but does not bring a feeling of lethargy. In order for a visit to the bath to bring real pleasure and health benefits, it is important to follow the rules for collecting and storing raw materials and properly steam the finished product.
Photo of what a fir broom looks like:
Harvesting fir brooms for a bath
The good thing about fir is that it is available as an evergreen all year round. However, there is some inconvenience - it is not widespread throughout the territory of Russia, but mainly in its eastern regions. Therefore, fir for baths is most widely used by residents of Siberia and the Far East.
When fir brooms are prepared 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 needles. They should be steamed on the eve of the planned visit to the bath.
Rules for harvesting spruce branches
Fir branches collected in a broom in the bath serve to draw hot air. Therefore, when cutting off 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, therefore, the shoots should be chosen appropriate.
How to knit fir brooms correctly
Below is the step-by-step formation of a classic broom for a bath.
The thickest branches should be laid inside, and younger and thinner shoots should be placed outside, around them. In this case, you need to make sure that the bent end looks inward. To make the handle comfortable and fit well in the palm of your hand, in this place the branches are cleaned of small shoots, completely removing the needles.
After the branches are properly laid, the twine is wrapped around the handle, starting from the base.To do this, the twine is passed through a bundle of branches and made several turns, tightly pulling the fir shoots and securing with a knot. Further, in a spiral, they go down to the end of the handle and make a few more turns, also ending them with a knot. And, at the last stage, the ends of the branches are cut, and the finished product is hung.
Do I need to steam a fir broom
Fir broom, unlike, for example, birch or oak, is still slightly different in rigidity. And a person who has sensitive skin or is simply not used to the bath procedure may cause some inconvenience. Therefore, it is important to properly soak (steam) the fir broom 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 broom for a bath in several ways. The most common methods among experienced Russian bath lovers:
- The first method of steaming is just before visiting the sauna. A fir broom is dipped in a container with boiling water and left for 15 minutes. This will quickly soften some of the stiffness of the needles.
- The second method is more time consuming. In order to steam the finished broom, it is immersed in a bucket of warm water for several hours: this way it will infuse until the desired softness.
- And the third way is for lovers of fragrant 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 connoisseurs and you should be very careful about this, otherwise you will not get the desired effect from visiting the steam room.
How to steam 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 the skin.
The vaping procedure is more convenient to do in pairs and with the help of two brooms:
- at the same time, 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 gently stroke from both sides at once, already in the opposite direction (from the legs to the neck);
- the skin is now ready and you can go on to light pats and massage. To do this, they tap on the pelvis and thighs, as well as on the calves and feet. The procedure is repeated 3-4 times.
- Then the assistant raises both brooms up, capturing the hot steam, and lowers them onto the lumbar region of the steaming person, pressing them with his palms for 5 - 7 seconds. Similar manipulations are performed on the surface of 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 posting. 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. Further, the procedure is performed for one to two minutes on the sides of the body, until the skin becomes slightly reddened.
Fir broom allergy
Despite the obvious benefits of fir, not everyone can steam with it. There are contraindications for those who have an 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 broom for a bath
There are three ways to store a fir broom:
- The easiest one is hanging in a dark, cool and dry room, for example, in the attic. If the broom is damp or exposed to the rays of the sun, it will deteriorate.
- Another option is to store fir spruce branches and store it in dry hay, not collecting it in brooms, but forming a kind of sheaf. When the need arises, they rake the hay, take the required number of branches and again cover it with a layer of straw.
- You can also save a fir broom in this way: a layer of dry grass is laid on the floor of a shed or attic, ready-made bundles are laid out on top, making sure that they do not come into contact with each other. Dry straw is poured on top and raked every 2 - 3 days to turn the brooms. This is done for a month, after which they are covered with fresh straw.
All three methods are suitable for rural residents, however, you can store a fir broom in a city apartment as well. To do this, wrap it in several layers with thick paper and place it in a dark place (closet). The freshness of the 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 villages often keep pre-collected spruce branches in a snowdrift.
How many fir brooms are stored
Healthy fir shoots under the right conditions can last up to a year without losing their healing properties. If the conditions favorable for storage are violated, the needles will crumble very quickly and all the work done will go down the drain.
Conclusion
To get real pleasure from visiting the steam room, it is important to know how to collect spruce branches, correctly knit and steam a fir broom. After all, steaming with a home-made broom is much more pleasant! In addition, there is a strong belief that the branches are collected in an ecologically clean area, which means that the procedure is guaranteed to be beneficial.
