Choosing an oak broom for a bath

By tradition, it is customary to go to the bathhouse with a broom. It is used not only to cleanse your body, but also to invigorate. Such a ritual of purification was invented by our ancestors, who knew much more about the healing properties of plants than modern people. But in order to get the maximum effect from relaxing in the bath, it is worth knowing how to choose a good oak broom.

Such a broom is most often used in Russian baths. For the human body, it can be both useful and harmful. After all, some people simply cannot use such a product. But all these subtleties need to be dealt with in more detail.

To begin with, you should familiarize yourself with the positive qualities of an oak broom. Since the bark of oak and its leaves contains a large amount essential oils, pentosans, and quercetins, then the main function of such a broom is considered relaxation of the body... In addition, it is suitable for those people who have oily skin. After application, it is done matte and very elastic.

An oak broom is useful for those who suffer from high blood pressure, sleep poorly, or get tired from physical or mental stress. By going to the steam room, you can relieve stress and fatigue after a hard day. In addition, such a remedy is excellent withcopes with the inflammatory processes of the skin, will help open pores, and also remove sebaceous plugs.

Among the disadvantages of such brooms, it is worth noting that not every person can use them. So, you cannot use them for those who suffer from the following diseases:

• heart failure;
• anemia;
• cancer;
• any stages of tuberculosis;
• excessive excitability;
• high temperature;
• tachycardia;
• ulcer;
• Botkin's disease.

The softness and aroma of the broom, as well as the service life, will depend on how correctly the time for harvesting oak branches will be chosen.

Traditionally, brooms are prepared on the fiftieth day after Easter, on Trinity Day. Despite the fact that its celebration falls on different times, many people try to observe ancient traditions. In 2020, Trinity Day falls on May 31. It is believed that on Trinity Day and two weeks after it is the ideal time to cut oak branches. After all, it is at this time that the time of flowering begins. In addition, the leaves at this time have already grown stronger, and are also well filled with juice and have an incredible aroma.

But in the event that it is not possible to start harvesting oak branches on this particular day, you can do this throughout the summer. Those trees that grow in a damp and dark place are most suitable. Only then will the broom turn out to be of very high quality, accordingly, it will withstand more than one year of trips to the bathhouse.

To make a broom not only of high quality, but also useful, you must adhere to certain rules when cutting branches.

1. First of all, it should be noted that the collection points should be environmentally friendly, that is, they should be located as far from the roads as possible.
2. Cutting oak branches is best in dry weather. In addition, this should be done in the first half of the day, immediately after the dew has dried. If the leaves are wet either from dew or rain, they may deteriorate when dried.
3. The best branches are those that have grown for more than two years and are closest to the ground.
4. Their length should be within 55-60 centimeters. Such branches are not only flexible enough, but also contain a large amount of essential oils. Cut off all the leaves from the thicker part of the branch.

It takes a little work to make a good oak broom. First of all, the cut branches must be prepared. To do this, they must be laid out on a dense soft cloth or on sacking and dried for several days. When they wither a little, you can start knitting. There are no special rules, but there are some subtleties.

The size of the broom can be different. But the length of the branches is usually 40-80 centimeters. Otherwise, it will be completely inconvenient to use them. First you need to tackle the branches themselves. They must be cleaned of leaves and twigs in the area where the handle of the oak broom will be located.

Next, the finished branches need to be folded together.... The thickest ones must be laid inward so that they serve as a frame. Then around them you need to very tightly lay the remaining thin branches.

After that, the place where the broom handle will be located is necessary tie tightly with twine. The very tip of the broom can be wrapped with soft and dense fabric. This is done so that no blisters appear on the hand holding the broom.

The length of the handle should not exceed 15 centimeters. Then it will be convenient to use it. To make the broom even more fragrant and healthier, you can add a few sprigs of mint or chamomile, or other herbs to the base.

The choice of a ready-made broom, first of all, depends on skin typeas well as from possible human diseases. But there is one main criterion. Leaves must certainly be intact and free of plaque or mold.

When buying, you also need to look to the broom was comfortable and did not exceed 60 centimeters in length.

In order for the broom to be able to maintain its properties for a long time, it is necessary store it correctly. It is very important that the environment is supportive. The most optimal storage method is considered hanging finished products in the attic in a vertical position... In addition, you can store brooms even in dressing rooms or sheds.

It is important to ensure that the distance between the finished products is at least 20 centimeters. This is required so that air can circulate freely between them. You shouldn't store brooms directly under the roof, especially if it's too hot there. Indeed, in this case, the leaves will simply dry out and crumble.

In addition, it is worth making sure that the sun did not shine on the finished products, so that the chlorophyll in the leaves would not collapse. You also need to remember that the room should be good. ventilate... Brooms are best wrapped in paper or placed in a box with small holes. This storage method will allow you to use brooms for at least 2 years.

It is best for people who live in apartments to make such purchases immediately before visiting the bathhouse.... If a person wants to make a broom with his own hands, then you can store it on balcony or in a special cabinet. It should be dark and dry. After the bath, the broom must be dried and only then sent to the storage location.

There is another interesting place for storing brooms - this freezer. You just need to wrap it in plastic wrap and then put it in the freezer.

In order to steam the prepared broom, you need to rinse in cool water first. After that, you must very quickly lower for a couple of minutes in a container of hot water. Do not keep the broom there for more than 10 minutes. After all, otherwise it will lose its aroma, and the leaves will crumble too quickly. For the best effect, cover the container with a broom with a lid or bowl.

In the event that the broom is fresh, it will be enough rinse lightly in warm water. That is, immerse it in water 2-3 times for a few minutes. If this is not enough, then the procedure should be repeated again.

In order for a person to receive not only pleasure from water procedures, but also a positive effect on his body, it is necessary to learn how to use such an object correctly. First, you need to prepare an oak broom, that is steam it up... It is best to do this ahead of time, for example, on the evening before the procedure.

After that, you can start the very process of vaping. If the air humidity in the steam room is not lower than 50 percent, the broom will not need additional soaking. Indeed, if this is done, then it will lose the ability to heat steam, and it will also become heavier, and the leaves may stick together.

It is best to steam with another person.

First you need to lie on your stomach. After that, the partner should make light strokes with an oak broom, starting from the feet and moving it gradually along the entire body to the head. The first strokes of the broom fall on the feet, then on the calf muscles, then on the buttocks, and then on the middle of the back and on the arms.

In the reverse order, sliding must be done first on one side of the body, and then on the other. Movements should be fast and take no more than 10 seconds. Their number should be equal to 3-4 slides. This procedure is called massage.

Beginners need to know that in the event that the air temperature is too high, the brooms slide over the body should not be too fast. When the temperature drops, the movements can be accelerated and the air immediately heats up.

This is followed by the stage of easy stitching. To begin with, you need to walk with a broom all over your back in all directions. Then you can proceed to the lower back, buttocks, thighs, as well as calves and feet. All this should be done no more than 1 minute. It is worth finishing this procedure by lightly stroking the body with a broom. But everything needs to be done much faster, for example, in 5 seconds there should be at least 6 posting. Initially, the procedure is done on the abdomen and then on the back in exactly the same sequence.

At this stage, the brooms need to be lifted a little, and then some quick and light whips should be done all over the back. Such "compresses" will help the muscles to relax after tremendous physical exertion or after injuries. In addition, they are often used for diseases such as sciatica.

When stage of "whipping with a compress" will be completed, you need to take two brooms, put them on the lower back, and then quickly spread them in opposite directions: to the head and to the feet. Stretching should be done 5-6 times on one side, and then on the other.

The process is that the broom is pressed against the skin with a palm, and then rubbed in this way the whole body in different directions.

At the end of rubbing with a broom, light movements must be performed, barely touching the body. The last stage consists in treating the body with a broom, which must be immersed in cold water from time to time.

All stages must be carried out in several passes so that the person does not feel bad. Achieve a positive effect only if all the rules are observed.

Summing up, we can say that oak brooms will be an excellent means of having fun, as well as in the fight against minor ailments, if you choose such a product correctly.

For the preparation of an oak broom for a bath, see below.