SAUNA and STEAM ROOM AROMATHERAPY

The benefits of aromatherapy can be enjoyed in both modern and traditional saunas, steam rooms and steam baths.

Traditionally healthy aromas were created by using specific woods and foliage in the sauna stove. This meant that the woods burnt in a sauna were selected for their fragrance every bit as much as they were for their burning properties and many woods are reputed to have healing or cleansing qualities when used within a sauna. Indeed, it is though that the original Finnish saunas were used to treat illnesses and even as rooms in which to perform some basic surgical procedures.

Most modern saunas use gas, or more usually, electric stoves to generate heat and for this reason diffusers have become the most popular method of introducing a pleasing aroma into a sauna.

Steam showers are particularly partial to aromatherapy as the diffusers allow two or three drops of a selected fragrance to be introduced into the warm re-circulating air of the steam generator. Furthermore humid air is a better medium for aromatherapy than the dryer air of a sauna room and for this reason steam rooms are favoured by those wishing to enjoy the different fragrances and aromas of essential oils.

Popular oils for use with steam rooms and saunas tend to be Eucalyptus, Lavender and mint, however there are many proprietary blends of different essential oils with a number of claimed properties. These range from instilling relaxation and relieving stress, to clearing nasal passages and easing the symptoms of a cold.

Clearly some of the more magical medical claims of aromatherapy have yet to find a basis in science and blind testing, however it is widely agreed that, at the very least, they enhance the atmosphere of the room in which they are used.

Aromatherapy diffusers may be included in a steam room set up, or bought separately as an addition.