In addition to the traditional sauna, steam baths are increasingly common in wellness centers and spas. As the name suggests, these facilities have extremely high humidity.
The health benefits of a steam bath are clear: spending time in the humid room helps our bodies relax and regenerate.
In the following article, you’ll learn how to optimize its effects and which scents can make your steam bath visit even more relaxing.
What is a steam bath?
Steam baths were already highly regarded bathing facilities among the ancient Greeks and Romans. They differ from traditional saunas in several ways.
For one thing, temperatures in steam baths are considerably lower than in saunas. While saunas are typically heated to anywhere from 70 to 100 degrees, steam baths are generally heated to no more than 40 to 50 degrees.
Also, unlike saunas, which are usually made of wood, steam baths are tiled. This is mainly because the humidity would quickly damage the wood, but also because tiled surfaces are easier to clean effectively.
The most important difference, of course, is the extremely high humidity in a steam bath, which is close to 100%.
Health benefits of a steam bath
This special climate of low temperatures and high humidity has health benefits for our bodies. A steam bath relaxes the muscles and promotes circulation. The moist heat has a revitalizing and cleansing effect on our skin. The steam bath climate is particularly soothing for respiratory illnesses and rheumatic complaints.
Tips for an effective steam bath
If you’d like to optimize the effects of a steam bath, follow these tips:
- Set aside enough time for your steam bath so you can truly relax.
- Have towels and soap ready.
- Take a shower before entering the steam bath.
- If your feet are cold, you should start with a foot bath.
- Choose a spot in the steam bath and rinse it off.
- After your steam bath, just as after a traditional sauna session, you should cool down and relax. Get some fresh air and take a few breaths. Take a cold shower or jump into a pond, if available.
- It’s also a good idea to drink plenty of water or fruit juice to replace lost fluids.
Steam bath aromas and their effects
Essential oils are also often used in steam baths. They not only delight the senses with their aromatic scents, but depending on the blend, can also have specific effects on the body.
When buying steam bath emulsions, make sure they are specifically designed for steam baths and are of high quality. Low-quality scents can irritate the skin and eyes and harm the respiratory tract.
Blends for steam baths are often used, typically made with the following herbs and plants:
Eucalyptus
May help loosen mucus, especially in the respiratory tract. Eucalyptus oil may also inhibit bacterial growth and relieve cramps.
Spruce
May help reduce stress and is the ideal essential oil addition for a relaxing steam bath after work. Spruce oil may also improve circulation and promote restful sleep.
Peppermint
Peppermint oil may have stimulating and antibacterial effects.
Lemon oil
Lemon or citrus oil can promote general well-being and improve our ability to concentrate. Citrus oil may stimulate circulation and have antibacterial effects.
Important: Follow hygiene regulations
Compared with a traditional sauna, for example, the high humidity in a steam bath creates a considerably greater potential for germs, and therefore an increased risk of infection from diseases, fungi, and similar organisms.
For this reason, every steam bath has hygiene regulations that should be followed for your own safety:
- Always wear bathing slippers to minimize the risk of getting athlete’s foot.
- Always rinse the spot where you intend to sit or lie down thoroughly with water beforehand. Some steam baths have hoses for this purpose. Using towels as a seat cover, as you would in a sauna, is not effective in a steam bath. Because of the humidity, pathogens can settle into the towel and effectively “follow” you.