A sauna session with the right aromatic infusion is a pleasure and a real treat for many people. Whether after a stressful day at work, a tough workout, or simply as a break in the day, a sauna promises relaxation.
A highlight of a sauna session is the infusion, which is performed in many saunas and provides an extra dose of relaxation. Special essential oils in the form of sauna infusion concentrates are mixed into the infusion water, which is then poured over the hot sauna stones.
Different scents affect sauna-goers in different ways and enhance the well-known health benefits of sauna sessions.
The following article explores the effects sauna fragrances can have, what to keep in mind when performing a sauna infusion, and which sauna oils are suitable for infusions.
How scents work in the sauna
There are many different scents that sauna-goers enjoy inhaling in the heat. Classic scents such as pine, menthol, and eucalyptus are used, along with fruity notes such as lemon or orange. In general, a sauna infusion typically has a calming, restorative, revitalizing, and strengthening effect on both body and mind.
The effects of essential oils vary and can be summarized as follows.
Sauna fragrances
- can stimulate circulation and metabolism,
- help detoxify the body,
- have antibacterial effects,
- boost your mood,
- have anti-inflammatory effects,
- relieve muscle cramps
- and simply help you relax.
You can find an overview of the basic effects of essential oils in the sauna in the article “How to use essential oils”. Choose the sauna fragrance that suits your mood or how you feel, especially when using your own sauna, where the choice is always yours.
Infusing the sauna with fragrant sauna oils
Many people consider the infusion a highlight of their sauna visit. In addition to the especially soothing fragrance experience as the hot liquid evaporates on the sauna stones, the infusion creates a heat stimulus in the body. The humidity increases by 10 to 30% during the infusion. This makes it harder for sweat to evaporate from the skin, allowing the body to heat up further.
Sweating is intensified, the heat becomes more intense, and together with cooling down, the infusion is an ideal way to toughen up the body.
If possible, do not leave the sauna during an infusion. Find more tips for sauna bathing here.
How to prepare the perfect infusion
Before the infusion, take a shower. This is important for achieving health benefits, as your pores should be as free as possible of oil and dirt. Washing beforehand helps your pores open more easily, allowing waste products and toxins to be flushed from the body. So make sure to lather up thoroughly.
Now prepare what is known as the infusion water. Take a sauna bucket and fill it with water and, if desired, ice. Choose a sauna fragrance and mix the infusion concentrate into the water.
Be careful with the dosage and use less rather than more, because too much oil can cause an unpleasant sensation not only in your nose but also in your eyes. If the concentration is too strong, your eyes will start to sting, which is hardly relaxing. Start cautiously and increase the dose gradually if needed. With high-quality infusion concentrates, even small amounts are enough to create an intense fragrance experience. Follow the manufacturer's dosage instructions and you can't go wrong.
Before the infusion, open the sauna door for a few minutes to let in fresh air. The exchange of oxygen makes the infusion experience more intense.
Now close the door and warm up for at least 5 minutes so your pores can open and your skin becomes slightly damp.
Then begin the infusion. Take a ladle (preferably wooden, so it does not get too hot). Stir the infusion water vigorously once more and slowly pour it over the sauna stones.
Make sure the sauna stones are hot enough for the water to evaporate immediately; otherwise, it will not have the desired effect. Do not pour too much water at once, as this can cause hot splashes.
To distribute the rising steam evenly around the room, take a towel and wave it around. Since the wooden walls also absorb moisture, the air does not stay humid for long. You can repeat the infusion up to 3 times, after 2-3 minutes each time.
You can increase the amount of water with each infusion to intensify the sweating experience, provided you feel comfortable doing so.
After the last infusion, keep sweating for a few more minutes, then open the sauna door again to let the strong fragrance dissipate.
After the infusion, cool down thoroughly with a cold shower or ice, and if you like, enjoy a dip in a cold plunge pool. However, avoid this if you have high blood pressure.
The combination of an infusion and cooling down strengthens the immune system, stimulates circulation and metabolism, and relaxes the muscles.
Choosing the right infusion product
When it comes to fragrances for the sauna, many people tend to choose higher-quality products. Make sure the infusion concentrates are made from natural essential oils and nature-identical ingredients. The German Sauna Association advises against buying heavily perfumed products.
As a general rule, sauna infusion products should:
- contain natural and nature-identical ingredients obtained directly from plants
- list all ingredients and their quantities on the packaging, in accordance with German cosmetics regulations
- use recognized solvents for sauna fragrances: dipropylene glycol, ethanol, isopropanol, and propylene glycol
- display a warning about the flammability of the sauna infusion on the packaging
- be suitable for temperatures above 105 °C and contain no emulsifiers
Conclusion
A sauna infusion adds a fragrance experience that makes your sauna session even more relaxing and enjoyable for body and senses. The key is that it feels good to you, so don't hesitate to leave the sauna during an infusion if you're in a public sauna.
If you have your own sauna, choose high-quality infusion concentrates based on natural or nature-identical ingredients.
Then all that's left is to pour, wave, lie back, relax, and enjoy!