 More than thirty medical essays were dedicated to salutary characteristics of the banya published in the early twentieth century in Russia, and so sweating and health are almost synonymous in this country. It is a custom that has been part of Russian culture since the Middle Ages. There is hardly a village where you can’t find a banya. To this very day, in remote rural areas where traditional folk medicine prevails, banya is conceived as a cure-all.
Over two thousand years ago the Greek founder of modern medicine Hippocrates had been said "Give me the power to create a fever, and I shall cure any disease". Many cultures have used heat and steam since then to put this principle into effect and bring on "artificial fever" and sweating.
Steam is probably the main point of the banya. Generating the steam in the proper manner is very important seeing that Russians draw a distinction between the light and dense steam, and dry and wet one. This is basically what makes the sauna different from the banya: the latter has wet, wet steam, while the former is based on hot, dry steam. The banya is not as warm as the Finnish sauna, however recompenses in excessive moisture (due to incessantly pouring water over the hot stones of the stove) what it lacks in temperature.
Men and women attend the banya separately if it is not a mixed family bath. Normally, people go to the same banya, especially in the small towns or villages, for years. So, this is a perfect place to meet and communicate with people. After the exchange of salutations was taken place upon arrival, bathers pass on to the "parilka", or steam room.
There are benches on three levels as a minimum in the "parilka". It accommodates a large stove with smouldering stones emitting heat, surrounded by hefty buckets of water and a huge ladle. A bather takes a ladle and spills hot water straight onto the stones, filling the room with hot, thick steam at once. Sometimes the door gets blown open by the pressure of the steam at such a moment and generally another bather guards the door while this is happening.
As bathers begin to perspire profusely they feel their pores open immediately, relieving the week's accumulated toxins during the sweat-induced procedure. Beginners are sometimes unable to take it and some have to go away at this stage. It's a momentous occasion. This process not only takes toxins out but cleanses the mind as well, relieving stress therefore, - believed in Russia.
| 
