 A famous Russian writer of the XIX century Pushkin wrote in 1832, "The Russian does not change his clothing on a journey, and when he reaches his destination, he is like a pig himself. Then he takes a bania--the bania is like the Russian's second mother."
When the Russian comes back home from a long trip weary and smelling awful. He goes to bania as it is his second mother that gives him rejuvenation, warmth, and a bath. It restores and refreshes him to a state of glowing health.
In the end of XIX century more than 30 medical dissertations were published about the healing powers of the Russian bania. And today bania is considered as a panacea in remote villages where the traditional folk medicine prevails.
Visitors to Russia usually wondered with the healing powers of the bania. They noticed that the common Russian used few medicines, taking in all cases the sweating bath. This practice was so universal among the Russians. The physicians marked its possitive influence on the whole physical and mental state of the people.
In the past sweat bathing was so important for Russians that if the bania was not available to them regularly, they would climb into a cooking oven. This was common in southern Russia, but also occurred in the north and in Finland as well.
Sweating
• helps to rid the body of wastes;
• regulates the critical temperature of the body at 37 degrees C (98.6 degrees F);
• helps keep the skin clean and pliant.
The traditional folk wisdom and belief in the healing properties of the Bania were confirmed by the research work of scientists. The results of numerous researches say that bania is an excellent method of stress reduction, relaxation, health promotion and rejuvenation.
Regular Taking the Bania
# can increase well being;
# enhance and train the immune functions;
# facilitate endurance;
# improve the following conditions:
- high blood pressure,
- diabetes,
- rheumatism,
- metabolic cycle deterioration.
The advantage of the Banya is the way the heat is increased and the humidity is adjusted. Usually temperature in bania is increased and maintained by pouring small amounts of water on hot rocks on the stove, as a result the steam is created. The pores of the skin begin to open. When you start to perspire, the whisks of oak/birch leaves are taken out of the water, shaken above the stove to warm the branches, and used to gently stroke, brush and tap the body from neck to toes, followed by a honey rub to draw out toxins to soften and condition the skin. This therapy has both antiseptic and detoxifying qualities.
| 
