Make a Sauna Oil Blend
If you enjoy taking a sauna on a regular basis, you will be well aware of the energizing and cleansing benefits. To assist the detoxing process encouraged by being in a sauna, it is helpful to use a sauna oil blend that can be thrown on the sauna coals along with the water. The aroma that will be emitted will heighten the enjoyment of time spent in the sauna.
Contents
Steps
- Obtain one or more of the essential oils that are considered to be beneficial for use in a sauna. These include lavender, pine, grapefruit, eucalyptus, lime, rosemary, lemon and birch.
- Single method: If you are using just one essential oil, place 3 - 4 drops of your desired essential oil into the water bucket intended for the hot coals. It is now ready to be added to the sauna coals.
- Blended method: If you are making a special blend that will release several essential oil scents at once, follow the suggested oils above and create a blend. One energizing and detoxing blend is:
- 3 drops pine
- 3 drops rosemary
- 4 drops lime
- 8 drops grapefruit
- Experiment with your own blends using the suggested essential oils above, provided that you are confident with blending. If in doubt as to quantities, ask your oil supplier for advice or do research in a trusted aromatherapy manual. If you are unsure for any reason, stick with the single essential oil addition. With any blend, only add 3 - 4 drops of the resulting blend per bucket of water at a time.
- Sit back, relax and breathe deeply.
Tips
- Always use good quality oils. See your health food store specialist for advice.
- Eucalyptus is great for clearing the sinuses and the senses but beware its potency - it will release a very strong aroma, so take care to ask others in the sauna with you if this is all right. Use it by itself and sparingly - 1 - 2 drops per water bucket should be sufficient.
Warnings
- Do not leave the essential oil bottles in the sauna room. This will quickly destroy the oil. Add the drops to the bucket before entering the sauna.
- Pregnant women, those who are sick or convalescing and children should use caution when taking a sauna.
- It is generally recommended that you do not spend more than 20 minutes in a sauna at any one time.
- Take a quick shower or jump in a pool or lake at least every 20 minutes or so if you plan to be in the sauna for a longer period.