When birch brooms are prepared. Preparation of oak brooms for a bath: timing, how to properly cut and dry the product

Brooms are an essential attribute of the Russian bath. By using bath brooms Wellness water procedures are carried out that have a positive effect on the body.

At the same time, it is important to know the most suitable types of plants, the features of their cutting, drying, knitting and other important aspects of preparing brooms.

By following the rules for steaming each type of bath broom, you can significantly improve their effect. Brooms are always on sale, but it is much more pleasant to collect and prepare them yourself.

Types of bath brooms and their properties

Bath brooms make out various kinds trees and shrubs.

Each plant differs in the content of certain vitamins, essential oils, tannins.

Tannins- These are organic compounds found in many plants that can be used as an anti-inflammatory, hemostatic and bactericidal agent.

Depending on the desired effect, you need to use one or another broom, since their use not only brings pleasure, but also treats various diseases. The following bath brooms are considered the most useful:

• birch
• oak
• linden
• juniper
• nettles
• eucalyptus
• maple

Birch broom

Birch is considered the best option for a broom due to strength, comfort and flexibility. Birch leaves are characterized by a rough and porous surface, due to which they effectively absorb moisture, tightly adhering to the skin. Weeping or curly birch brooms are especially useful.

In the first case, the broom turns out to be very light and flexible, and in the second - thick, resistant to hot steam. The use of a broom helps to improve the condition skin, their cleansing, healing of wounds, abrasions, eliminates the feeling of aching in the joints and muscles, has a positive effect on mood.

The use of a birch broom will be useful for those who abuse smoking, suffer from asthmatic and other types of lung diseases.

oak broom

Oak leaves and bark are saturated with tannins and produce healing effect . The skin after applying a broom becomes elastic, matte, stops inflammatory processes and the oiliness of the skin disappears.

Regular bathing procedures using an oak broom can improve arterial pressure, normalize its performance due to the aroma of oak. Compared to a birch broom, it absorbs moisture worse, but is characterized greater strength.

Linden broom

The main advantage of linden leaves is the content of many bactericidal substances as well as essential oils.

The use of a linden broom is considered especially useful for those who suffer from colds with characteristic symptoms(runny nose, headache, sore throat, cough, fever), it is especially useful to use such a broom in winter.

The spreading aroma of linden helps to get rid of headaches, is able to lower the temperature, remove heat, and has a relaxing and calming effect. Linden also promotes wound healing, stimulates the kidneys.

juniper broom

A common juniper broom may not be used by everyone due to its rough and prickly branches. Improper use causes numerous wounds on the skin, so the broom must be soft, well steamed.

However, the plant is famous for its numerous positive properties. Juniper disinfects the surface of the skin, removes inflammation, is used in the treatment of rheumatism, sciatica. Effective use of a broom for colds, allergic diseases and flu.

Another type of juniper is also common - Cossack, which is known for poisonous fruits, but branches and bark can be used without fear.

Terms of preparation of brooms

Any variety of brooms for a bath is harvested summer but in different periods.

Birch brooms are best harvested in early-mid July. For oak, the period from June to August. Good brooms are obtained from linden, collected in July or August.

Juniper shrubs have the best properties, starting with end of spring and ending with the middle of summer.

Important! Brooms from untimely harvested plants crumble at the first use due to weak or too old leaves.

Rules for the preparation of bath brooms

cut branches follows in dry and clear weather, the ideal time is the first half of the day. For cutting, several bushes and trees are used.

Young plants are best suited, the branches of which have the necessary flexibility. Avoid trees and bushes located next to the roadway. Optimum branch cut length - 50-60 cm.

After cutting the branches, they are laid out in 1 layer in the shade so that the leaves become a little lethargic ( an hour is enough). When transporting, it is not recommended to carefully pack the blanks - due to elevated temperature, which is formed inside the package, the leaves may crumble.

Drying and knitting bath brooms

Not fresh plants knit, but dried- it is enough to spread the branches in the shade for 2 days.

Before tying the branch in place of the handle, carefully cleared from leaves and twigs. When collecting a broom, lay out each branch in such a way that the leaves are directed in one direction - you get a kind of fan.

Such a broom turns out to be thick and, when used, fits snugly to the skin. When assembling a broom, the following subsequence:

• a broom is going (long and thick branches - inside, short and thin - outside)
• the place of the future broom handle is tightly wrapped with a cord (closer to the leaves)
• the cord is tied into several knots for durability
• the ends of the handle are cut to the same length

Advice! To make the aroma emanating from the broom even more intense during application, add sprigs of mint, sage or thyme to the composition of the broom.

Turn each broom daily so that the branches dry evenly. You can also dry them limbo is the easiest way. The result should be brooms in the form of a fan of a matte green hue.

Storage of bath brooms

Improper storage can spoil brooms from the best plants, make them yellow, stale, with a barely noticeable smell.

Brooms are well preserved in a room where they do not fall sunlight but there is ventilation. The main thing is to be dry and dark. In urban conditions, brooms are placed in paper bags, and if possible, it is best to cover them with hay on all sides.

Buy ready-made brooms from various materials can be in any bath. They are sold at an affordable price: from 70 to 150 rubles per piece depending on size and plants used.

Often there are brooms in vacuum packed that had previously been frozen. Thanks to freezing, brooms retain both useful substances and odors. And vacuum packing helps to save brooms.

How to steam bath brooms

Brooms steamed up differently depending on the type of trees used.

• Eucalyptus should be soaked in a bowl of hot water for half an hour. Eucalyptus is not used as a basis for a broom, but as an addition to the composition
• birch washed under running water, dipped 1 time for 3-4 minutes in cold and 5 minutes in hot water. Then the broom should be scalded with boiling water directly in the basin and left there under the lid for 10 minutes
• Oak leaves are denser and require a different approach. For about 20 minutes, they are steamed in boiling water, lowered into cold water, and then back into boiling water for a couple of minutes.
• Juniper not dried, but used fresh because of its specific qualities. The steaming process takes a long time - more than half an hour in hot water. This is necessary to soften the branches and needles. If desired, you can use branches that have not been treated with water, but after such an application, many small scratches will appear on the skin.

How to properly prepare brooms for a bath, you can see in this video instruction.

If you are fond of bathing holidays or just have a desire to impose brooms for the next season, do not miss the opportunity to do it yourself. Having put soul and inspiration into the process, the original Russian invention - a bath broom - must be knitted in a certain period of time and in a special way. This is what will be discussed in this article.

Knitting brooms with your own hands: is the game worth the candle?

Let's start with the fact that a broom is a priori a valuable attribute of bathing. First, it acts as a massage tool. Secondly, the essential oils contained in it have a positive effect on the condition of the skin, nourish it and, among other things, prevent aging. And thirdly, it’s much more pleasant to go to a Russian bathhouse with your own broom or “treat” your friends, relatives, relatives with a “homemade” broom - this is about the same as uncorking a jar of delicious cucumbers from the garden in winter and saying: “This prepared by myself!”

At first glance, harvesting birch brooms is a simple and not at all simple matter. In fact, this process must be approached with responsibility, soul. People say that the desire to knit brooms comes with time, one might say, with age. We note that this desire can also come when a person acquires his own bath or simply becomes a bath regular.

Birch broom is a real therapeutic and prophylactic remedy. It helps with pain in the joints, muscles, body aches, promotes relaxation after intense physical activity. In addition, birch broom has excellent cosmetic properties. In particular, the essential oils contained in birch leaves perfectly cleanse the skin, help to “come off” traces of wounds, and heal skin rashes, prevent the occurrence of pimples and other unpleasant moments. Birch broom has an excellent therapeutic effect. For example, in a birch steam, the bronchi expand magnificently - the respiratory system is cleansed, sputum is removed, and ventilation of the lungs improves.

Birch leaves contain vitamins A and C, the so-called tannins, essential oils. Tincture from a birch broom (the water in which it was wetted) is very useful for hair and scalp - douse yourself with this liquid to feel the aroma and pamper your skin with vitamins.

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Which birch to choose?

For a broom, a young birch is perfect, which has never bloomed yet - the leaves of such a birch are the most tender, pleasant. Weeping birch, whose branches do not break, are soft and flexible, is also great for a broom. Pay special attention to birch leaves - the top of the leaf should be velvety, tender and in no case rough. Branches - straight, thin, without cracks.

When a birch leaf is already a pretty penny

So, as a rule, in Russia the best time for knitting birch brooms is from the end of June to mid-July. It's simple: brooms begin to knit when the leaf ripens. In our case, when birch leaf already with a penny.

An ancient custom says: "Knit brooms on Trinity Day", that is, on the 49th day after Easter. As a rule, this day falls at the beginning or middle of the first summer month. Well, in general, it is necessary to focus on the state of birch leaves, because in some latitudes of Russia on Trinity Day, a birch may not bloom at all, and in other places it will already throw out earrings.

Branches must be taken with strong, whole leaves, but without earrings. These attributes of a bathing holiday are harvested exclusively on a dry day. They break birch brooms, as a rule, after the dew has come down, that is, in the morning.

So that the birch does not suffer, cut off the constituent parts of the brooms from different trees. Choose those trees that stand on the sunny edges. Two or three so-called "forks" should be on each broom.

Birch broom is a real therapeutic and prophylactic remedy for pain in the joints, muscles, body aches.

We knit bath brooms from birch

The branches of the leaves must certainly be cleaned of small knots in the place where the handle is planned. Then the required number of branches are wrapped with a special rope (twine). It is recommended to lay thicker branches in the middle, and already surround them with thinner ones, and be sure to bend inward. When the knitting of the broom is already completed, use a sharp hatchet to chop off the ends of the branches in the area of ​​​​the handle so that they do not stick out in different directions.

Birch branches do not need to be tied very tightly, then they are laid out on the surface so that direct sunlight falls on the brooms, you can even lay them out in a draft. After 6-7 days, when the brooms are already thoroughly dry in the sun, they are tightly tied and folded in a dressing room or in a dark, dry, but well-ventilated place. Birch brooms are stored very well in a haystack.

It is best for the broom to take the form of a kind of “Russian fan”, and not a “frail panicle”. The main thing is not to overdry it so that the leaves do not fall off.

It is very important at the initial stage to tie the brooms not too tightly. If you do it the other way around, after drying, you will notice how the leaves in the middle have lost their color, darkened and acquired an unpresentable appearance. The smell of such a broom will not exude at all - in Russia these brooms were called "burnt".

The collection of brooms in early summer is also justified from the point of view of the fact that the ripened leaves have a mass of essential oils, which are very beneficial for health and well-being. One broom should be enough for several visits to the bath.

By the way, when the main bath accessories dry out, as a rule, the second knitting weakens (outer branches) - in this case, you can re-tie this part. It is believed that only those brooms that are connected correctly are able to provide a healing effect in the bathhouse. Nevertheless, each attendant has his own technology for collecting branches, knitting, storing birch brooms. This attribute is always in the center of all the main bath procedures.

Is it possible to knit a birch broom in May?

Recently, the question has often been asked: is it possible to knit a broom in May? Theoretically - yes. It all depends on the condition of the birch leaves. If a birch leaf, as they say, is worth a pretty penny, there are no earrings on the birch yet, you can safely proceed to the procedure. Equally important is the fact in which latitudes you live. By tradition, birch brooms are knitted for the Trinity, and Russian traditions, as they say, are a whole science, a set of truths and rules that have been tested for centuries and millions of people!

The preparation of brooms for a bath is a rather complicated process that requires a wide erudition and knowledge of the national culture from the person who prepares it. This is due to the fact that deciduous trees, the name of the clear terms of leaf growth, undergo a number of physiological transformations during the warm season, which are reflected in the state of their deciduous cover.

About national traditions and scientific nuances of preparing bath brooms in the field of botany - in the text below.

Since the time of the baptism of Russia, brooms have been prepared from the feast of the Trinity. The Trinity falls on the 50th day after Easter, and since it is not a fixed date, but a date that migrates from year to year, it falls on the segment of summer from the middle to the end of June. The week before the Trinity, according to the national calendar, Semik or Green Week marches, the last Sunday of which coincides with the harvest festival of the ancient Slavs, the period when bread began to sprout and "the nightingale began to sing, having drunk the dew from birch leaves."

This segment of summer is a herbage and a period of flowering plants.

In addition to the birch broom, oak brooms, nettle brooms, cherry and currant brooms are also used in bath procedures. They bring their indescribable aroma to the process, but are much less strong and durable than birch.

Determining the degree of maturity of a birch leaf

It is required to opt for a tall “weeping tree”, which has long branches falling to the ground, or a very young tree that has never bloomed.

The leaf is tasted, and if it has a two-sided velvety and tenderness, long and straight branches are cut off.

Rules for the preparation of birch brooms

Following the example of others medicinal herbs, the harvesting of birch brooms is carried out in clear, dry weather during the period early morning after the dew has gone.

• It is necessary to protect the plants, cutting off only the branches from the lower tier and leaving the middle and high parts of the crown intact. Not far from the ground, branches ideal for a bath grow, the age of which does not exceed two years. They are cut with secateurs.
• For harvesting brooms, only flexible young branches of the tree are selected. After cutting the required number of branches, they are dried in a dark place for an hour.

To avoid shedding of leaves due to overheating, when transporting the branches, they are easily packaged, leaving room for fresh air to circulate between the branches.

The tied broom is placed under a small press to shape it and then hung in a cool ventilated area for a couple of days.

Such are the time and process of harvesting birch brooms.

There is nothing complicated in preparing bath brooms, but, like in every business, there are some nuances: you need to know when it is better to knit bath brooms, which branches to choose, how long they should be, how to keep brooms for the whole year without losing quality .

When to knit bath brooms

Our ancestors prepared raw materials for bath brooms in the first half of June - on Trinity Day after Green Christmas. If you are far from church calendars and rituals, collect branches in early June, when the foliage has already grown and strengthened, but has not yet become faded and withered.

For church holidays or calendar dates, you can only navigate by region: our country is large. Somewhere on Trinity it is already almost summer, but somewhere the leaves have barely hatched. So it’s better to focus on the state of the foliage.

When birch brooms are harvested

Not so much time is allotted for harvesting birch brooms: a maximum of a week. It is necessary to have time to prepare birch branches when the leaf has already turned green, and not light green, but before the earrings bloom. If time is missed, the foliage becomes very stiff and falls heavily in the bath. So the term for harvesting birch brooms is very short.

But time is not the only criterion. When choosing branches for a birch broom, you need to navigate by appearance sheet. It should have a dense green color, the plate should be even. There should be no aphids, no other pests or diseases. But, most importantly, there should not be earrings on the branches. And for greater effect, you need to cut birch branches on a broom in the specified interval, but after a rain. Only the birch must already be dry, otherwise, when steaming, the leaf will darken and curl up.

More advice from the older generation: cut a broom when a leaf on a birch is no larger than an old five-kopeck coin, and it should be slightly glued to the touch.

But with sticky leaves you get a "soap broom". It affects the skin just fine: it becomes silky and soft. But at the same time, leave the steam room with skin covered with mucus. Not everyone likes this feeling. So choose here: either a more comfortable feeling with more “mature” foliage or elastic skin.

Birch brooms harvested in May smell differently than summer brooms: they add a smell very similar to the smell of propolis. At this time, there are light stripes on the skin of the twigs, which give off this aroma. Not all branches have such stripes; they must be selected separately. Running your hand along such a branch, you feel the tubercles - these are the very resinous odorous secretions. If someone has not tried - try. Very pleasant sensations, although the sheet is sticky at this time.

Some sauna lovers especially appreciate birch brooms that grew near water - rivers or lakes (but not in a swamp). In such plants, the branches are long, elastic and flexible. Good twigs growing roots or stumps of birches. They are flexible, resilient and tender.

On trees, the lower climbing shoots are considered the best. They are cut for a broom. It is better not to cut single young ones without side branches, even despite a large, beautiful and dense leaf: a whip is obtained. And this is not at all what is required from a bath broom.

If the tree is young, you do not need to cut more than two or three pieces - you can harm the plant. Know the measure - take care of nature!

Old people who love the bath say that even in a birch grove you can not take branches for a broom from every tree. But only from those whose birch bark on the trunk, as it were, shines a little. Moreover, the spots on the birch bark are not gray, but rather brownish. There are not very many such trees, but they do exist. Try to find at least a few and fold the branches separately. Then evaluate the difference and next time you will not regret the time.

Birch foliage when harvesting brooms should be dense and smooth. Someone advises to try a birch leaf with your tongue. If it is rough, the branch is not good, if it is smooth and velvety, it is an excellent raw material.

You can navigate along the leg of a young birch leaf. If it has already become reddish, you can cut it, and if it is green, it’s too early.

The video shows how to choose birch branches and knit brooms from them correctly.

We prepare oak brooms

Harvest term oak brooms longer: starting from the end of June, and some harvest in August and early September. Depends on year and region. But even in the same region, year to year is very different. In some areas you have to hurry: later the foliage is affected by diseases, becomes lethargic or spotty. But sometimes, after being hit by diseases in August-September, the foliage on the oak grows again. That's when you can also get excellent brooms.

When harvesting an oak broom in summer, pay attention to the condition of the leaf: it should be an even dense green color, without spots. The main rule: there should not be an acorn yet. As with birch harvesting, branched shoots with a large leaf are taken.

But there are lovers who harvest an oak broom in September. In this case, the leaf turns yellow or yellow. They say it also works very well.

Bath gourmets value oak brooms made from tree branches, near which burdock grew. Their shoots are considered the most durable and flexible. Trees should grow in shady corners of the forest and be young: on old ones it is difficult to find non-knotted branches of sufficient length. Foliage should be large and abundant.

The harvesting of oak brooms has its own specifics:

• firstly, cut branches are folded for an hour and a half in a shady place, and only then they can be transported;
• secondly, after the oak broom is tied, it is necessary to put oppression on it to give it the shape of a fan - this form is the most common, but some people prefer traditional spherical oak brooms.

When to cut linden brooms

If you want a linden broom with color, you have a week and a half to prepare. And that's at the expense different breeds blooming at different times. In general, the best period is when most of the flowers have already opened. The aroma then in the bath is amazing.

Linden with color smells amazing, but they won’t be able to “work” normally - the leaf is soft

There is a linden broom and a later harvest. He also has a deadline of two weeks - from August 15 to September 1. So say experts who claim that in the lime branches collected earlier, of course, there are more useful substances, but the sheet on them is too soft and, when steamed, twists and wrinkles so that it is absolutely impossible for them to steam.

Preparation of coniferous brooms: spruce, juniper

The "widest collection range" of conifers. There are no restrictions here. In Siberia, coniferous brooms are made both in the most severe frosts and in summer ...

Choose a warm, fine, dry day for harvesting. Cut off the branches begin after the dew dries. Choose young and flexible. There are no other recommendations.

How to prepare nettle brooms

Despite the "terrible" pungency, you only need to try the nettle broom. Then you will really like them to bathe. Harvesting them for the winter is problematic, except to insert a few branches into birch and oak trees. No other way. But fresh can be steamed all summer.

Cut off young shoots without color, about 40-50 cm long. It is made short and fluffy. It is better to work with gloves: it burns. It turns out it is quite soft: only for one person.

There are quite a few ways to park a nettle broom. Basically, they are dipped in hot (not boiling) water for 3-5 seconds, then in cold water. All.

The second option is to dip in cold water, then after steaming out, trample on it in the steam room with your feet, hold it over the steam, giving in a ladle of water.

Regardless of how you cook a broom, they need to “work” on the already steamed body. That is, you first need to steam out birch.

There is one point in using a nettle broom: it strongly stains the wood. Therefore, it is better not to put it on the shelves. Bring a mat, put it on it.

All other brooms (and what they are, and how they affect the body, read in the article “How to steam a broom for a bath”) are collected in the same timeframe as birch brooms until August 2.

If you want to tie a broom of herbs, you need to know the timing of its flowering - at this time they have the highest concentration of nutrients.

How to choose branches for a bath broom

They cut branches from young trees that grow in sunny, wetlands, away from roads and enterprises with harmful emissions.

The length of the branches is selected depending on the selected size of the broom. Usually it is from 40 to 70-80cm. Who is comfortable. Similarly, the thickness of the handle is selected. The diameter rarely exceeds 5 cm - it is difficult to wave too large and heavy, although it is a matter of taste and habit.

Branches should be smooth, free of disease and withered parts. The foliage is thick and juicy, not too hard. It is advisable to choose branches with two or three branches - the broom will not only be more magnificent and beautiful, it will also be denser, it will be good to “capture” the steam. Walking with such a broom over the body, you do not whip it, but massage it.

How to knit brooms for a bath

Having picked up suitable branches, they can be immediately collected into brooms. Some bath lovers advise pre-soaking them for several days in an unlit, well-ventilated place. They say the branches need to be “withered”. It is easier to work with them then.

Thicker shoots are located inside, thinner outside. If there is a bend on the branches (and most often it happens), then the bend should look inward. Also, make sure that the matte surface of the sheet is directed inward, and the shiny surface is directed outward. It should turn out so that their shiny side is directed in one direction. When folding, give the shape of a fan or "bouquet" - they do it differently. The broom-fan is more common: it seems to hug the body. Feelings are pleasant.

For the handle, the foliage is removed from the bottom. Its length is chosen individually, but the most optimal, established empirically, is two palm widths. It is also necessary to expose the butt of branches so that the brooms are better preserved during use. If everything is done correctly, then one broom can be enough for two trips to the steam room.

When folding the branches, they are turned over and shaken several times so that they are more evenly distributed. For knitting, it is better to use natural materials: dense twine, hemp rope, medical bandage or other similar materials. It is better not to use metal wire: it heats up in the bath and it is very inconvenient to hold such a broom in your hands.

There are several knitting techniques:

Used for knitting and clamps. Some are plastic, some are metal. They quickly tighten the handle, hold tight. And after shrinkage, it will be possible to tighten. So that all these puffs do not rub your hand, then they wrap the handle with a thick cotton tape: it is sold in hardware stores, sometimes in hardware or haberdashery. You can wrap the handle with a thick cotton rope (after using a broom, you can remove it and tie the next one).

There are many more ways to knit brooms. Someone uses marine knots, which make it possible to tighten the rope after shrinkage, someone puts two parts of the branches crosswise with butts, then ties them not very tightly, then connects the two parts with effort and ties them completely at the butt, and above. Almost every master has his own secrets. But they are very reluctant to share. Try simple methods first, then adjust as you like. There will be your personal method of knitting a bath broom.

Proper drying

No matter how you knit brooms, they still need to be dried. They are immediately stacked in a heap, one on top of the other. So they lie for a day or two. They flatten out under their own weight. Then they can be tied in pairs, and hung on a rope or pole in a dark, well-ventilated room.

If it is possible to hang brooms in the attic, they can be tied in pairs (without cutting off the remaining twine for tying) and hung to dry on poles. The best brooms are obtained under a double roof: the heat will not “burn” the leaf, but will dry it out. But ventilation must be good. If there is no such “luxury” as your own attic, you can hang a broom on a carnation in a well-ventilated place. In any case, you need to find a room where direct sunlight does not fall on it. Only in such conditions the leaf remains green and does not fall off.

With any drying method, brooms should not be placed close to one another - there should be free space between them. At first, in order for the branches and foliage to dry evenly, they need to be turned over once or twice a day. When they are completely dry, they can be stored away.

How to store bath brooms

Dried brooms can be stacked on a bookcase or shelf (again, the room must be dry and well ventilated). But from time to time brooms need to be shifted so that those that were below are in the middle or at the top. Moreover, light should not fall on the brooms: the leaf will turn yellow.

If you have your own hayloft, you can stack brooms on dry hay, placing them loosely together. Top with dry hay. This is how our ancestors kept them.

For the inhabitants of apartments, there is also a storage method: make small holes in a cardboard box, put brooms into it without crushing, alternating the handle and crown. In this case, you also need to periodically shift them, lifting the lower ones up.

You can also store brooms in the refrigerator: they are packed in a plastic bag or wrapped in cling film, put on the bottom shelf, in a dark, dry corner.

As you can see, it is not difficult to tie a bath broom yourself. But this is only the beginning. Brooms, even the most wonderful, can be spoiled by steaming it incorrectly. How to avoid such trouble, read here. Do not forget to read the article, "How to take a steam bath in the bath."

Massage with a birch bath broom is an excellent remedy for pain in muscles and joints, contributing to faster and painless recovery after various physical exertion. Birch helps to normalize the condition of acne-prone skin, accelerates the healing of minor wounds and abrasions, and soothes the body as a whole.

One of the most pronounced medicinal properties birch broom is intense positive impact on the bronchi - the substances contained in the plant contribute to their expansion, due to which the ventilation of the lungs is normalized and sputum discharge is facilitated. That is why experts especially strongly recommend the use of birch brooms to smokers and patients with asthma and allergies.

The composition of birch leaves contains vitamins A and C, many essential oils, tannins and other useful components. So that they are fully preserved in the broom and most effectively show their useful action, you need to know, firstly, how birch leaves are harvested for a bath, and secondly, how to properly use the finished device. It is with this information that you are invited to familiarize yourself with the study of the information below.

Centuries-old traditions of harvesting birch brooms

In ancient times, the preparation of bath brooms was traditionally done 1-2 weeks after the Holy Trinity Day. As a rule, this holy feast falls in June. Along with this, due to significant differences in climatic conditions in different regions of Russia, focus on only one folk custom it’s not worth it - in many areas the birch does not have time to blossom by the Trinity, and there is little sense from a broom from such branches.

The principle is as follows: we focus on the characteristics of birch ripening. The maximum strengthening of the sheet will indicate the imminent appearance of earrings. This short time period, when the leaves are the strongest, and the earrings are not yet available, is the most suitable for preparing the right bath brooms.

Bath brooms are traditionally made from weeping birch. Usually these trees have a rather impressive height, while possessing long, strong and quite flexible branches. Beautiful brooms are obtained from the branches of young and previously unflowered birch trees - such trees have the most delicate leaves.

Useful advice! When choosing branches, make sure that the upper side of the leaves is not rough, the branches are straight and rather thin, and the leaves themselves are velvety and tender.

Branches can be cut with a sharp knife or harvested in some other suitable way. For greater convenience, the collector can climb a tree, bend it down, tie it to some neighboring tree and collect the required number of branches. Birch, as noted, is quite flexible and durable, so such manipulations, provided they are carefully performed, will not harm.

Important! Do not immediately tie the collected branches too tightly. The material is hung on a strong rope under a protective canopy so that direct contact with the sun is excluded. There must be a draft in the room. A week later, the brooms are already quite thoroughly dry. In this state, they are allowed to be laid out tightly on racks in a dry, ventilated room, for example, a dressing room or a barn.

It is better that the finished bath broom looks like a fan, and does not look like a broom. To comply with this recommendation, a fresh broom should be laid out on the floor and turned over daily, repeating until the products are dry. Otherwise, the material may dry out or dry incorrectly.

For example, if the harvester ties birch branches tightly from the very beginning, the leaves in the center of the broom will become dark and “burn out”, which is why they will have practically no aroma.

The color of properly dried brooms is a concentrated green, pleasant matte. The branches should emit a scent of balsamic birch oil, which intensifies when steamed.

It is also correct to collect branches on brooms in June for the reason that during this period the leaves already grow to a fairly large size, but retain desired level essential oil glands, which are present, at the same time, not only in foliage, but also in young birch shoots. Non-old large shoots retain high elasticity, thanks to which whipping with such a broom is easily tolerated by a visitor to the bath.

Summing up the above, we can draw the following conclusion: branches with strong and young leaves are used to harvest birch brooms. Such foliage contains a maximum of useful components for humans. On the territory of Russia, depending on the climatic zone, optimal time for harvesting birch brooms can vary from early June to mid-July.

Choosing a time and place to collect branches

The right time for harvesting determines the quality, service life, aroma and softness of brooms. For example, if you collect branches too early, subsequent steaming will make the broom flimsy, short-lived and slippery. A well-prepared product will “keep the sheet” for as long as possible.

A high-quality broom is fragrant, durable and “holds the leaf” well

Dry weather is chosen for harvesting. If the foliage is moistened with dew or rainwater, when dried, it will collapse, twist, fly around, darken. If it rained the day before, it is better to wait a few days, and only after that collect branches for the preparation of brooms.

To assemble branches, choose an environmentally friendly place, remote from highways and other pollutants. In practice, two-year-old branches growing near the ground have the best properties. For cutting, it is convenient to use a secateurs.

What to do with branches after harvesting?

An attic is well suited for storing harvested branches, even better - a pile of hay. For storage of blanks in urban conditions, a balcony or even a mezzanine is suitable. In this case, the brooms will need to be wrapped in paper bags first.

Drying brooms on the roof of the barn is also allowed. This is done in the following sequence:

• meadow hay is spread over the roof;
• birch branches with small gaps are laid out on hay;
• a layer of hay is laid out on top of the branches;
• daily (some experts advise increasing this interval to 2-3 days), the branches turn over. This is done throughout the month.

Most often, dried blanks are tied in pairs to a rope and stored in this position. You can not knit brooms at once, but combine branches into small sheaves. Sheaves are wrapped in hay and stored in the attic. Before going to the bath, the required number of branches is pulled out of the sheaf and tied into a broom.

Instructions for knitting a birch broom with your own hands

The image shows a step-by-step sequence of knitting a birch broom for a bath. For a better understanding of the process, check out the more detailed guide for this activity. The necessary information is presented in the table.

Table. Knitting a birch broom

Stage of workDescriptionPhoto

Pre-spread dried birch branches on burlap and leave for a couple of days. Branches dried in this way are better suited for harvesting birch brooms.
At this moment, everything is individual: some attendants love massive brooms, others prefer small products. The only standardized recommendation is regarding the length: keep it within 0.4-0.8 m. A shorter or longer broom will simply be inconvenient to use.
At the location of the handle, knots and foliage are removed. In general, about a third of the total length of the product is subject to cleaning.
The peeled branches are collected together. The product, in this case, is given a flattened shape. The frame is created from thicker branches - they must be placed inside the future product. Thin blanks are laid out around the frame. Position them with an inward bend. The leaves should be facing in the same direction, and the branches should lie like a fan. In this case, the broom in the course of the bath massage will “hug” the body of the bather. One thick and dense product is enough for an average of 2-3 visits to the steam room. After that, it crumbles and becomes unusable.
Pre-cleaned and collected branches are wrapped with twine: with one hand you squeeze the workpieces, with the other you wind the rope. There are no secrets here: the main thing is that the branches are tightly fastened. A strip of fabric is wound at the end of the handle - without it, there is a high risk of getting blisters in the future. The recommended handle length is 150 mm. The highest quality is ensured when tying the branches with twine in several rows near the foliage, and not along the length of the handle - a handle with a free end is more convenient to use, it will not slip out even with the most powerful movements.

Useful advice! When assembling a broom, add some fragrant herbs to its composition. For example, thyme and chamomile are well suited, mint and blackcurrant do not interfere. If nettles, spruces and other thorny plants are added, they should be placed inside the product to eliminate the risk of injury and discomfort.

Don't make the broom too heavy. At this moment, be guided by your own feelings: the product should be comfortable and light just for you.

Subsequent drying of brooms

There are many ways to dry brooms. Regardless of the characteristic features of each method, there remains one main general rule: brooms should dry in the shade. Direct contact with the sun's rays leads to rapid fading and curling of leaves, volatilization of fragrant and useful components, loss of aroma and external qualities. A broom dried in the sun will crumble immediately after steaming.

The room should have a moderate draft. The presence of powerful drafts is unacceptable, because. because of them, the final quality of the finished brooms will also not be the best. Ideally, the chosen room should be dry, cool and dark. During drying, brooms can be both folded and hung. To ensure uniform drying of the branches, as noted, the blanks must be turned over daily.

The easiest drying option involves hanging brooms from a pole or even a simple rope. To provide protection from the sun, the cord is pulled under a suitable canopy.

It was previously mentioned that best form for a broom is a fan. To ensure compliance with this recommendation, about a week after the start of drying (during this period, the brooms begin to rustle a little), you need to tightly tie the collected branches and lay the blanks tightly. They will cuddle and gradually flatten, becoming like a fan.

Some clarifications require a method involving drying in hay. First, the hay must be sufficiently dried and fresh. Laying of products, in this case, is carried out in circular layers. The foliage should be directed directly to the center of the stack. Fragrant hay is laid between the layers. Drying in such conditions contributes to the maximum preservation of aroma, color, as well as shape and quality characteristics.

It is possible that the first harvesting experience will end with the drying of the products. In this case, you should not get too upset and get rid of blanks - brooms can be “reanimated”. To do this, “marriage”, firstly, must be steamed for a longer (literally several minutes) time, and secondly, after steaming, the product should be held on the heater. Steam emanating from the stacked stones will contribute to the rapid restoration of brooms.

Important! After carrying out "resuscitation measures", be sure to remove the fallen leaves from the heater.

Having prepared brooms, ensure their proper and careful storage. The room should be cool, shady and well ventilated. Violation of any of the above recommendations will lead to yellowing and discoloration of the foliage, it will lose its aroma and freshness.

Hay is well suited for storing brooms, as well as for pre-drying them. In such conditions, the foliage will be even more saturated with useful elements, due to which its aroma will noticeably improve. For storage in urban areas, plastic or paper bags and vacuum packaging can be used.

If a bath broom crumbles due to repeated use, an excuse can be found for this - nothing lasts forever. Much more tragic are the situations when the foliage instantly flies around after the first steaming. This state of affairs is direct evidence of a violation of the rules for harvesting birch brooms.

You can find a description of the most common errors in the following table.

Table. Mistakes when preparing bath brooms

ErrorsExplanations

Practice shows that brooms are best prepared with a small margin. However, you should not be too zealous either: it is much more pleasant to use a fragrant and fresh broom every time.

Before use, brooms are traditionally steamed. Fresh products do not need such preliminary preparation - they can become sour. Dry blanks before use are dipped for 10-15 minutes in cool water, then for a couple of minutes in boiling water.

If the birch broom is too dry, the steaming time can be increased. In this case, the basin is filled with boiling water, after which the product is lowered into the water and covered with a second bowl on top. Another a good option- dip the product in boiling water for a couple of seconds, and then put it on the heater. In this case, you need to carefully monitor the condition of the broom, slightly shaking and rotating it to prevent burning. Usually 2-3 such approaches with a total duration of up to 1.5-2 minutes are enough to bring the broom back to normal.

It is more convenient to go to the bath with brooms together. The person undergoing a massage session is located in a supine position. It is recommended that the performer first wear gloves so as not to get blisters (if a fabric is wound around the handle, as recommended in the instructions above, you can refuse to use gloves).

Tune in right away: soaring with a broom is a whole science. First of all, remember the most important rules:

• massage is performed with a wet broom. Periodically, the product should be moistened with a little warm water;
• touches with a broom to the body should be light, soft and barely perceptible;
• if the steam room is heated to more than 60 degrees, you need to use a birch broom as carefully as possible, otherwise the steam will leave burns.

Competent bath massage improves blood circulation, normalizes metabolic processes, gets rid of pathogens, strengthens the skin.

The traditional sequence of bath massage using a broom is as follows.

One person lies on his stomach and places his hands along the body. The second bath attendant takes 2 birch brooms and carefully, slowly, from the bottom up, strokes the torso of the first bath attendant. Brooms, at the same time, do not come off the skin. During the reverse movement, birch brooms are carried out on the sides of the body. You need to repeat all this 2-3 times.

At the next stage, the massage therapist lifts the birch brooms up to take in some heated air, after which he lowers them onto the lumbar region of the first attendant and presses them with his hand for a couple of seconds. Such manipulation helps to restore the spinal muscles after heavy loads, get rid of pain and quickly cure various injuries.

If you take bath procedures without brooms, then the effect of skin cleansing and the benefits of the procedure are reduced.

From pain in the lower back and back, the so-called. stretching. To carry it out, both birch brooms are placed on the lower back, after which one is assigned to the back of the head, and the second to the legs. It is necessary to make such a wiring at the same time. Similarly, the knees and shoulder blades are worked out.

Important! During the massage, you need to make sure that the brooms touch the body of the attendant, and not just move through the air. Violation of this recommendation in an overheated steam room will lead to burns. If an unpleasant burning sensation is detected, the broom should be moistened with cool water.

A very useful technique is fastening. Such a massage is carried out by providing fast lashing movements with the end of a birch broom on the bath attendant's body. The back is worked out first, then the lower back, and in the end they pay attention to the pelvis, hips and further to the feet. The whole procedure takes about a minute. At the end, the body of the bather is stroked with brooms, but at a higher speed than at the beginning of the procedure.

A stronger massage is whipping. It is carried out in the following sequence:

• the broom rises up to capture some air;
• all parts of the body are whipped 2-3 times;
• alternately with whippings, a “compress” is performed (described earlier, when the broom is pressed against the body for a couple of seconds).

Plowing is also an interesting and useful massage technique, which involves lightly waving a broom with barely perceptible touches on the skin. “Processing” is best to start from the legs, gradually moving up along the body, and then pay attention to the sides, moving in the opposite direction. During the procedure, light warm air currents will be felt.

If it is necessary to warm up the body more intensively, the broom should be periodically lifted up and shaken. A broom heated in this way is pressed for a couple of seconds to the lower back and shoulder blades, knees, and feet. If necessary, cool the product with cool water.

The massage ends with rubbing. To do this, the performer takes the broom by the handle, and with the other hand, slightly pressing on the part with foliage, slowly and gradually rubs the body. The legs and arms are rubbed along, the torso is worked out in all directions.

Important! After the described massage, a slight dizziness may occur - be careful in your movements.

Easy steam for you!

Video - Harvesting birch brooms for a bath

When to knit brooms for a bath: the collection of raw materials and the beneficial properties of plants

A broom is the basis of the Russian bath, of course, it can also be purchased at a specialized store, but it is much better to prepare it yourself. Then there will be complete confidence that the raw materials are collected in accordance with all the rules and contain the whole range of useful substances. Knitting brooms for a bath can be combined with a trip to nature.

Harvesting must be carried out in a certain period of time, otherwise it will not be possible to achieve the desired effect. Many types of trees and medicinal herbs are suitable for a broom. The main requirement is the growth of the plant in an ecologically clean area, away from roads and settlements.

Which plants are suitable for knitting brooms: the period of collection of raw materials

One of the most popular plants in Russia is birch, but not only it is suitable for knitting brooms.

There are traditional types:

• oak;
• Linden;
• Juniper;
• Eucalyptus;
• tansy;
• Wormwood;
• Rowan;
• Nettles;
• Spruce.

Each of them is endowed with different useful properties aimed at restoring body functions. The quality of the future broom and its durability directly depend on where and when the raw materials were collected.

Birch: collection time and useful properties

By right, this plant is considered the best participant in bath procedures. It renders soft action on the body. The beginning of the collection of raw materials falls on mid-June and continues until August 2nd. Young flexible twigs of weeping birch and curly birch growing on the banks of water bodies are best suited.

They cut with their own hands only side shoots about 50-60 cm long, without affecting the tops of the trees. Collection at the beginning of summer is quite justified - by this time the foliage has already absorbed enough useful substances and filled with essential oils.

What are the requirements for birch branches and leaves:

• The age of the tree should not exceed 2-3 years;
• The outer side of the sheet is tender and smooth, rough and hard broom will turn out of the rough ones;
• The size of the leaves is small and medium;
• There should be no knots on the branches.

Only a dry day is suitable for harvesting, if it rained the day before, you will have to wait a few days.

What effect do the substances contained in birch leaves have on the body:

• Relieves aches in muscles and joints;
• Eliminates irritation on the skin, cleansing it well;
• Wounds heal several times faster;
• Renders positive influence on the Airways- very useful for long-term smokers and asthmatics.

Note!
The infusion left after steaming a broom is very useful for the scalp - it relieves itching and eliminates dandruff.

Oak broom: when to collect

The second most popular tree after birch is oak. It is harvested in July-September, "winter" is most suitable - it does not shed leaves and, accordingly, is more durable. If you are lucky enough to find a tree growing in a dense dark forest next to large burdocks, then the branches from it are also suitable for collection - the leaves do not crumble from them for a long time.

The most popular species can be called pedunculate oak - this is the most common, it grows throughout Russia. Young trees 3-4 meters high are suitable, small plants should not be touched - they may die. Plants should be given rest and brooms should be harvested from them no more than once a year.

The earlier the broom is prepared, the more tender the foliage, but it will also be less durable. They are cooked until the first frost, then it is no longer possible. But the optimal time ends in September, then the quality of raw materials drops.

To know how to knit oak brooms for a bath, you need to understand their useful properties:

• Unlike birch, oak does not cause profuse sweating, therefore it is more suitable for owners of oily skin;
• The skin becomes more dense, tannins and essential oils cleanse, have bactericidal properties and give dullness and elasticity, preventing aging;
• You can steam with such a broom for people prone to high blood pressure and heart disease - it calms nervous system and helps to reduce pressure;
• It has a strong anti-inflammatory effect.

Brooms are knitted in two ways: with a shovel and a ball. This does not affect the properties in any way and depends on personal preferences.

Features of harvesting brooms from other raw materials

Not only the usual trees and shrubs can serve as raw materials for bath brooms. For them, medicinal herbs are used, which are not necessarily used as decoctions or tinctures. One of the methods of treatment is "driving" them into the skin.

To do this, herbs are collected and tied into bunches by species or prefabricated brooms are made. For the correct selection of herbs, you need to know when to collect them and how to knit brooms for a bath, combining different raw materials. Everyone has it medicinal plant there is a collection period. It is at this time that it accumulates the maximum amount of nutrients.

For brooms, flowers and leaves are harvested on a long stem, so that it is convenient to tie them. They are harvested by hand, the plants must be without signs of wilting and grow away from roads.

Suitable for use in a steam room:

• Tansy - collected at the end of summer, dried in the shade. Brooms from it contribute to healing skin diseases and pain in the joints;
• Wormwood - brooms can be knitted all summer, but best time to collect the month of June. It relieves irritability and improves sleep;

• Nettle - young plants are harvested in May. At this time, it is not particularly stinging and can be used even in fresh. The plant has a tonic effect;
• Yarrow - harvested during flowering, used in combination with other herbs. Relieves irritation on the skin;
• Chamomile - it is harvested in June. Bunches of plants are tied into birch or linden bath brooms. Soothes and disinfects wounds.

Note!
Medicinal herbs as bath brooms should be used only after consulting a doctor, and if there are no contraindications.

If the time for collecting medicinal herbs and other raw materials for brooms coincides, then they can be dried together with each other. You need to know how to properly tie a broom for a bath if there are several types of plants in it. Herbs are usually placed in the middle and hidden by the main branches.

Before harvesting and knitting brooms from different plants, you need to familiarize yourself with their useful properties, which are described in the instructions for use. Medicinal raw materials are dried and stored for no more than one year.

When brooms are knitted from needles and eucalyptus

It is pointless to harvest branches of coniferous trees for the future, because when the needles dry, they fall off. Therefore, real connoisseurs and lovers of steam cut branches immediately before going to the bath. As a result, fresh brooms can be used throughout the year. The exception is juniper, but it is not stored for a long time.

How to knit bath brooms from coniferous plants so that excess resin does not interfere with steaming? It is necessary to compose them in a certain sequence: thick branches are laid inside, and on the outside they are lined with flexible and thin ones. It is useful to add branches of other plants and tie them with a tourniquet, they will close the handle and the resin will not get dirty.

Branches of some trees not growing in middle lane Russia, harvested until the end of November. For example, eucalyptus, whose leaves are just gaining full strength by this time. Dry raw materials at a temperature not exceeding 35 degrees, in the shade. For greater safety, they are packed in paper or cloth bags.

Eucalyptus brooms help in the treatment of skin and colds, stimulate immune system. Since its branches are very thin and flexible, it is advisable to combine it with birch. The price for them depends on the size and length of the branches.

Conclusion

Bath brooms are used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes. The time for harvesting raw materials for bath brooms varies depending on the plant, but to a greater extent it falls on May-September, with the exception of needles. It is during this period that the accumulation of useful substances takes place.

In order for bathing procedures to bring joy, it is important to correctly knit brooms and store them. The video in this article will tell you when and how to collect herbs and tree branches.

Preparation of bath brooms: combining business with pleasure

• How to make “bouquets” for a bath from various plants
• Healing properties

Soaring with a broom is a primordially Russian tradition that has many advantages. The preparation of brooms for a bath lasts from May to the end of August and depends on which branches of a bush or tree they are made of.

General rules for harvesting, knitting and storage

It is best to use fresh branches, they have more phytoncides, essential oils and others. active substances. But, out of season, you have to take previously prepared brooms with you to the bathhouse.

In the central part of Russia, the main preparations are made in May-June. During this period, trees, shrubs and herbs bloom, the leaves have already grown stronger, gained juice and have the greatest aroma.

Advice from the master!

Branches should be cut in dry weather. Even slightly wet from rain or dew, the leaves will quickly curl, fly around or deteriorate. The cut material must be stored in the shade. Under the influence of direct sunlight, useful essential aromatic substances will disappear from them.

In short, the rules for preparing brooms for a bath are as follows. There are several methods for drying related branches.

You can do this in a dry and darkened part of the attic of the house, bathhouse, garage. But a small pile of hay is best. In the city, brooms can be stored on the loggia, balcony or mezzanine in paper bags.

You can also dry them on the roof of the barn:

• Spread meadow hay on it
• Put branches on it with small gaps from each other
• Top them with a layer of hay
• Turn the branches every 3 days for a month

Then cover them with fresh grass and leave to dry until early October. In autumn, you can start tying brooms.

As a rule, “bouquets” are kept on a rope, tied in pairs. But, you can not knit them right away, but make small sheaves of twigs. They are stacked in the attic or in the barn, wrapped in hay. Before visiting the bath, pull out a few branches from the sheaf and tie a broom.

It must be done like this. Put thicker branches inside, they will serve as the basis. Around them, bending inward, distribute thinner branches.

Remove knots and leaves from the workpiece handle in advance. Make the broom light so that the hand does not get tired when using it. After you collect the branches, wrap them with twine, and in order not to get hurt, cover the handle with a thin cloth or bandage.

They think that the most the best brooms obtained from soft, flexible birch branches.

It is no coincidence that birch has been the most common in Russia since time immemorial. But everyone has different preferences. Many people like to steam with oak or linden products. Which one is better? The debate continues to this day...

The harvesting process itself is not too complicated. But in order for the prepared broom to be suitable for the steam room, certain rules must be followed. Harvesting of birch brooms for a bath traditionally falls on the Trinity. But not everywhere the birch "ripens" everywhere, and not all types of wood are suitable for brooms. A tall tree with long, thin, straight branches is chosen - a weeping birch.

To know for sure whether the branches of this birch are suitable or not, you need to try the leaf with your tongue: if the leaf is rough, the tree does not fit. The leaf should be velvety, tender. In addition, the taste of the sheet also speaks about the preparation time. As soon as it ceases to be sweetish and begins to taste bitter, then the time for harvesting has come. Birches, from the branches and leaves of which brooms will be made, should not grow near roads, near enterprises or in the city center. It should be an ecologically clean area outside the city limits - clearings, edges, clearings. for the bath is carried out in the early morning hours after the dew has disappeared. It should be a careful cutting of extra branches. Basically, young, flexible, well-bending branches with small leaves are used.

Cut raw materials must be dried in the shade for an hour.

How to knit a broom

Dried branches at the base are stripped of leaves and knots and tied with twine. Thick branches are placed in the middle, and thin ones are wrapped around. The broom turns out thick. The handle is made 15-20 centimeters long. Related brooms are placed under oppression to acquire a flat fan shape until completely dry. Then the broom is suspended in a ventilated room for a couple of days. It is best to store brooms in a refrigerator, but if this is not possible, then in a well-ventilated cool room: attic, garage, balcony - for two years. Preparation of birch brooms for the bath is completed. Now it's time to go to the bath. But you need to take a dry product with you, and not just cooked.

We steam a broom

A dry birch broom is taken to the bathhouse in order to take a steam bath. By the way, fresh brooms do not steam, as they become sour, becoming heavy, can burn the skin. Dry brooms are steamed: they are lowered for 5 minutes into a basin with cold, warm and, finally, hot water. A basin with hot water and a broom should be covered so that it is steamed. When you feel the aroma of essential oils from the broom, you can take it out. It is ready to work on your body, massaging it and improving blood circulation, cleansing respiratory system, making breathing easier for asthmatics and smokers, cleansing the skin well. It remains to wish you health and light steam with a birch broom!