From which birch tree to take brooms for a bath? When are birch brooms prepared for a bath and how are they made? How to steam fresh brooms

We built a bathhouse on our summer cottage and really want to start using it next season.

And, of course, we need brooms. Where is the best place to get them, what raw materials should they be from? How to knit and store them?

Igor Sergeevich DUBOV, Pskov

Although they say that there are no generals in the bathhouse, real steamers consider a broom to be such. It enhances the effect of the procedure by promoting greater opening of skin pores, regulating the distribution of heat over the surface of the body, massaging its surface and removing even deeply ingrained impurities.

The right broom contains phytoncides - specific organic substances that destroy viruses and microbes. Evaporating, they enter the air of the steam room, giving you the opportunity to breathe the cleanest air. And the essential oils contained in the broom penetrate the skin and produce a rejuvenating effect. By the way, it can be strengthened by adding medicinal herbs to the broom.

Now let's figure out where to get brooms. The simplest thing is to buy it near the bathhouse or in a specialized department of the store. However, there will be no confidence in quality, because it is not known how and when the branches were cut, or in what conditions the raw materials or finished products were stored. The best option would be to purchase brooms from “your” seller, the quality of which you have no doubt about.

What are bath brooms made from?

Many people prefer to cut the brooms themselves. But for this you need to have conditions for their storage, as well as know certain harvesting rules.

First of all, you need to determine what to make brooms from. Now the raw materials used for them are birch, wild rosemary, oak, heather, linden, maple, chestnut, poplar, viburnum, willow, alder, hazel, rowan, ash, eucalyptus, conifers, juniper, laurel, currants, cherries, sweet cherries, plum, lilac, bird cherry, nettle, fireweed. In addition, you can make all kinds of mixes (mixtures) both from traditional crops and by weaving medicinal herbs into them.

Raw material collection time

The timing of cutting raw materials is of no small importance. In the Orthodox tradition, the period for preparing brooms is a period of two weeks after Trinity (50 days after Easter), but I believe that since Easter moves annually according to the calendar, this guideline can be used conditionally - to the extent that you trust folk signs and traditions In fact, one must proceed from the actual phase of crop development, which depends on a large number of factors (soil conditions, average temperatures, abundance of precipitation, etc.).

Since brooms are made from various trees and crops, the harvesting time will depend on the selected source material. For example, the last ten days of June and the first ten days of July are ideal for harvesting birch brooms - the leaves are in their sap, the concentration of nutrients is at its peak, and the branches are quite flexible and strong. The best time for heather is from mid-May to mid-June; the same period is acceptable for making viburnum brooms. The time for harvesting oak branches is August and September. Willow reveals its qualities best in May.

The best time for maple is from late August to early September. Linden must be harvested before active flowering (May-June), then you can be sure of the maximum healing effect. It is best to harvest nettle brooms at the beginning of summer, as later the plant becomes coarser and loses some of its leaves.

The good thing about juniper brooms is that they can be prepared at almost any time. But if it is not possible to get to this plant in winter, you can collect its branches for future use during the summer. Alder is harvested from May to July, and rowan - in June and July, at the same time you can harvest lilacs and bird cherry.

It is better to prepare a plum broom in early June. Currants and cherries can be used fresh all summer, and are best harvested in June-July. Personally, I use cherries throughout the period while they are covered with leaves. I tear off a couple of branches and steam them together with the main broom, and when it’s time to steam, I apply the cherry to a broom from another crop.

Rules for preparing bath brooms

It is best to harvest most crops in dry, sunny weather - branches collected at this time hold the leaves better. The best time to go for brooms is in the morning, but after the dew has fallen. Remember that in the forest you should not stop at one tree and pick it. what is called sticky: it can harm him. So take your time and your legs, walk around and try to cut branches from as many trees as possible.

It is best to use the middle part of the tree, where the branches are already quite strong, but still retain their elasticity. Preference should be given to two-year-old trees.

When harvesting branches, do not break them with your hands, but use a sharpened pruner. Cut branches 50-60 cm long, although this will depend on your preference for the length of the broom and how the leaves have grown at the time of harvesting.

There are two ways to prepare brooms: the first is when the branches are not knitted immediately, but are collected into a large sheaf, which is stored in a special place, and only before going to the bathhouse, part of the shoots is taken from it for knitting a broom: the second method is the immediate “release® of the finished “ products”, which is convenient to take to the bathhouse without additional hassle.

The “firm” knits brooms

Regardless of the chosen harvesting method, before you start knitting a broom, you need to clear the branches of twigs and leaves where the handle will be located (about a third of the length). Then they begin to assemble the broom - thicker and coarser branches are placed inside, they will serve as the core base. Then they begin to apply smaller and thinner branches to it - always bending inward (then the broom does not fall apart so much), do not forget that the resulting structure must be dense. Having finished assembling the broom, we begin knitting the handle: we wrap the ends of the branches with rope (flax hemp works well), pulling it as tight as possible. After this, it is necessary to trim the edge of the handle so that no knots protrude from it. It is best to wrap a small cloth around the area where you are going to hold the broom. Do not use wire for tying - you can scratch your hands or burn your skin.

Drying and storing brooms

It is very important to dry the broom correctly; this determines how it will be stored, how much it will retain its beneficial properties and how long it will last in the bathhouse. Agree, it’s not very pleasant when a purchased broom, beautiful in appearance, loses half of its leaves even after soaking, but as soon as you hit it several times, it turns out that there’s nothing to steam with.

Drying must be done in a dry, well-ventilated area without direct sunlight. The ideal place is the attic of a bathhouse or barn. Brooms are dried in a suspended state; to do this, they are tied in pairs and thrown over a stretched rope or wire.

A very important rule is to use loosely laid brooms, then the drying process goes faster and molding of the leaves is avoided. After drying for a week, when the brooms begin to rustle, they are tied more tightly and placed in piles, pressing them against each other so that they take on the shape of a fan. Then the finished products are stored in a dry, ventilated room. Villagers can store brooms in the hay, while city dwellers can store them in paper bags.

BROOM WITH YOUR OWN HANDS – WHAT AND HOW TO USE STEP BY STEP..

On a note

If you are preparing brooms for the whole year, you need to store them either under a canopy or in a well-ventilated area. The brooms need to be tied in pairs and hung on a pole with the crown down.

“In a bathhouse, a broom is more valuable than money”

A GOOD BROOM IS NOT JUST AN ATTRIBUTE, IT IS THE MAIN ITEMS IN THE BATH. TIING HIM IS A WHOLE ART. THIS PROCESS SHOULD BE APPROACHED SERIOUSLY SO THAT AFTER VISITING THE STEAM ROOM YOU WILL BE PLEASURE AND NOT DISAPPOINTMENT.

Someone will say what is so difficult here? I cut the branches, tied them into a bundle - and the main bath attribute is ready, but this is not so. While such a broom is stored, its branches dry out. Before going to the bathhouse, the broom should be tied with twine, otherwise it will simply fall apart. If you dry the broom incorrectly, then at the first blows to the body the foliage will fall off.

A broom is knitted from branches of trees, bushes and even herbs. Birch, oak, cypress, juniper, and eucalyptus brooms are especially popular.

Often, in addition to tree branches, wormwood shoots are added; after steaming, it emits a bitter aroma and releases essential oils that penetrate the body through the respiratory tract and skin pores.

I will describe the process of knitting the main bath attribute using the example of the most common birch broom.

It's time to prepare brooms

You need to start collecting branches after Pegrov's fast (from June 24 to July 11). The harvesting season lasts no more than two weeks. By this time, the leaf on the trees is gaining full strength and subsequently holds on well. In August, juices practically stop flowing into the leaves; they gradually begin to wither. It is better to use such a broom immediately; it is not suitable for drying.

For my brooms, I take raw materials from 7-9 year old trees, cutting off their lower branches, and at the same time forming the crown of the tree.

I cut branches no shorter than 50 cm and not all in a row, but such that at the end there are not only leaves, but also small twigs (photo 7). The more such additional branches, the fluffier and softer the broom will be. Bundle

I tear off the lower branches on the branches and form a broom, stacking them on top of each other (photo 2). I make the butt with a diameter of at least 6-6.5 cm.

The formed broom must be tied properly. First, I determine the length of the butt - the most optimal is from 20 to 30 cm, but more is possible.

I grab the lower part of the broom with two turns of twine and tie a knot, not squeezing the branches too much, so that, having divided the broom into two approximately equal branches, it is possible to twist them with a figure of eight force with a couple of turns (photo 3). At this moment, the branches are so compressed by the rope that they do not give any slack when drying.

Then I twist both halves together in a braid. Near the foliage, I tie one half of it with twine to a knot near the very crown of the broom. Using two or three turns of the same twine around the entire butt, I forcefully squeeze the second bundle together with the first. After crimping, I tie the main knot (photo 4) I trim the bottom of the butt (photo 5) I lightly fluff the broom crown with my hands and shake it, giving it volume (photo 6)

Do-it-yourself bath broom - an interesting old-fashioned method

For many, visiting a bathhouse is a whole ritual to cleanse the body. And of course, one cannot imagine a bathhouse without a good broom. It can be purchased in the bathhouse itself, or at the market.

But the majority of those who like to take a good steam bath, using a high-quality broom, do it themselves. As they say, if you want it done well, do it yourself. Preparing brooms for a bathhouse requires certain knowledge and approach. This is what we will talk about now.

It is known that a bath broom is not made from branches of one tree. For this purpose, they use different trees, oak, linden, and also herbs, nettles, for example. Can be combined. This is the type of tree or plant from which the brooms for the bath will be prepared, the timing for each is separate.

Since ancient times, people began to prepare brooms for the bathhouse, with the advent of the Trinity holiday.

Trinity falls differently every year. You can find out about her arrival by looking at the calendar of church holidays. In 2016, Trinity was on June 19, and in 2017, even earlier, on June 4.

The next fourteen days after Trinity are best suited for collecting preparations. These days, trees and various plants have already accumulated enough fresh sap and gained new strength.

Each broom, depending on what it is made of, gives a different effect.

Linden broom is best harvested from early July to August. Along with linden branches, willow, rowan, and alder are added to the broom. It is best to cut branches from trees that are located away from the industrial area. zones. A linden broom is very good to use for those who often have headaches or problems with sweating.

Nettle broom has healing properties. Often this broom is used by those who have joint pain, salt deposits, or problems with the skin and muscles. They begin to harvest nettles when they bloom. This time falls in July. Bath broom made of nettle, disposable. If you prepare such brooms specifically for treatment, you need to take into account the fact that the nettle broom is a one-time use, and stock up on the herb in large quantities.

To prevent the nettle from burning, the broom is first poured with boiling water and then dipped in cold water. Do this alternating several times. It’s better to use a nettle broom immediately after taking it out of the boiling water.

Just like the linden broom, the oak broom is used for skin problems. It is especially good when using an oak broom that the skin restores color, oil balance, and undergoes very good cleansing.

Oak broom is harvested in late summer or early autumn. You can use it 2-3 times if you make the preparations correctly.

It has long been believed that in order to prevent the leaves from falling off an oak broom, the branches must be taken from the tree under which the burdock grows.

You can also watch the video on preparing oak brooms for a bathhouse.

When harvesting birch brooms for a bathhouse begins, the timing of collection is also important. And they begin after Trinity, and continue until Ilyin’s day “August 2”. And it’s better to take material from birches that grow closer to moisture. It’s good to stock up on young birch branches before buds appear on it. Choose branches that are the youngest and most flexible. No more than fifty centimeters.

When assembling the broom, you need to pay attention:

The leaves should lie in the same direction.
There should be about thirty branches in one broom.
The branches are tied tightly and tightly, preferably with a rope made of natural fabrics.
For greater density, the broom is tightened at several points.

Birch broom is useful for muscle pain and skin problems. It is often used by people involved in sports. The use of birch broom is practiced by smokers and people with lung problems.

Preparing birch and oak brooms for a bathhouse involves not only the correct collection of raw materials, but also the correct knitting and storage. Often, they arrange it so that the top branches hide the middle ones underneath. Everything is stored under hay, or any fabric of natural origin. Either a warm balcony or a barn is used as a warehouse.

Drying bath brooms is also a very responsible process. The first thing to remember is no direct sunlight. We dry it outside, but in the shade. Otherwise, the leaves will simply curl, wither, lose their appearance, and lose all their healing qualities. If, nevertheless, the broom was dried under the sun, and it still had a more or less decent appearance, then after steaming, all the leaves will fall off anyway. There is no point in storing such a broom, so initially, in order not to spoil the raw materials, you need to dry the bath broom correctly.

It is best to dry bath brooms on the veranda, or stretch a rope under the trees and dry there. The location is chosen without drafts, as they do not have a beneficial effect on the raw materials. When the brooms are completely dry, they are packed very closely and sent to the pantry. Thus, the broom takes on a flattened shape, which in the process of the guy in the bath creates a certain effect.

How hard the broom will be depends on the degree of steaming. In order to do this correctly, you need hot water, but not boiling water. If you need a hard broom, you can immerse it in water for only twenty minutes. A soft broom is obtained after steaming for fifty minutes. Then the broom is dried over the stove.

Some people first dip the brooms in cold water for about twenty minutes, and immediately plunge them into hot water.

A very important point. You can use the water in which the broom was steamed for aromatic steam. This water is also used as a body and hair rinse.

It happens that the broom is too dry. Then it is better to wrap it up, or simply cover it with a fairly damp towel, or leave it overnight in cool water.

The very first rule for storing bath brooms is low humidity and low temperature.

This can be any room in the form of a barn, garage, or balcony. You need to hide raw materials from high temperatures, otherwise the leaves will deteriorate.

Many people store brooms, adhering to Finnish technology. It involves sharp freezing, and the broom must be hermetically sealed.

In the bath science, a Russian person cannot have trifles. Moreover, if we are talking about a bath broom made of birch branches, then it’s hard to call it a trifle. It is important to know when to prepare birch brooms for a bath in 2019 so that the brooms are of the best quality.
It’s hard to imagine a full trip to the bathhouse without a broom. It should not only be beautiful in appearance, but also strong. It is for this reason that birch branches need to be collected from the tree at their special time, when they have a lot of sap and strength. And also useful in the summer.

How to understand that the time has come
How to tie a broom correctly

How to understand that the time has come

So, many experienced bathhouse owners say that the best date to prepare birch brooms for a bathhouse in 2019 is the date after Peter’s Day. That is, you can collect branches for brooms sometime after July 10th.
But in the old days in Rus' it was believed that the best brooms were harvested from those birches that were in bloom. That is, there should be earrings on the birch tree. It was then that the branches were cut to collect them into strong brooms for the bath. That is, they made preparations somewhere in early June.

In the modern world, when harvesting bath birch brooms, you need to pay attention to the climate. So, it is difficult to identify a universal time when to prepare birch brooms for a bathhouse in 2019. But it is definitely believed in modern bath art that branches with earrings are not suitable for making brooms. Perhaps they were suitable for royal baths, but today everything has changed. So, it is best to harvest branches on a broom in mid-July: this will be the most optimal solution.

About the correct preparation of brooms

When you have chosen the date to prepare birch brooms for a bath in 2019, you need to collect the twigs. After this, you need to properly dry them and collect them into brooms, which are really...

What is important to know when harvesting birch branches for bath brooms:

It is best to collect those branches that are closer to the ground;
Harvesting should be carried out exclusively in warm and dry weather;
The branches that are closest to the ground are the youngest. These are exactly what are needed to prepare strong brooms;
If the foliage is wet, then when drying the product it will become dark and curl, which is very bad for the quality of the broom;
Wet branches collected in a broom can quickly fly off;
If you collect branches for a broom incorrectly, the birch bath broom will lose most of its beneficial properties;
It is also important to choose the right birch tree from which you will take branches. The ideal option is when branches are collected from a young tree. In general, it is ideal if the tree has not bloomed even once, and its leaves are delicate and silky.
The birch tree itself should be beautiful and smooth, there should be no growths on it: after all, trees, like people, are susceptible to various diseases. A sick tree's foliage and branches will also be weak and will not bring the maximum benefit that every person expects from going to a Russian bathhouse.

Advice!
There is no need to collect branches from birch trees that grow next to roads. They absorb dirt from cars. So, it’s best to go to the forest or clean grove for supplies. It is ideal if the birch tree grows near a stream or river.

To feel the tree and its strength, you need to pick one leaf. Next you will need the bottom part of the sheet: it should not be rough (otherwise the broom will be rough and hard when used). The appropriate leaf is velvety and smooth.

How to tie a broom correctly

In this case, words will be superfluous, and especially for you we found a step-by-step photograph. A correctly assembled broom is half the success, and the other half is to choose the right period when to harvest birch brooms for a bathhouse in 2019, as well as to choose the right tree to collect the material.

A steam room broom made of oak branches is in second place after birch in popularity among bathhouse lovers. This “second line” is due, perhaps, only to the smaller prevalence wood (birch is still easier to find in Central and Northern Russia), and oak in its qualities is almost in no way inferior to its “competitor”, and in some positions it even surpasses it.

The timing of harvesting oak brooms for a bath and the procedure for knitting will be discussed below, but in order to know about their main qualities, about what diseases it is useful to use oak, you need to know the characteristics of this type of wood, since these factors are closely interrelated.

This tree is considered the most powerful in terms of energy among all species growing in Russia. There are strong beliefs, by the way, not denied by scientists, that by coming into contact with oak under any life circumstances, a person receives part of its strength, which means that the body has additional potential to fight various ailments.

That is why very often in Rus' they planted oak trees near the house and turned to them for help, asking for health for many years. Today, living in multi-storey buildings and not having a suburban area, it is difficult to grow your own"family" oak, which is why many turn to bonsai. This art allows you to grow an exact copy of a real tree, only in miniature form, in a flowerpot. An oak grown using this technique will always be present in the house, sharing its energy forces.

But this tree is rich not only in powerful energy - it contains in its bark, branches and leaves a large number of substances useful for the human body - gallic and ellagic acids, pectins, pentosans, flavone compounds, starch, sugar, phlobaphene, proteins, tannins and others substances.

For medicinal purposes, oak raw materials are always prepared during the active period. sap flow to preserve all the beneficial properties in it. Any preparations are dried in a place protected from the sun, and can be stored for five or even more years without losing their medicinal qualities.

Oak bark

Decoctions of oak bark are used to strengthen the walls of blood vessels, reduce excessive sweating, heal burns, purulent wounds, treat gums and get rid of other inflammatory processes in the mouth, with serious frostbite of the skin and bleeding hemorrhoids.

Oak bark is a famous natural remedy

Decoctions are also considered an excellent antidote for poisoning with heavy metal salts and mushrooms. They are used as a vitamin remedy for rickets and scurvy, and as a styptic for internal bleeding.

It should be noted that this is a fairly strong remedy, so before giving it to children, you should definitely consult a doctor.

Oak leaves

For medicinal purposes, young leaves are harvested along with branches. This process is carried out until mid-May, while the leaves are light green. They are dried by hanging under awnings and used throughout the year.

Decoctions are an excellent remedy for cuts and abrasions; they disinfect and help heal ulcers. In addition, they are used in the treatment of children suffering from nocturnal enuresis.

Oak fruits - acorns

Only those acorns that fall from the tree are considered mature. They are collected and dried away from sunlight - in attics or sheds with good ventilation, and final drying is carried out in ovens.

Dry fruits are cleaned, then fried until red, ground in a coffee grinder and consumed like coffee. This drink is useful for various diseases and has the following effects:

Bactericidal, astringent, antitumor and enveloping properties.
It strengthens and cleanses the stomach.
Treats gum disease and soothes toothache.
Stops bleeding of various kinds, including uterine.
Cleanses the body in case of poisoning.

Broom for steam room made of oak branches

All this was told for good reason - all the components of this magnificent tree, except for the listed methods of use, are widely used in “bath practice”. Decoctions are made from bark, leaves and acorns, which are poured onto the heater, and brooms, useful in all respects, are knitted from branches with young leaves.

The oak broom has fairly wide and strong leaves, so it rather resembles a fan. Thanks to this quality, they are excellent at pumping the heat coming from the heater to the body.

Using a broom is quite comfortable - it seems to be used to scoop up hot steam and direct it towards yourself. This quality can be called the first of its advantages over other breeds used for making bath brooms.

It is good to massage with the help of an oak broom, since the tannins contained in its leaves and branches have an excellent effect on the skin, making it more elastic.

Oak brooms are an excellent tool for bath massage

In addition, oak brooms reduce excessive sweating, as they cleanse the skin and activate the metabolic process. Thanks to this same quality, the skin becomes less oily and receives reliable protection from inflammation.

Using an oak broom in a steam room helps to significantly reduce blood pressure, which is very important for people suffering from hypertension.
To put your nervous system in order, you also need to go to the steam room, taking an oak “bouquet” with you, since the substances it releases have a calming effect.
This broom is suitable for various massage techniques - they are passed over the entire body, lightly patting it on the skin, pressed against the body, collecting sweat with it, rubbing certain areas, and also laying oak branches on a bench in the steam room.

In order for a broom to be used several times, and at the same time retain all its medicinal properties, the raw materials for it must be properly prepared and dried. A well-prepared oak broom can be used in a steam room three to five times.

Prices for oak brooms for baths

oak bath broom

Preparing brooms from oak branches

In the southern regions of the country, oak brooms are harvested from mid to late May, while in central Russia this event is held in the second half of June. At this time, the leaves are small in size and have a delicate structure, and the branches have not yet gained thickness or lost flexibility.

You can, of course, harvest throughout the summer, however, the closer to autumn, the stiffer the leaves become and the thicker the branches, so the broom will be heavier and less flexible.

You should not cut the branches too early, since the leaves will be too tender and have not absorbed any useful substances, so steaming will not give the desired therapeutic effect, and the strength of this broom will be extremely low.

Branches for such purposes are taken from the bottom of a large tree, which grows in the thicket of an oak forest, where sunlight penetrates least of all. A good guide to choosing a tree for cutting a broom will be the burdocks growing underneath it, which have large, succulent leaves. It is quite difficult to find single branches on old oak trees, so most often a branch with a thick leaf covering with good annual growth is selected. If the young growth on an old branch has the required length of 500 ÷ 550 mm, then it is cut off and subsequently formed into brooms.

Branches are also taken from young oak trees that are only three to four meters high - such trees have the optimal branch thickness and foliage size for a broom.

Branch of “winter oak”

Good brooms are made from “winter oak” - this is the name given to one of the varieties of tree that does not shed its leaves in the winter. The leaves change their hue from green to golden, but do not fly away, but remain firmly on the branches, although the sap flow in them stops. This type of oak does not grow in oak forests, but singly, and most often on high hills or on small hills.

It should be noted that better brooms are obtained from branches from trees growing in oak forests than those cut from single trees.

Rules for collecting branches

Traditional healers and experienced herbalists have developed rules that help preserve cut branches for bath brooms and collected medicinal herbs for a long time:

All natural raw materials– both branches and herbs must be harvested in the morning, but only after the dew has disappeared, in dry and clear weather.
You should not take limp branches that have already been broken off, since when steamed they will gain more moisture, becoming heavy.
The broom is cut only from those branches that have high flexibility - they bend well and do not break.
When preparing brooms, wood should be treated with the utmost care. You should not cut it down completely or deprive it of large side branches, as this can only harm the plant. If only young shoots are cut off in different places of the oak tree, then this helps it, since thinning out branches is very useful. If you treat the tree correctly, it will supply raw materials for baths and medicinal decoctions for many years.
You should not pick off young oak trees, for which the loss of several branches can be disastrous. You need to let the tree take root well and get stronger before using it for your benefit.

Video: tips for choosing oak branches for a bath broom

Knitting brooms

After cutting the branches, leaves and twigs are removed from their lower part, and then they are laid out on the table in one layer and left for one hour and a half. They should not be left piled in a heap, as such storage can cause the leaves to quickly fall off.

After this time, you can start knitting branches into brooms:

Each of the branches is shaken, and then they are folded into a “bouquet”. The branches are aligned along the top leaves - they should be located at the same height and create the required density of the broom.
Branches with thicker trunks are placed in the middle, but there should not be more than three of them in each broom, otherwise the fan will be too hard and can damage the skin. The thickness of the broom handle should not be more than 50 mm, otherwise it will be uncomfortable to hold. The length is usually 100 ÷ 120 mm, and the height of the fan is 450 ÷ 500 mm.
Next, the lower part of the branches, remaining without leaves, is compressed and tied with twine in two places - immediately under the leaves and below, forming a broom handle. You need to remember that you can’t tighten the handle too much yet; it will finally be tied when the broom dries out a little.
Some modern bathhouse lovers have adapted plastic brooms for tying self-locking clamps - “ties”. They tie the branches lightly at first, then, after drying, they tighten them a little, and before using the broom, they tighten them tightly.

The handles of tied brooms are trimmed with pruning shears. And then the finished bundles are placed under not very heavy oppression. This is necessary so that the brooms acquire a flat fan shape, and the branches do not stick out in different directions. The brooms are left in this form for one to two days.

After this, the brooms are hung in a ventilated shed or attic. Under no circumstances should you dry them in the sun, as the leaves will be overdried and may simply crumble.

Video: a visual example of tying an oak broom

Steaming an oak broom

All bath lovers have their own ways of steaming brooms:

A fresh broom is dipped in hot water for one to two minutes, and then you can steam it.

The easiest and fastest way to prepare a dry broom is to immerse the fan in cold water for three to five minutes, and then immediately transfer it to a container with hot water and leave for the same time.
Another method involves rinsing the broom in cold water and placing it completely in a warm bowl. After immersing the broom, close the container with a lid and leave for 10 ÷ 15 minutes. The main thing here is not to overexpose it in water, otherwise it will become limp and quickly crumble.
If for some reason the broom is very dry, place it in warm water for 5 ÷ 7 minutes, and then pull it out, shake it off and hold it over hot stones, turning it periodically. Both the fan and the handle will steam well, and the broom should become soft.
Some bath attendants soak dry brooms in cold water in the morning and leave them in it until late in the evening. Then they are taken out and wrapped in thick cloth overnight. A broom soaked in this way is not only soft, but also gives a very rich forest aroma. In addition, it is enough for several vaping sessions.
Sometimes steaming occurs in a contrasting way, when the broom fan is moved from cold to hot water, left in each container for 1 ÷ 2 minutes, and before entering the steam room it is doused with boiling water.
Other bath lovers prefer to prepare a broom the day before going to the steam room. After keeping the brooms in hot water for 15 ÷ 20 minutes, they are wrapped in plastic and left overnight. After entering the steam room, such a broom remains to be heated over the heater - and it is completely ready for bath procedures.

Do not throw water from steamed brooms onto the street. During the stay of the oak leaves in it, it is saturated with useful substances, and a kind of decoction is obtained. It is used to rinse the body, wash the hair, or poured onto the heater to create healing steam. After using this water, hair acquires a pleasant shine and receives a significant dose of vitamins. A decoction of oak leaves also has a positive effect on the skin, thanks to all the natural substances that this plant is rich in.

Naturally, it is difficult to get the desired results in one trip to the steam room with an oak broom - you need to do these bath procedures every week for a long time. Only in this case can you significantly improve your physical health and receive energetic strength from this amazing tree.

In conclusion, I would like to say that, despite the unique properties of oak, many bathhouse lovers prefer mixed brooms, consisting of oak and traditional birch branches. This complex combines all the necessary qualities for vaping - birch leaves stick well to the skin, collecting sweat and opening pores, and oak leaves nourish the skin with vitamins and strength.

Therefore, when preparing brooms, you need to collect different options, try each of them on yourself and choose the best one.

Having a good broom is only half the battle!

It is better to organize your first trip to a real bathhouse with an experienced person - so as not to unknowingly harm your health. – read in a special publication of our “bath encyclopedia”.

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

When to knit brooms for a bath

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

For church holidays or calendar dates, you can only focus on regions: our country is large. In some places it’s almost summer on Trinity Sunday, and in others the leaves have barely sprung. So it’s better to focus on the condition of the foliage.

When are birch brooms harvested?

Not much time is allotted for harvesting birch brooms: a week at most. You need 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 hard and falls off greatly in the bathhouse. So the harvesting period for birch brooms is very short.

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

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

But with sticky leaves you get a “soapy broom”. It has an excellent effect on the skin: it becomes silky and soft. But at the same time, leave the steam room with your skin covered in mucus. Not everyone likes this feeling. So here you have to choose: either more comfortable sensations with more “mature” foliage or elastic skin.

Birch brooms harvested in May smell differently than summer ones: 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 release this aroma. Such stripes are not found on all branches; they need to be selected separately. Running your hand along such a branch, you feel the tubercles - these are the very resinous odorous secretions. If anyone hasn't tried it, try it. Very pleasant sensations, although the sheet is sticky at this time.

Some bathhouse lovers especially appreciate birch brooms that grew near water - a river or lake (but not in a swamp). Such plants have long, elastic and flexible branches. Twigs, growing roots or stumps of birch trees are good. They are flexible, elastic 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 the large, beautiful and dense leaf: it turns out to be a whip. And this is not at all what is required from a bath broom.

If you don’t need to cut more than two or three pieces of a young tree, you can harm the plant. Know when to stop - take care of nature!

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

When preparing brooms, birch foliage should be dense and smooth. Some people recommend trying a birch leaf with your tongue. If it is rough, the branch is not suitable, if it is smooth and velvety, it is an excellent raw material.

You can navigate by the stem of a young birch leaf. If it has already turned reddish, you can cut it, but if it is green, it’s too early.

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

We prepare oak brooms

The harvesting period for oak brooms is longer: starting from the end of June, and some are harvested in August and early September. Depends on the year and region. But even in the same region, it differs greatly from year to year. In some areas you have to hurry: later the foliage is affected by diseases and becomes lethargic or spotted. But sometimes, after disease damage in August-September, the foliage on the oak tree grows back. Then you can also get excellent brooms.

When harvesting an oak broom in the 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 when harvesting birch, branched shoots with large leaves are taken.

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

For gourmet bathhouses, oak brooms, made from tree branches near which burdock grew, are highly prized. 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. The foliage should be large and abundant.

The preparation of oak brooms has its own specifics:

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

When to cut linden brooms

If you want a linden broom with color, you have a week and a half to prepare it. And that’s due to different species blooming at different times. In general, the best period is considered to be when most of the flowers have already opened. The aroma in the bathhouse is amazing.

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

There is a linden broom and a later preparation. He also has a period of two weeks - from August 15 to September 1. This is what experts say, who claim that previously collected linden branches contain, of course, more useful substances, but the leaf on them is too soft and, when steamed, curls and wrinkles so that it is absolutely impossible to steam with it.

Preparation of coniferous brooms: spruce, juniper

The “widest collection range” is found in coniferous species. There are no restrictions here. In Siberia, coniferous brooms are made both in the most severe frosts and in the summer...

Choose a warm, fine, dry day for harvesting. The branches begin to be cut after the dew has dried. They choose the young and flexible. There are no other recommendations.

How to make nettle brooms

Despite the “terrible” sting, you just need to try the nettle broom. Then you will really enjoy steaming with it. Harvesting them for the winter is problematic, except perhaps inserting a few branches into birch and oak trees. No other way. But you can steam fresh all summer long.

Young shoots without color, about 40-50 cm long, are cut off. They are made short and fluffy. It’s better to work with gloves: it stings. It turns out to be quite soft: only for one person.

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

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

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

There is one thing about using a nettle broom: it strongly stains the wood. Therefore, it is better not to put it on the shelves. Bring a rug and place it on it.

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

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

How to choose branches for a bath broom

Branches are cut from young trees that grow in sunny, non-wetlands, away from roads and enterprises with harmful emissions.

The length of the branches is selected depending on the selected broom size. Usually it is from 40 to 70-80 cm. Whichever is convenient for you. The thickness of the handle is selected in the same way. The diameter rarely exceeds 5 cm - it is difficult to swing too large and heavy, although it is a matter of taste and habit.

The branches should be smooth, free of diseases and dried parts. The foliage is thick and juicy, not too tough. 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 and will “capture” steam well. When you walk over your body with such a broom, you do not whip it, but massage it.

How to knit brooms for a bath correctly

Having selected suitable branches, you can immediately collect them 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's easier to work with them then.

The shoots are thicker on the inside and thinner on the outside. If there is a bend on the branches (and most often this happens), then the bend should point 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 that their shiny side is directed in one direction. When folding, give it the shape of a fan or a “bouquet” - they do it in different ways. The fan broom is more common: it seems to hug the body. The feeling is pleasant.

For the handle, remove the foliage from the bottom. Its length is selected individually, but the most optimal, established experimentally, is two palm widths. It is also necessary to expose the butts of the 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 distributed more evenly. For knitting, it is better to use natural materials: thick twine, hemp rope, medical bandage or other similar materials. It is better not to use metal wire: it heats up in the bathhouse and such a broom is very uncomfortable to hold in your hands.

There are several knitting techniques:

Used for knitting and clamps. Some are plastic, some are metal. They quickly tighten the handle and hold it tightly. Moreover, after drying, it will be possible to tighten it. To prevent all these puffs from rubbing your hand, then wrap the handle with thick cotton tape: sold in hardware stores, sometimes in hardware stores or haberdashery stores. You can wrap the handle with thick cotton rope (after using the broom, you can remove it and tie the next one).

There are still many ways to knit brooms. Some people use nautical knots, which make it possible to tighten the rope after drying, others place two parts of the branches crosswise with the butts, then tie them not very tightly, then forcefully connect the two parts and tie them finally at the butt and higher. Almost every master has his own secrets. But they are very reluctant to share them. 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 the brooms, they still need to be dried. They are immediately piled up, one on top of the other. They stay like that for a day or two. They become flat 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 made under a double roof: the heat will not “burn” the leaf, but will dry it out. But ventilation must be good. If you don’t have the luxury of your own attic, you can hang the broom on a nail in a well-ventilated place. In any case, you need to find a room where it is not exposed to direct sunlight. Only under such conditions the leaf remains green and does not fall off.

With any drying method, the 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.

How to store bath brooms

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

If you have your own hayloft, you can stack the brooms on dry hay, placing them loosely next to each other. Cover the top with dry hay. This is how our ancestors kept them.

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

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

As you can see, tying a bath broom yourself is not difficult. But this is just the beginning. Brooms, even the most wonderful ones, can be ruined by steaming them incorrectly. Read here how to avoid such trouble. Don’t forget to read the article, “How to take a steam bath properly.”

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

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

Harvesting must be carried out within 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 the broom. The main requirement is that the plant grows in an ecologically clean area, away from roads and populated areas.

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

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

There are traditional types:

Oak;
Linden;
Juniper;
Eucalyptus;
Tansy;
Artemisia;
Rowan;
Nettles;
Spruce

Each of them is endowed with various beneficial 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 beneficial properties

This plant is rightfully considered the best participant in bath procedures. It has a gentle effect on the body. The collection of raw materials begins in mid-June and continues until August 2. Young flexible branches of weeping birch and curly birch, growing on the banks of reservoirs, are best suited.

With your own hands, cut only side shoots about 50-60 cm long, without touching the tops of the trees. Harvesting at the beginning of summer is quite justified - by this time the foliage has already absorbed sufficient nutrients and is 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 leaf is tender and smooth; the rough ones will make a rough and hard broom;
The leaf size is small to medium;
There should be no knots on the branches.

Only a dry day is suitable for collection; 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 skin irritation, cleansing it well;
Wounds heal several times faster;
It has a positive effect on the respiratory tract - very useful for experienced smokers and asthmatics.

Note!
The infusion left after steaming the broom is very beneficial 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 its leaves and, accordingly, is more durable. If you are lucky enough to find a tree growing in a dense darkened forest next to large burdocks, then the branches from it are also suitable for collecting - the leaves from them do not fall off 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 cook them until the first frost, then they can no longer be cooked. But the optimal time ends in September, then the quality of raw materials drops.

To know how to properly knit oak bath brooms, you need to understand their beneficial properties:

Unlike birch, oak does not cause profuse sweating, therefore it is more suitable for those with oily skin;
The skin becomes denser, tannins and essential oils cleanse, have bactericidal properties and impart dullness and elasticity, preventing aging;
People prone to high blood pressure and heart disease can steam with such a broom - it calms the nervous system and helps reduce blood pressure;
Has a strong anti-inflammatory effect.

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

Features of preparing brooms from other raw materials

Not only ordinary 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 treatment methods is to “drive” them into the skin.

To do this, herbs are collected and tied into bundles by type or prefabricated brooms are made. To select the right herbs, you need to know when to collect them and how to knit brooms for a bath, combining different raw materials. Each medicinal plant has its own collection period. It is at this time that it accumulates the maximum amount of useful substances.

For brooms, flowers and leaves are prepared on a long stem so that they can be tied conveniently. They are collected by hand; the plants must have no 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 made from it help cure skin diseases and joint pain;
Wormwood - brooms can be knitted all summer, but the best time for collecting is June. It relieves irritability and improves sleep;

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

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

If the time of collecting medicinal herbs and other raw materials for brooms coincides, then they can be dried together. You need to know how to properly tie a broom for a bath if it contains several types of plants. 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 beneficial properties, which are described in the instructions for use. Medicinal raw materials are dried and stored for no more than one year.

When knitting brooms from pine needles and eucalyptus

It makes no sense to harvest branches of coniferous trees for future use, because when the needles dry out, they fall off. Therefore, real experts and lovers of steaming cut off the branches immediately before going to the bathhouse. As a result, you can use fresh brooms throughout the year. The exception is juniper, but it is not stored for long.

How to knit bath brooms from coniferous plants so that excess resin does not interfere with steaming? They must be arranged in a certain sequence: thick branches are laid inside, and the outside is lined with flexible and thin ones. It is useful to add branches of other plants and wrap them with a rope; they will cover the handle and the resin will not get dirty.

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

Eucalyptus brooms help in the treatment of skin and colds and stimulate the 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 occurs in May-September, with the exception of needles. It is during this period that the accumulation of useful substances takes place.

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

Preparing bath brooms: combining business with pleasure

Healing properties

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

General rules for preparation, knitting and storage

It is best to use fresh twigs, they contain more phytoncides, essential oils and other 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 become stronger, have collected juice and have the greatest aroma.

Advice from the master!

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

Briefly, the rules for preparing brooms for a bath are as follows. There are several methods for drying tied branches.

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

You can dry them on the roof of the barn:

Spread meadow hay on it
Place branches on it at small intervals from each other.
Cover them with a layer of hay on top
Turn the branches over every 3 days for a month

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

As a rule, “bouquets” are stored on a rope, tied in pairs. But you don’t have to knit them right away, but make small sheaves from the twigs. They are placed in the attic or barn, wrapped in hay. Before visiting the bathhouse, take out a few twigs from the sheaf and tie a broom.

This is how it should be done. Place thicker branches inside, they will serve as a base. Around them, in a bend inward, distribute thinner branches.

Remove twigs and leaves from the handle of the workpiece in advance. Make the broom light so that your hand does not get tired when using it. After collecting the branches, wrap them with twine, and to avoid injury, cover the handle with a thin cloth or bandage.

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

Birch brooms are harvested until mid-June. It is better to cut the branches immediately after the dew has disappeared.
Young weeping birch is most suitable for harvesting. It’s good if it has never bloomed before, such a tree has delicate leaves.

For a broom, choose straight, thin, long and flexible branches. Try to cut them from birch trees that grow next to the pond. To prevent the tree from dying, take only side branches or shoots at the roots.

Loosely tie the workpieces and hang them under a canopy on a rope or in a room that has good ventilation. Make sure that the branches are not exposed to the sun's rays. After a week, tie the dried pieces tightly and place them in a ventilated and dry room.

The finished broom should have a matte green color. It should give off the smell of birch balsamic oil, which intensifies in the steam room.

Almost all summer is suitable for collecting oak branches. Cut them from oak trees that grow in a damp and dark forest or oak grove. Oak brooms are knitted and dried in the same way as birch brooms.

Eucalyptus leaves are used for eucalyptus preparations. Branches are cut in August. It is recommended to include them in regular birch or oak “bouquets”.

Cherry and currant preparations are made at the beginning of summer. Unnecessary young shoots and growth at the roots are cut off. Linden, alder, and rowan branches are best prepared from July to mid-August.

Coniferous brooms are cut at any time of the year and used immediately. They are not suitable for storage because the needles fall off quickly.

Nettles are stored before and during the flowering period, in July. But wormwood brooms cannot be made while the plant is flowering. Otherwise, you will experience skin irritation after the steam room. Harvest stems that have already faded, but are strong and not withered.

Advice from the master!

Now, especially important tips for preparing brooms for the bathhouse. Please ensure that the bushes, trees and grasses from which you will make the fan grow as far as possible from factories, roads, and oil pipelines. It is not recommended to transport branches tightly packed, otherwise they will overheat and the leaves will fall off.