A guide to steam rooms

Temperature range: 35 – 50°C

Percentage Humidity: 95 –100%

What is a steam room?

A traditional steam room is a warm room with very high humidity levels. It should ideally have steam as its only source of heat to ensure maximum humidity within the room. Sometimes, however, the floor and benches are also heated for added comfort. It is important that you shower before bathing to cleanse your skin and remove any impurities. A steam room should have comfortable, ergonomically shaped seating enabling you to fully relax. Remain seated for as long as you feel comfortable, which can be anything between 5 and 20 minutes. Cool off either with a Kneipp hose within the room or with a refreshing shower on exiting. Use a few drops of essential oil to further enhance your bathing experience. (Please see page 26 for a list of Essential Oils and their benefits)

A more extreme experience is the ‘hot baptism’ where a strong blast of air enters through a nozzle in the ceiling pushing the hot steam down onto the bather.

The benefits of a steam room

The heat produced by the steam helps the blood vessels to dilate increasing circulation throughout the body. This can help provide relief from headaches and also boost your immune system. Toxins in the body are eliminated through sweating leaving the skin clearer and softer (especially if you exfoliate when bathing). Inhaling steam is a great treatment for respiratory complications and is recommended for dealing with the common cold, flu, bronchitis, sinusitis, asthma, and allergies. Dry air passages are moistened and mucus is loosened by coughing or blowing the nose. The moist air also alleviates difficulty when breathing, throat irritation and inflammation of the airways. Essential oils work particularly well in steam rooms as the oil is gently infused into the steam, filling the room with your chosen fragrance.