page_title: Bath broom
section_title: Birch bath broom
hierarchical_section_title: Bath broom / Preparation / Birch bath broom
caption_attribution_description: Русский: Жан-Батист Лепренс. Общественная баня. 1760-е гг. России
context_page_description: Bath broom is a besom, or broom, used for bathing in saunas, such as Russian banyas, Finnish saunas, Estonian saunas and Latvian pirtis.
  A bath broom is typically made with the branches and leaves of a tree or shrub which secretes aromatic oils. The branches and leaves are then dried and tied around a wooden handle. The broom is used to massage a bather's skin and generate heat.
context_section_description: According to an old tradition, bath brooms are usually prepared after Pentecost, which takes place fifty days after Easter,  usually in the first half of June. At this time of year, birch trees in different parts of Russia may be in different stages of their annual cycles. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to the stage of maturation of plants, when the leaves are the most robust. Bath brooms must be prepared on a dry day. Breaking the brooms takes place in the first half of the day, after the dew.
  The weeping birch tree is suitable for making bath brooms. Typically, these trees are tall, with very flexible, with long, spongy twigs. The best option is a young birch tree that has never bloomed before, since it will have the most tender leaves. The top side of the leaf should not be rough, but soft and velvety, while the branches should be thin and straight. The leaves will contain the highest possible concentration of beneficial substances.
  The twigs are first tied together loosely. They are then hung on a pole or a rope stretched under a canopy so they avoid direct sunlight. This should be done in a place with a good draft. After six or seven days, when the twigs are well dried, they are tied together tightly. The brooms are then densely stacked on shelves in a dry, well-ventilated place.
  It is best to form the broom into the shape of a fan and not a broom. In order to do this, the fresh twigs should be laid on the floor and turned over every day until they are dry. The brooms should not be dried out too much.
  Studies have shown that the best quantity and quality of therapeutic substances in bath brooms (including birch brooms) is achieved by following traditional methods of storing medicinal plants. Tightly tying fresh twigs together will result in the central leaves losing color, darkening, and smelling as if burnt.
  The broom should be woven after clearing the handle of leaves and small twigs. Then, the desired number of twigs is wrapped with string, while the left hand holds the twigs together. It is important to lay thicker branches on the inside, and the thin, curved ones around them. This makes the bath broom sturdier and it will be able to last several sauna sessions.
  Bath brooms should be stored in a haystack. Prepared branches can be stored in the dark in winter, in the form of a sheaf, and tied up whenever needed. In both cases, the leaves are better preserved.
  The oak used for making bath brooms is cut down between June and August in a humid, dark forest. The branches are dried and tied in the same way as the birch bath broom. A correctly dried bath broom should have perfectly green leaves and smell of balsamic birch oil. The smell should increase greatly after steaming the broom. Large shoots are very flexible and thus pleasant to use on the body in the sauna.
caption: Jean-Baptiste Le Prince, a public banya (1760s)
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