The History of The Finnish Sauna

The Traditions

The concept of using heat for cleansing dates back to ancient times. Early forms of saunas were often earthen pits or enclosed spaces heated by fire. Native American sweat lodges, Roman baths, and the "bania" of Russia all employed heat and steam for purification rituals. The wooden Finnish sauna, with its distinct wood-burning stove ( today electric ) and "löyly" (steam), evolved over generations, becoming an integral part of Finnish culture and well-being.

The earliest Finnish saunas were actually "smoke saunas." A fire was built in an enclosed space, and after the fire died down and the smoke cleared, people would enter to bathe in the residual heat. This method, while less common today, is still considered by some to be the most authentic and deeply cleansing sauna experience. It was believed that the smoke itself contributed to the detoxifying.

The Science of Sweat

Our bodies have sophisticated systems for eliminating toxins, primarily through the liver and kidneys. However, the skin, our largest organ, also plays a vital role. Sweating is one of the key ways our skin helps us detoxify.

When you enter a sauna, the heat causes your core body temperature to rise. This triggers your body's natural cooling mechanism: sweating. As you sweat, your body releases not only water but also small amounts of toxins that can accumulate in our systems. These can include heavy metals like lead and mercury, as well as certain chemicals found in plastics and other modern materials.