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.
The essential oils contained in the broom have a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin - nourish, rejuvenate, and make it more elastic. Using a broom is useful for joints and for treating the respiratory tract.
Knitting a birch broom
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.
The healing effects of birch branches
In Russian steam rooms, fragrant birch brooms are most in demand. After all, the branches of this tree are quite flexible, the leaves do not lose their elasticity even after drying. The described characteristics are preserved only when the process of cutting branches and drying them is carried out properly.
During paired procedures, healing leaves come into contact with the human body, absorb sweat and waste products, as a result of which the pores are effectively cleansed. Subsequently, the skin breathes well and intensively absorbs beneficial components. Typically, a birch bath broom is used at the very beginning of the steaming process, so that the medicinal plants used later have a better effect.
Bath procedures using a birch broom can effectively cleanse the skin Source profilaktika.tomsk.ru
Fir
Good fir brooms are obtained if they are cut in early spring - mid-summer. But fir brooms can be harvested at any time of the year, although they do not turn out as fragrant and fragrant. In general, they are poorly stored. They should not be dried out completely; the needles will simply fall off.
Tie the broom together with a tight fan, thicker branches inward, thin branches outward. The handle is cleared of needles. A fir broom fills the entire steam room with aroma and releases a lot of essential oils, so use gloves. You only need to steam a fir broom for a few minutes, after which it begins to lose its properties.
Time to harvest birch brooms
It should be remembered that it is advisable to collect such plant materials from June to the first half of July (inclusive). The weather on this day must be clear and dry. Additionally, you should wait for the dew to dry. According to old beliefs, the best birch broom for a bath is made from twigs cut on Trinity Day. It is for this holiday that the trees are already gaining strength, the leaves are painted a rich dark green color, and they accumulate a large amount of valuable substances.
The main requirement for plant raw materials: the foliage should not be hard. In the second half of July, the trees begin to prepare for the autumn period, and the season for harvesting birch brooms ends. If it starts to rain on the planned day, the hike must be postponed. You cannot cut wet branches, as they will most likely turn black and acquire an unpleasant odor.
To check the readiness of the raw material, you need to pick a leaf from the tree and run your finger along its outside. The leaf should feel velvety to the touch, as if it were covered with light fluff. If the surface of the leaf is rough, then it is too late to prepare brooms for the bath. You should also not prepare branches ahead of time. Leaves that are too young do not adhere well to the branches, so they will crumble when dried, and the product itself will quickly lose its usefulness.
If catkins appear on a birch tree, then the period for harvesting birch brooms for a bath has already been missed Source zhiznrastenii.ru
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.
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Rules for harvesting birch brooms
When making bath accessories with your own hands, you need to follow the following useful recommendations:
- High-quality bundles can only be obtained from young, strong branches with elastic, succulent leaves. The latter's plates must be smooth; damage and pest infestation are unacceptable. An important point is the absence of earrings.
- The branches need to be thin, they can withstand mechanical loads better.
- The collection of plant materials for the preparation of bath brooms should be carried out in ecological territories that are located at a distance from highways and industrial areas.
- To get a high-quality, functional workpiece, you only need to cut the lower branched branches.
- Cutting the material should be done only on a sunny day, in the second half of it.
Helpful information! It is possible to get rid of periodic rashes on the skin surface and improve the functioning of the sebaceous glands if you regularly use a bunch of oak branches. It makes the skin clean, fresh and silky. When to prepare oak brooms for a bath: late August - early September.
Harvesting birch brooms for baths should be carried out in environmentally friendly areas, far from industrial areas Source s1.fotokto.ru
Correct knitting
After timely collection of high-quality plant raw materials, its assembly is carried out. When preparing brooms, the following rules are usually followed:
- Knitting is made from elastic, flexible twigs with well-developed leaves. All insufficiently blossomed, damaged leaves are removed in advance.
- The branches must have more than two branches so that the finished bundle is voluminous and thick enough.
- For assembly, you need to take branches about 50 cm long and no more than 5 mm thick.
- The diameter of the handle of the finished product cannot be more than 6 cm.
- Knitting is performed immediately after harvesting the brooms. This will prevent their premature deformation and drying out.
- The recommended handle length is 15 cm. High quality products are ensured by multiple ligation of branches with twine near the foliage: a handle with a free end is much more convenient to use. It does not slip out even with intense movements.
Advice! For knitting brooms, a rope is used, with which it is easy to form a comfortable handle. This will prevent damage to the surface of your hands when using the finished product.
The finished bundle of birch branches should be thick, with a comfortable handle Source zen.yandex.ru
Drying technology
In order for the bundles for the bath to serve for a long time, it is necessary to choose the right time for harvesting birch brooms, tie them properly, and dry them properly. In practice, several simple methods of drying such products are used, each of them requires the implementation of almost the same rules.
Products made from birch branches are dried exclusively in the open air; the place chosen for drying should be dark, protected from the sun and strong drafts. Under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, leaves lose their elasticity, shape, and rich color. A ventilated attic is good for drying. It is recommended to hang the bundles with a handle from the base and place them on a horizontal plane.
In places where bath brooms are dried, drafts should not be allowed, otherwise the leaves will dry out, become brittle, and lose their beneficial properties. Source domskotom.net
Frequent turning of fragrant birch brooms guarantees their high-quality drying. At first, the products are laid out at a distance; over time, they can be placed more densely. This arrangement ensures proper air exchange.
If the bundles are dried in the attic, they are carefully hung from the logs and left in this position until completely dry. The roof ensures uniform drying of the foliage and preserves the shape of the bunches.
If you follow the technology, the bundles of birch twigs will turn out dense, fragrant, and the foliage will retain its rich dark green color.
