Steam against infection
According to research by Chinese scientists from Tsinghua University and Beihang University, the effect of the coronavirus will weaken as the temperature rises. Experts analyzed more than 4,500 cases of COVID-19 infection in several cities in China and concluded that rising temperatures and humidity levels reduce the infectivity of the virus.
The Ministry of Health answered questions about the bath as follows - it is not contraindicated, since it can increase weakened immunity. At the same time, the Minister of Health advised to stop drinking alcohol in the steam room and from subsequent cold douches. Public baths, which were closed at the time of quarantine, were also banned.
How to improve your health in a steam room
The microclimate in the Russian bath has a healing effect on the body. To enhance the therapeutic effect of visiting the steam room, there are auxiliary methods. These include massage with a broom, rubbing, aromatherapy and warming teas.
Brooms
Broom massage solves several problems at the same time, including enhancing blood circulation, activating sweating and accelerating metabolism. Each broom provides features:
- birch helps to remove phlegm from the bronchi;
- linden has a calming effect on the nervous system;
- coniferous (from juniper, fir or spruce) disinfects the air;
- eucalyptus eliminates coughing attacks and smoothes the symptoms of a cold.
Brooms are used in different ways. In addition to massage with dried branches, you can regularly inhale. For this, a steamed broom is placed near the face.
Trituration
To enhance the effect of sweating, therapeutic rubbing is used, with the use of special "sweating" means. You can prepare such a remedy at home. It consists of honey and salt (in a 1: 1 ratio). Fine table or crushed sea salt is used as salt. The mixture is applied in a steam room on preheated skin and rubbed in with light massaging movements.
Aromatherapy
A visit to the steam room replaces a full-fledged inhalation, since a person is constantly breathing in hot steam. Under the influence of steam, the respiratory tract is moistened and phlegm is excreted. Essential oils with pine, fir, lavender, juniper or geranium scent are used to help the lungs undergo cleansing.
To prepare the solution, it is enough to dilute 10-15 drops of essential oil in a liter of water (bought in pharmacies or cosmetic stores). The solution is then used to pour over the hot stones.
An alternative use of diluted oils is to spray the walls of the steam room. It is not recommended to bring oils in concentrated form into the steam room.
Beverages
Drinks are drunk between visits to the steam room in order to make up for the lack of fluid. In addition to supporting the body, medicinal teas provide a diaphoretic effect and help with cold symptoms.
To brew such tea, linden, thyme, elderberry, chamomile, mint or lemon balm are suitable. Traditional additives such as honey, lemon and raspberries are suitable to enhance the anti-cold effect.