Sauna Brooms

[SkunkedAgain]

A co-worker of mine escaped Chernobyl in the 80s. She's become a good friend and source of Russian culture, usually to my amusement. As she quipped about not liking the cold and snow settling in this week, I asked what Russian traditions celebrated the cold. She replied that they had Russian saunas or bathhouses, and would beat each other with brooms (I suppose with a bottle of vodka in the other hand!). I looked up the Russian bath house tradition and it seems pretty close to the Finnish. I did some reading on these bath brooms, which are pretty much twigs with leaves that are roped together:   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banny_venik

 

They sound pretty neat but it's a little too late for me to make some for this winter. Do any of you know of someone up there that makes and sells these things? I'm intrigued.

 

My friend is going to get me a Russian suana hat....so at least I'll look appropriately silly wacking myself and anyone else in the sauna...

[Cliff Wagenbach]

Skunked,

When I was younger my older Finnish friends made their Sauna Brooms from green cedar boughs tied together with string at the base.

Actually quite soft when they got hot in the sauna and worked very well! Also smelled great in the sauna!

Cliff

[OhioVike]

I cant think of a better aromatic in our forests than cedar.  For what you inquired:

 

Here is a link on Ebay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brooms-for-Bath-sauna-of-birch-oak-linden-SET-7-brooms-bath-accessory/172008080372?_trksid=p2141725.c100338.m3726&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20150313114020%26meid%3D4114f161e5e24521a2db04f01351426d%26pid%3D100338%26rk%3D5%26rkt%3D30%26sd%3D121889171431

Another for Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Eucalyptus-besom-Venik-Russian-Natural/dp/B01GMR6ITG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1481893047&sr=8-3&keywords=Sauna+brooms

 

Just for the record. When ever I am looking for something I start with Amazon and then go to Ebay.  I am puzzled by this concept and would't spend the money. Not judging, just sayin'.

Edited December 16, 2016 by OhioVike

[SkunkedAgain]

Thanks guys. I will probably make my own next summer. I saw the ones on Amazon, which spurred me to think that I could buy them locally if someone knew of a source.