Steam Bath
WHAT IS STEAM BATH?
A Steam Bath is an ancient type of bath, first made popular by the ancient Greeks and Romans. The origins of the Steam Bath come from the Roman Bath, which began during the height of the Roman Empire. A steam shower is a type of bathing where a humidifying (to make something, especially the air, more moist or damp) steam generator produces water vapor that is dispersed (to cause something to scatter in different directions, or scatter in this way) around a person’s body.
STEAM ROOM BENEFITS
Steam benefits as associated with a steam room or steam shower have been realised for thousands of years,where wet heat opens the pores of your skin to aid body detoxification. A steam generator is used to createwater vapour at high levels of humidity. The heat and humidity may bring health benefits ranging from aiding stress relief, to body cleansing, to soothing aching muscles or arthritis.
Different research and user studies show that the benefits of steam rooms may aid your body health by:
- Rejuvenating, deep cleansing – hydrating the skin
- Boosting your immune system and promoting antibody production
- Relieving the discomfort of asthma, allergies and arthritis
- Enhancing the respiratory system
- Helping eliminate toxins
- Reducing stress and the appearance of wrinkles
- Relaxing and soothing mind & body
- Relieving stress & relaxing muscles
- Relieving throat irritation by moistening the air
- Relaxing muscles and relieving coughing
- Increasing body metabolism
- Relieving inflammation and congestion of upper respiratory mucous membranes
- Keeping mucous membranes from excessive drying
- Helping in the treatment of cancer
- Helping fight against HIV
- Aiding against cellulite
- Loosening secretions and stimulating the discharge of mucous from the throat and lungs
- Blood circulation improvement
1. ELIMINATE TOXINS
The average body has approximately 2.6 million sweat glands. The body only has four ways to excrete toxins; urine, feces, respiration and perspiration. During a steam room session the body can sweat out up to 30% of its toxins that have built up. Studies have shown that environmental chemicals and poor diet cause 95% of cancers, which in today’s society makes a steam room a very healthy and practical addition to the home.
2. REJUVENATE AND HYDRATE THE SKIN
Heat from the steam causes the heart to beat faster and harder in an attempt to cool the body, causing blood to flood even the smallest capillaries. Increased blood flow to these tiny capillaries (just under the skins surface) causes the skin to glow and look healthy because the blood cells carry minerals, vitamins and oxygen: vital for a healthy body. In addition, this increases the rate of body metabolism.
3. BOOST THE IMMUNE SYSTEM: HYPERTHERMIA
Hyperthermia refers to an elevation of core body temperature to above 37.2°C for therapeutic purposes. During a steam room session the body temperature rises and when the body temperature rises it is called a fever (elevation of body temperature above the normal level). A virus can only usually survive within a narrow temperature range. Therefore an increase in body temperature may either stunt the virus’ multiplication or kill the virus. Fever triggers the body to release white blood cells, antibodies and a protein called interferon. The white blood cells, which are produced in the bone marrow, help to defend the body against infectious diseases and foreign materials. Antibodies are proteins which help protect against disease-causing micro-organisms whilst interferon is any group of proteins produced by cells in the body in response to an attack by a virus.
4. ENHANCE THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
Steam inhalation supports mucosal secretions in the respiratory system and helps to open up the airways therefore reducing respiration resistance. This helps to relieve the discomfort of asthma and allergies. Steam room benefits also include relieving inflammation and congestion of upper respiratory mucous membranes. It also helps to loosen secretions, stimulate the discharge of mucous from the throat and lungs (natural expectorant) and keeps mucous membranes from excessive drying.
5. RELIEVE STRESS AND RELAX MUSCLES
Heat from the steam causes the muscles to relax, widening the blood vessels, allowing more oxygen to flow to them, releasing their tension. The heat also gives relief to sufferers of arthritis. The heat from the steam causes the whole body to relax; this experience melts away stress and soothes the mind & body.
6. SKIN BENEFITS
Nothing is better for your skin than a heavy sweat. Dermatologists recognize the value of steam in creating a beautiful, healthy glow. Heavy sweating cleanses your skin more thoroughly than soap and water. How?
Because it opens your pores and allows deep-seated grime (yuck) and dead cells to be flushed out. This is one reason steam baths can be helpful for acne treatment and some other skin conditions. Also, the heat causes an increase in blood circulation, bringing more oxygen and nutrients to your skin surface. Over time, this can help contribute to a healthy, glowing appearance.
7. PAIN RELIEF
Heat has been known to be effective against joint and muscular pain. It causes your blood vessels to expand, which increases blood circulation. As a result, more oxygen and nutrients can reach damaged parts of your body. This has the double effect of temporarily reducing or stopping pain and increasing your body’s healing rate. Spend 10 or 15 minutes in a steam room after you exercise for example, and you’ll help speed up healing of damaged muscle tissue.
8. GOODBYE STRESS!
Many people lives are filled with stress, and we all know what stress can lead to…
• high blood pressure,
• cardiovascular disease,
• Migraine headaches,
• Muscle tension,
9. IMMUNITY
A regular steam bath can improve your immune system. During a steam bath, the body temperature becomes very high, which in turn destroys most of the viruses and bacteria that are present in the body. Such an action stimulates the body’s immune system and helps it to activate its own forces.
10. FIGHT CANCER
The high temperature of steam baths is very effective in destroying malignant cells. Such baths also speed up the generation of antibodies as interferon (an anti-viral protein) is produced that has effective properties to fight cancer.
11. RELAXATION
A steam bath offers relief from stress as the steam that enters the body helps the tired muscles to relax. Having a warm shower after a steam bath helps to enjoy a good sleep at night.
12. CIRCULATION
Steam not only improves blood circulation but also offers several cardiovascular benefits by increasing the pulse rate without causing an escalation of the blood pressure. This happens as the heat causes the blood vessels to expand and have room for an increased blood flow. Consequently, a larger amount of nutrients are carried to the skin, thereby giving it a healthy and youthful radiance.
Steam baths have been proven to be effective for conditions such as…
- Asthma
- Bronchitis
- Sinusitis
- Allergies
Who should not take a steam bath?
People having heart diseases or fever, small children, pregnant women and old people should not have steam bath.
How to take a steam bath?
Don’t take a steam bath for over fifteen minutes at a time. Drink enough water before such a bath as such baths have a dehydrating effect.