Japanese bath: ofuro

Public Japanese bath - santo - has a centuries-old history and is part of Japanese culture. But in the wellness centers under the Japanese bath usually do not mean sento, but ofuro. This, in fact, is not a Japanese bath, but rather a Japanese bath, which is only a part of santo.

About ofuro and will be discussed in this article. So, ofuro represents wooden barrel or rectangular box. They are made of different kinds of wood: larch, oak, cedar. Since in Ofuro it is necessary to take a semi-lying position, there is a special fit inside that makes it easier to do.

In Ofuro pours hot water (temperature of the order of 45-50 ° C), it can also add flavored salt from hot springs. Instead of water in ofuro can also be used hot sawdust with essential oils.

There are several theories explaining the origin of the Japanese bath. According to the first theory, religion did not allow the Japanese to use soap, because to produce it you needed the fat of dead animals. Therefore, for washing they used clean and very hot water. And the second theory is the cause of everything raw Japanese climate: in winter you need to warm up somehow, for this purpose a Japanese bath was created.

The Japanese bath is a whole ritual. First of all you need to take a warm shower and wash yourself - to get dirty off of it. After the shower, you can actually go to the bath,where you change a few baths. The water temperature in the first bath is about 35 ° C, which makes it possible to get used to hot water. And already in the second bath the water is hotter - those same 45-50 ° C. They spend about 10 minutes there.

By the way, in ofuro sink not completely - The head and heart area should be above the water. It is thanks to this that the Japanese bath is safer than the same Russian or Finnish: unlike usual bathhouses, the head and heart are not exposed to high temperatures in it.

As we have already said, a Japanese bath can include other baths, not only with water. After taking a hot bath you may be offered to dry yourself and try a bath with dry heated sawdust. Usually for ofuro use lime or cedar sawdust, mixing them with medicinal herbs and essential oils. And you can finish it bathroom with warm sea shingle, which has a massage effect.

After ofuro should not immediately run on their own business. After the last bath you will be asked to put on a comfortable robe and proceed to the recreation room. There you can drink green or herbal tea and relax, listening to pleasant music.

The Japanese bath is not just a pleasant procedure, it is also very useful for health. Ofuro recommended for diseasescardiovascular system, upper respiratory tract and kidneys, rheumatism and colds. It allows you to normalize metabolic processes in the body, remove toxins and toxins. Due to the fact that pores open up under the influence of hot water, the skin is cleansed and becomes smoother and more elastic. Ofuro helps to relieve nervous tension, get rid of fatigue, restore strength, strengthen immunity.

And in the Land of the Rising Sun believe that Japanese bath allows you to clean not only the body, but the soul: the Japanese believe that spiritual health andphysical closely related. Therefore, the exquisite ritual of the Japanese bath will help you to pause in a frenzied everyday race for success and get rid of the constantly pressuring stress on you. A tranquil atmosphere disposes to rest and helps to relax and forget about problems.

But, of course, Before visiting a Japanese bath you should consult a doctor. Still, the effect of high temperatures on allaffects differently. Even considering that the head and heart will be above the water, once again you should not take risks. Contraindications for visiting the Japanese bath include epilepsy, tuberculosis, pregnancy, exacerbation of chronic diseases.