“The Most Popular Sauna Scents”- article introduces the seven most popular sauna scents in Finland. Which of these is your favourite?
Sauna scents
There are many types of sauna scents available today. But have you ever thought about their deeper purpose? Every plant, fruit and tree has its own different active ingredients.
In this post, I will list the most common sauna scents and their unique properties. You can use natural or home-grown products, essential oils, or ready-made sauna scents.
In “the old days”, the best sauna scent was thought to be the scent of a clean sauna. And of course, the smoke saunas smelled of smoke. Without the smoke scent, the sauna was said to be soulless.
I think a wood-heated sauna always has a wonderful scent and it is impossible to put in a bottle.
There are many types of steam or sauna scents. Some peoople swear by authentic, real plants and scents. However, it is not always possible to source fresh plants. Therefore, steam scents have established their place amongst the sauna products.
The best thing about sauna scents is that you can choose the scent according to your mood and needs. The scent does make a big difference!
I don’t think there is a right or wrong way to use sauna scents, the main thing is that you have fun with them!
Birch
According to Finns, birch is definitely “the one and only” sauna scent. If you live in Finland, it is easy to get birch branches from your own forest. The scent is fresh and wonderful, and birch also has some great properties.
Birch is rich in active ingredients. For example, birch contains essential oils that prevent inflammation and relieve joint and muscle pain. Birch leaves also contain saponins that help cleanse the skin.
Tar
There is an old proverb in Finland: if neither liquor, sauna nor tar helps, the disease is fatal. And this is partly true, genuine tar is antibacterial and prevents fungal growth.
Tar is produced from resinous pine in an oxygen-free and sufficiently hot environment.
Tar has been an important substance in Finnish folk healing and has been used to treat the skin in particular. In the old days, injuries, wounds, and amputated limbs were treated with tar because it prevented inflammation and necrosis.
Tar has always been used in cosmetics and sauna products, for example in creams, soaps, shampoos, and bath products.
Pitch oil refined from tar is even better than regular tar. An old saying also: Pitch oil heals, even if a person is cut in half.
Many Finns swear by the name of tar and say it is the only real sauna scent. The smell of tar takes the people back to their childhood and possibly to the real smoke saunas they used to have.
Pine
The scent of pine is reminiscent of a Finnish forest. Pine has many very good properties; it helps to open, refresh, and strengthen the airways. When used externally, it is antiseptic, improves superficial blood circulation and warms the skin. It also reduces exudation and the formation of odour. In addition, it relieves nerve pain and prevents inflammation.
Pine essential oil is a great choice for a sauna scent.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is one of the top three sauna scents in Finland. It is a particularly great choice when you have the flu. Eucalyptus is antiseptic and helps with respiratory and urinary tract infections. Eucalyptus relieves coughs and prevents cough irritation.
Eucalyptus is a wonderful choice when there are coughs and respiratory symptoms.
Peppermint
Peppermint is a truly versatile plant. Peppermint improves digestion, relieves flatulence, and is also generally antiseptic. It relieves pain, reduces nasal congestion, bacteria, and itching.
Peppermint also helps in the treatment of migraines and headaches. Rubbing one drop of essential oil on my hands and then massaging it on my shoulders and neck really helps with my neck and shoulder ailments. Please do not apply above the eyes!
I recommend using peppermint especially when you have small flu.
Juniper
A Finnish proverb says that Finns are a “juniper people”. Do you know what it means? It means that we Finns are tough like juniper. The branches are difficult to cut because they are hardy, just like the Finns.
Juniper is cleansing and healing. Juniper is said to help with mental illness, diabetes, inflammation, rheumatism, allergies and other hereditary diseases.
You can use juniper fresh in steam water, you can also make juniper whiskey from juniper.
You can use any of these ingredients fresh or dried. However, it is not always possible to get them fresh (or dried ) and that is why we have sauna scents! They have been developed so the wonderful scents and active ingredients can be obtained directly from the bottle.
Here’s how to use ready-made sauna scents correctly:
- Check the instructions on the side of the bottle and follow them.
- Prepare the steam water outside the sauna.
- Store sauna scents in the bathroom or dressing room
Read more: The best sauna scents
The most popular steam scents in Finland:
- Birch
- Tar
- Pine
- Juniper
- Eucalyptus
- Peppermint
What sauna scents do you use?
I hope you found the “The Most Popular Sauna Scents” article helpful! Maybe it even gave you some inspiration for the next time you are choosing your sauna scent. Remember to listen to your own intuition: What do you need today? Each sauna session is unique. You can use sauna scents to create the right atmosphere but also to help with any ailments you might have!
Love, Sauna-Kati
