How to visit the hammam correctly: general tips and recommendations. Turkish bath - benefits and contraindications

It has long been known that hot steam has a beneficial effect on the human body. Therefore, different countries use a special method of vaping.

In Russia it is a bathhouse, in Japan it is an ofuro, in Finland it is a sauna, and in Turkey it is a hammam. Moreover, the latter is in great demand all over the world, including the CIS countries.

The Turkish bath has gained popularity thanks to its pleasant procedures and gentle steam temperature, which allows those people who were previously contraindicated from using a sauna to visit it. However, many are still not familiar with this type of procedure, so they ask the question: what is hammam and how is it useful?

Features of the hamam

The Turkish sauna is a special type of steam room. Its main difference from a Russian bath or Finnish sauna is a lower temperature with 100% humidity.

All this makes the procedure gentle. After all, the temperature in the hammam does not exceed 65 degrees and is well tolerated by people for whom a regular steam room is not suitable.

Maximum humidity allows a person to not experience difficulty breathing during a visit to the steam room, even at high temperatures. And thanks to the special design of the oriental bath, the body warms up gradually.

Special marble beds also add comfort to the procedure. The stone benches heat up evenly and then maintain the same temperature level.

A true Turkish saguin has several rooms. In each room the steam temperature changes:

Tepidarium – located in a humid room with a temperature range of up to 36 degrees. This is where the body acclimatizes.
Calidarium - in the second hall the temperature reaches 45 °C. The action of steam promotes intense sweat production, which cleanses the skin.
Frigidarium – in the last room the temperature is 30 degrees. In this room there is a pool with water heated to 28 °C. After dipping into the cool liquid, the steamed pores close and have a tonic effect on the body.

Often, after cleansing the skin, a person is given a relaxing foam and oil massage. The visitor can then go to the first room to relax. Here he is offered aromatic and healthy herbal tea.

The healing properties of hamam

First of all, the Turkish sauna is beneficial for the skin. The steam gently cleanses pores and removes impurities and toxins.

The procedure allows you to normalize the functioning of the sebaceous glands, improve blood circulation and moisturize the dry epidermis. If you regularly visit the hammam, your face will acquire a beautiful peach tint and a slight lifting effect will be achieved.

All these advantages make the Turkish sauna a favorite place for every woman. In addition to improving the condition of the skin, the fair sex visits the bathhouse to get rid of nervous tension and improve sleep.

Hamam is also useful for women because it improves hair growth and strengthens hair follicles. And if desired, your stay in the steam room can be completed with a set of therapeutic and relaxing procedures:

massages;
wraps;
masks;
scrubs.

It is noteworthy that the Turkish sauna can rejuvenate all organs. A similar effect is achieved by stimulating metabolic, oxidative processes and cleansing the body of toxins.

What are the benefits of a Turkish bath (hamam) for men? Representatives of the stronger sex more often than women suffer from diseases of the genitourinary system.

The special conditions and moist heat of the eastern steam room cause intense sweating. This process helps cleanse the kidneys and relieve painful symptoms.

It is useful to visit hammam for diseases of the respiratory organs. The eastern steam room will help strengthen the immune system, cleanse the bronchi, lungs and reduce the likelihood of developing rhinitis and ARVI.

The eastern steam room stimulates blood circulation and removes stagnant processes. Steam dilates blood vessels and promotes blood outflow.

Reviews from many visitors to the hammam are unanimous that the Turkish sauna lifts the mood and calms the nerves. After visiting the steam room, a number of positive effects are noted:

headache goes away;
thoughts are cleared;
anxiety is eliminated;
a feeling of peace appears;
insomnia goes away.

People who regularly visit the hammam improve the condition of their muscular and joint systems. The steam room helps reduce pain symptoms from rheumatism, osteochondrosis and muscle strain.

People often go to the hammam after visiting the gym. The steam room helps eliminate muscle spasms, relax ligaments and joints.

But, coming to the Turkish bath immediately after training, when the pulse and blood pressure have not returned to normal, can cause harm to the body. It is correct to visit the steam room 30 minutes after the end of classes.

Rules for visiting the Turkish bath

There are a number of recommendations that should be followed in order not to harm your health when visiting the hammam. The first piece of advice is that 2 hours before the procedure you should not eat heavy food or drink strong or caffeinated drinks.

In a Turkish sauna, it is customary to steam while lying down. Therefore, before you sit down on a marble bench, you need to cover it with a towel and make sure that your feet are higher than your head.

In case of overheating, you should drink herbal tea or a glass of clean water. Also, visitors to the hammam should know that they cannot walk in a Turkish sauna without clothes.

How often can you visit a Turkish bath? Some go there every three days, while for others once a month is enough.

The opinion of doctors on how many times you can sit in the hammam is unanimous. Experts say that everything depends on the person’s health status and strict adherence to visiting rules.

Experts say that it will be enough for an ordinary person to go to a Turkish sauna once a week. This will keep your skin clear and muscles flexible.

Sauna or hammam, which is healthier? In a Finnish steam room the temperature is 90-120 degrees, and in a Turkish steam room it is 35-65 C. Regarding humidity, in the first it reaches 15%, and in the second it is about 100%.

Experts say that sauna and hammam have different effects on the body. Therefore, it is possible to determine which type of steam room will be better only based on the individual characteristics of the person.

The Finnish sauna is suitable for people with a strong cardiovascular system and respiratory organs, as it is difficult to breathe in it.

The sauna will be useful for those who do not tolerate humidity well, want to remove toxins from the body and cleanse the pores well. It quickly restores performance, relieves stress, strengthens the immune system and nervous system.

The hammam, in comparison with the Finnish sauna, does not dry out, but moisturizes the epidermis, which is suitable for those with dry sensitive skin and allergy sufferers.

A Turkish bath opens pores better, which is more effective from a cosmetological point of view. Hamam also has a more gentle effect on the heart and blood vessels.

Contraindications

The benefits of Turkish hammam, which are invaluable, can be harmful to health in the presence of a number of diseases and conditions. Thus, it is forbidden to visit the oriental sauna if you are intoxicated. If you go to the bathhouse after drinking alcohol, the body experiences a double load, which will lead to adverse consequences.

Doctors prohibit visiting a Turkish bath if you have cancer. Such patients have increased blood circulation, and the sauna doubles this effect, which leads to the spread of microtoxins and tumor particles.

Visiting the hammam can be harmful for people with mental disorders. In case of psychosis, neurosis and other problems of the nervous system, aggression may increase during the procedure due to a change in the microclimate.

Other contraindications to visiting a Turkish bath:

acute inflammatory diseases of the respiratory system (asthma, tuberculosis);
disturbances in the functioning of blood vessels and the heart;
pregnancy;
any diseases accompanied by inflammatory processes;
varicose veins;
malfunctions of the thyroid gland;
fungal infections;
dermatoses;
epilepsy;
hypertension.

The bathhouse has long been a special place. In it, people rested body and soul, since water has always had a beneficial effect on the human body and the state of his soul. There are several dozen types of baths in the world and each is good in its own way. The Turkish bath or hammam is considered one of the most beneficial for health. What is good about a Turkish bath, how to steam in it correctly and at what temperature? Is it possible to visit the hammam often? We will talk about this in the article.

Turkish baths

As is known from historical sources, Turkish baths were first appeared before our era. Already at that time, the hammam was a popular place for Muslims to relax. In the 19th century, they began to be called Turkish baths, since thanks to Turkey they gained popularity not only in Asian countries, but also in Europe. Having such fame and popularity, baths began to be built in all cities in every quarter. The hammam has always had its own traditions, rituals and health treatments.

In Turkey, regardless of age and gender, everyone visits the hammam. In such a room people relax, wash and communicate. Huge amounts of money have always been allocated for the construction of Turkish baths to make the premises beautiful and expensive. Stone and marble were used for construction. Loungers were also made from these materials. Traditionally the hammam consists of three rooms:

jamecan (cold);
sogukluk (warm);
hararet (hot).

The classic hammam is built like a palm with five fingers. There are a total of five interconnected niches in the room. They have different air temperatures, which has a beneficial effect on the human body. In the center of the Turkish bath there is a sun lounger designed to warm up the body. Usually they lie on it with their stomach down, and the ambient air temperature is in the range of 35-50 o C. The temperature in the niches is much higher, there it ranges from 70 to 100 o C. The air humidity in the hammam is very high and reaches 100%.

There are sun loungers in the niches for warming up and massage. The sunbeds and all decorations are made of natural stone and marble. The cleanliness of the hamams was mainly monitored by the city authorities. The room was always kept clean, thoroughly cleaned, and the air was fumigated with special incense.

The difference between a hammam and a Russian bath

Everyone who has visited the Turkish bath recommends that others definitely visit it. Unlike the Russian bathhouse, the hammam gives a gentle feeling of relaxation. There is no dry steam in it, air humidity almost always reaches 100%. A special microclimate at a temperature of 35-50 o C allows you to enjoy all the procedures of a Turkish bath.

Indoors also there are several fountains or pools with warm, warmer and cold water. There is no wood trim in the room, only marble and stone. The floors of the hammam are decorated with ceramic tiles in the form of a beautiful mosaic. The roof of the bathhouse is built in the shape of a dome and this prevents drops of condensation from dripping onto people. Thanks to this design, condensation does not remain on the walls.

In a separate room of the hammam there is a boiler with hot water and another one in the middle of the hall. A constant temperature is maintained in the boiler, and the resulting steam enters the hall to people through special openings.

For pleasant relaxation, quiet music is played in the hall. People enjoy being here; they not only take a steam bath, cleanse their body, but also relax, communicate, and drink tea.

How to steam properly in a Turkish bath?

It is customary to visit the hammam separately; men and women do not bathe together. In the Turkish bath it is customary to spend almost the whole day while doing:

health improvement;
beauty of the body;
communication;
rest.

Before visiting the hammam, you should know certain rules and sequence. The person immediately enters the jamekan (dressing room), where he undresses, but not completely, and then goes to another room, where the body can prepare for the transition to the steam room. Here people take shower procedures, after which they wrap themselves in a sheet and take a towel with them to lie on.

The body needs to be warmed up gradually, because the temperature in each room is different and the body needs to prepare for this. Niches located in the room make it possible to choose the desired temperature. Usually they start with the coolest one, gradually moving to the hottest one. After this, you can lie down on the stone lounger in the center of the hall. You should lie on it with your stomach down to better warm up your whole body.

A mandatory procedure is body massage, as it has a healing effect. It is performed after other procedures. The body becomes completely different - the ligaments are more elastic and the muscles are flexible. After the massage, the body is ready for cleansing.

Body washing consists of several stages. First, use a washcloth dipped in soapy water to scrub off the dead cells, after which you need to wash everything off the body. Then use a washcloth and more abundant foam to wash the body again. When the body is completely cleansed, it is necessary to proceed to swimming in the pools in a certain order, focusing on the water temperature:

the warmest;
warm;
cold.

In order for hammam to bring health benefits, you need to learn how to perform all procedures correctly and know the sequence. It should be remembered that the Turkish bath is designed to cleanse the body first and foremost. The procedures allow you to wash away deep impurities. Visiting such a place has a positive effect on human health:

Total time spent in the Turkish bath should not exceed 1.5 -2 hours. This is quite enough to leave the bathhouse and feel like a different person. For beginners, 1 visit per week is enough. How many times a week to visit the hammam will depend on your health condition.

For whom is it harmful to visit?

To get the maximum benefit from visiting a Turkish bath, you must follow all the rules. If you have questions, you can ask them to the administrator or other employees of the hammam. If there are contraindications, you should not visit the hammam, this is associated with certain diseases:

There is a very important rule - do not drink alcohol or cold drinks. If we compare this type of bath with others, then the hammam has the fewest restrictions and prohibitions. In addition, by visiting the hammam you have the opportunity to get acquainted with the captivating culture of the East.

Not very strong humid heat, a great opportunity to wash, heal, relax... You have been told a lot about the benefits of hammam, and you are already packing your bath suitcase. Stop, stop, stop. Let's look at the advantages of a Turkish bath and who will benefit from such a vacation. But first, let’s clarify who should not go to the hammam, so as not to harm their health.

Persons with a number of skin diseases that can worsen in a damp room (fungal infections, eczema, a number of other diseases); Before going to the hammam, consult your doctor to see if it is specifically indicated for you.
For those who suffer from cancer, heat can stimulate tumor growth; even if you underwent all types of treatment several years ago, it is still better to abstain and not take risks.
Suffering from hypertension of the second or third degree, that is, with pressure that often rises above 160 mmHg. Although the steam in the hammam is not hot, and no one will force you to go to the hottest room, remember: heated air and humidity, combined with some physical activity taken in the hammam, can cause an increase in pressure.
Remember that the hammam is quite a serious load on the heart and even the kidneys (due to the large amount of fluid lost there). You can go to a Turkish bath, but at the first sign of discomfort you should go to a room with a lower temperature, and from there to the rest room and locker room. In addition, have a couple of pills with you for your illness - God willing, you won’t need it!
Psychiatrists say that a number of mental disorders may worsen under the influence of steam and high temperatures. They do not specify what disorders exactly. So if you are receiving treatment from a soul healer, even for ordinary stress, call your doctor and ask for his permission to visit the hammam. Most likely, you will be given the go-ahead, and you will go wash, knowing that it will not harm you.
Hamam supporters claim that visiting this bathhouse helps asthmatics. Let us doubt the universality of this statement: some types of asthma absolutely require the most dry air possible, and an exacerbation of the disease may occur in the hammam.

You can try, but take a can of antispasmodic with you.
We could not find any other contraindications to visiting the hammam. But if you take the procedures correctly, there can be a lot of benefits.

Let's figure out why hammam is useful?

Helps stabilize weight (a person loses up to one and a half kilograms in one visit to the bathhouse).
Cleanses and heals the skin, cleanses the sebaceous glands (which is very good for teenagers - there will be no acne), stabilizes blood pressure.
Hamam has great benefits for the musculoskeletal system. Salt deposits, rheumatism, muscle strains, arthritis and many other diseases will leave you alone for a long time after two or three visits to the hammam.
Hammam helps cure colds, including bronchitis. Prolonged heating increases the body's immunity, allowing it to more successfully resist infections.
In the humid hot air of the hammam, germs and bacteria die, so the likelihood of infecting another visitor is almost zero. And if you also order a massage, indicating that it should help cope with a cold, then you will return home healthy or at least significantly healthier.

Evaluate the psychological aspects of the hammam. Hasty washing in the shower is a purely hygienic procedure. Unhurried procedures in the hammam give you the opportunity to think about yourself, relax, relieve fatigue, and drive away stress. How to use the hammam correctly so that it brings maximum benefits?

First, just sit or lie down so that the pores of the body open and sweat appears. This takes approximately fifteen to twenty minutes.
We clean off all dead, keratinized particles that clog the sweat glands from the body. To do this, use either a special brush or a hard washcloth - without soap! Remember how you rolled pellets on your skin after washing in a Russian bath as a child? This is the same thing, but in an oriental way, he proposes to make a hammam.
Soaping, leisurely and thorough. In hammams they do not use any soap, but only those made from purified vegetable oils - olive or peach. This makes your skin smoother and more well-groomed. And the hair is washed and rinsed with herbs, which makes the hair healthier and shiny.
After the soap is washed off, it is worth ordering a full body massage. He is quite tough and unusual. But trust an experienced hammam attendant (or, if women wash, a bath attendant), the first sensations will be replaced by a state of lightness throughout the body, restored youth and flexibility.
But now, after all the procedures, you can go to a room with a lower air temperature, wet your body with a bath sheet, and apply a nourishing or moisturizing cream to your skin.
After which you can just sit, cool down slowly, drink green or herbal tea - with nuts, honey, Turkish delight. And only when you feel that you have cooled down, get dressed and go outside.

Actually, this is what the hammam is built on - a gradual transition from more moderate temperatures to higher ones, and then a gradual cooling. I hope no one doubts that it is useful? Everyone who can, join us, let's go to the hammam!

Invisible

I didn’t even know that the Turkish hammam has so many positive effects. My family and I go on vacation to Turkey every year (the most affordable vacation for us) and from there we fell in love with the hammam. And at other times, about once a month we visit the hammam in our city. Now visiting a Turkish bath will become much more enjoyable when you know how much benefit the organization receives :)

Vikulik-kukulik

And in truth, there are a lot of positive effects on the body from a Turkish bath. I visit spas and the Russian bathhouse quite often, and now I will try to visit the hammam as regularly as possible. Quite an interesting article, motivating - I would say so. If you can give the body even more benefits, why not use it?

Bruce Almighty

I had chronic bronchitis. I once read that a Turkish bath can help with bronchitis. I addressed this issue to the hospital - where they told me it was all nonsense and prescribed a whole list of medications...
My family and I went on vacation to Turkey and took a trip for 21 days. Upon arrival at the hotel, on the first day they started asking at the reception what services the hotel had, entertainment, etc. in the list voiced by the girl at the reception - there was a Turkish bath, or as it is also called a hammam - and then I remembered my idea to try a hammam to treat my chronic bronchitis... As a result, out of 21 days of rest, I was in the hammam 18 times. I myself felt that I felt many times better than before... upon arrival I was examined at the clinic, and most importantly, they told me that “everything is fine” - I asked, and bronchitis - in response I heard “what kind of bronchitis” - I said like which one? - chronic bronchitis - the doctor smiled and said - you’re kidding, you don’t have any bronchitis, especially chronic... I was very happy... After which I visit the hammam at least 1-2 times a month for health prevention and pleasure.

Looney

I myself have bronchitis, they recommended a Turkish bath, I just couldn’t make up my mind, or rather, my work schedule is hectic... But now thinking of finding a place for a Turkish bath at least once a week, it’s still better than sleeping a few hours longer. And if there is a result, I will make it a rule and increase the number of visits.

The Turkish hammam is not just a place where people can wash themselves and enjoy wellness treatments. First of all, this type of bathhouse is a piece of rich Eastern culture, a work of art, a unique structure with its own ritual characteristics and traditions, allowing you to plunge into the life and mysterious worldview of the East, even for a short time.

The traditional Turkish bath, hammam, dates back to the early 17th century. But if you look deeper, the ancestor is the ancient baths, the secret of construction of which was borrowed from the Romans by the Arabs, and the Turks, in turn, improved the Arab soap houses. With the adoption of Islam in eastern countries, interest in this type of bath grew so much that ancient churches of other faiths began to be rebuilt as hamams.

Even the great prophet Muhammad emphasized the importance of the bath as an integral part of the faith, which contributes to the fertility of the Muslim population. Although the hammam is considered an original Turkish heritage, this type is characteristic of almost all eastern countries.

Word "hamam" is derived from Arabic "boorish", which means heat or "spreading steam". And this name fully reflected the work process of this institution. The water in a huge cauldron was brought to a boil and steam, through small holes, heated the walls, floor, and benches made of marble.

Over time, Turkish baths turned into real places of worship, where customs and their own rules of behavior were strictly observed. Everyone was allowed to visit, without differences in age or wealth, even women could afford this luxury. One day a week was specially allocated for them, and the entire premises were entirely at the disposal of the female sex. In addition to bathing, Muslim women exchanged news, gossiped, discussed outfits and, of course, men. By the way, if the husband was prohibited from visiting the bathhouse, the eastern wife could file for divorce.

This type of oriental bathhouse has been preserved in its original form only in Istanbul and Bukhara, and is one of the most notable attractions of these cities. Almost all large European cities can boast of modern hammam buildings, trying to fully or partially get closer to the Turkish original.

The main room can only be accessed through the dressing room, which is associated with the hand. Here, at a temperature no higher than 35 degrees, the body gradually warms up, preparing for ritual procedures.

Clothes are left in the locker room , since appearing naked is contrary to national traditions, they put on a special towel called a sarong and relax their body on a heated marble table, decorated in the best traditions of the East. Since the pipes that heat the room run under the floor, to avoid burning your feet, wear shoes with wooden soles.

Happening in the next room "ablution» bodies. Pouring warm water from a copper bowl, using special olive soap and mittens with a rough surface, a professional bath attendant performs a peeling massage, the purpose of which is to free the skin from dirt, dust, and dead cells. After rinsing with clean water, the person is ready to get into "holy of holies"- steam room.

The central hall is a spacious room, in the middle of which there are benches and loungers. "Chebek-tashi" , translated from Turkish, literally means "belly bed", that is, you should lie on them with your back up. All the luxurious decoration of the hall and seating areas are made of marble, and this stone, judging by Turkish legends, when heated, expels all ailments from the body, all negativity from the soul, and all black thoughts from the head.

Temperature, pools and waterfalls

The air temperature here ranges from 50 to 60 degrees Celsius. Some hammams have small pools or waterfalls. They are not intended for swimming, but to maintain the necessary humidity in the room. This is an essential feature and difference between a hammam and a sauna or bathhouse. The body warms up due to moist steam, and not as a result of high temperatures. Hot air flows through special holes, sometimes with the addition of flavors, which harmoniously complements the process of relaxation and tranquility.

"gebek-tashi"

Foam massage is performed on a flat stone called "gebek-tashi". The body of the steaming person is wrapped in thick foam and each area of the skin is thoroughly massaged with a hard washcloth. After this procedure, blood circulation and lymphatic drainage improve, the skin becomes silky and elastic, and the mental mood rises to the level of bliss. The stay in the steam room ends with rinsing under warm water.

From the central hall you can alternately move through rooms with different temperature ranges. At the same time, the body, receiving certain loads, gets rid of toxins, toxic substances, and gains freshness and vigor.

If desired, you will receive an oil massage, peeling, and all kinds of wraps with sea salt, honey, and healing clay. An old Turkish proverb says that if a person goes through all the rooms of the hammam, his illnesses will leave him forever.

At the end of the bath procedures, you can visit the steam room again, or you can finish the ritual by rinsing in a pool with cool water, after which you can drink tea in the relaxation room, chat with friends, or even smoke a real Turkish hookah.

Massage in the hammam bath

I would like to say something special about massage. A person who is not experienced in the eastern wisdom of this action may at first think that he has fallen into the hands of cruel chiropractors or executioners. Bones crunch, joints break and twist, it seems, a little more, and you will run away wherever your eyes look. But the masters know their business, and the consequences of a miracle massage will not keep you waiting long. After such procedures, a feeling of lightness sets in, the body becomes flexible, elastic, filled with youth and health.

Modern Muslims, however, like their distant ancestors, can spend the whole day in such a bathhouse, which, given comfortable temperature and humidity conditions, does not affect their health at all. Meetings take place here, holidays are celebrated; fortunately, the comfortable and pleasant atmosphere promotes leisurely and cordial communication.

The benefits and harms of visiting a Turkish bath (hamam)

A visit to the hammam, like other similar establishments, can bring great benefits to the human body, but if there are contraindications, the consequences can be negative. What are the benefits of a Turkish bath (hamam)?

Hammam is no special exception, and like any other bathhouse, it has great advantages. Soft, gentle temperature conditions and moist steam help a person to completely relax, put the nervous system in order and truly relax. A beneficial atmosphere has a positive effect on all body systems:

Improves heart function, strengthens the walls of blood vessels
Increases immunity, helps with colds, treats respiratory diseases
Cleanses the body of toxins, removes toxins and other harmful substances
Relieves joint and muscle pain, helps with disorders of the musculoskeletal system
Speeds up metabolism, which promotes rejuvenation and weight loss
Effectively affects the skin, cleanses, moisturizes, promotes regeneration, makes it firm and elastic

With regular visits to the Turkish bath, you can forever forget about depression, insomnia, and get rid of stressful conditions, without the participation of doctors and psychologists.

Thanks to its gentle and gentle action, the Turkish hammam has fewer contraindications than other baths; however, if you have health problems, it would not be superfluous to consult your doctor. You need to be extremely careful if you have:

some skin diseases (eczema, fungus) - humidity can cause aggravation;
oncology – hot air stimulates the growth of cancer cells;
hypertension – heat stress can cause increased blood pressure;
inflammatory processes;

In any circumstances, moderation comes first. Even if you are completely confident in your good health, if you have minor signs of illness, you need to leave the steam room, sit in a cool place, drink water with lemon, or call the bathhouse workers for help.

It is better to visit the hammam on a day off, you will have more time for relaxation, all kinds of massages, you will be able to have a good rest and improve your health. Easterners believe that morning is the most convenient time of day for these procedures, since the body is still relaxed and amenable to all kinds of influences.

You should not go to the Turkish bath on an empty stomach. , at the same time, it is also not recommended to abuse food. You can eat a light vegetable salad, drink freshly squeezed fruit juice or a glass of tea with lemon.
You can't spend too much time in the steam room , you should alternate visiting it with cooler rooms. Before lying down on a hot stone, be sure to lay down a towel and make sure that all parts of your body are approximately at the same level.
Do not make sudden movements while in pairs Yes, this can have a bad effect on warmed up muscles.
Periodically replenish the water balance in the body , drink more liquid, preferably natural water, herbal teas.
After warming up in the main steam room, The decrease in body temperature should occur gradually . Take a plunge first into warm water, then into cool water, and you can finish the procedure with an ice pool.

How often you can visit the hammam depends on your well-being, personal perception of the eastern way of healing, and, of course, you need to have free time, since a trip to the Turkish bath will not cost you an hour or two.

Fans of a healthy lifestyle and good rest all over the world have always appreciated the benefits of the Turkish method of cleansing the soul and body. Unfortunately, not all modern buildings under the eastern name correspond to the original. Therefore, in order to experience the true national ritual, admire the beautiful interior and feel divine bliss, you need to visit the homeland of hamam - Turkey. Only there will a new view of the world open to you, you will learn to have a philosophical attitude towards difficulties and learn to enjoy life.

The benefits and harms of hamam have been tested by many Russians. Hamam, along with other attractions in Turkey, has become a favorite place to spend time among Russian tourists.

The history of the Turkish bath Hamam

The Turkish bath appeared in the 17th century by adopting the customs of Arab baths and the luxury of Roman bathing traditions. Combining and improving the best features of the bathing procedures of these peoples, Turkish masters created the hammam (the word “ham” means “heat”). The principle of organizing a hammam is considered classic, because it has not changed at all since those times.

What is the difference between a hammam and a sauna and a Russian bath?

The Turkish hammam is qualitatively different from the usual Russian bathhouse and Finnish sauna. For clarity, you can consider the features of the hammam in comparison with them.

As you can see, there are many differences between the Turkish hammam and the Finnish and Russian baths. Thanks to the low temperature conditions, people who cannot withstand high temperatures go there. The difference in the finishing of the Turkish sauna can be seen in the photo below.

The benefits of hamam

The beneficial properties of hamam procedures have made it one of the most popular. Regular visits to the Turkish sauna will help achieve the following effects:

remove salt deposits;
normalize blood pressure;
increase immunity;
relieve muscle tension;
cure some respiratory diseases.

The benefits of Turkish hammam for the body are based on the removal of toxins, relaxation of the body and soul.

For women's health

Most women spend a lot of time on their own appearance. The procedures offered by the hammam staff have a number of advantages: they will help preserve beauty, get rid of cellulite, improve skin condition, and strengthen hair. Healthy sleep and stress relief will be an addition after visiting the hammam.

For men's health

The beneficial properties of hammam have been proven for the male body. Since it is the stronger sex that is most susceptible to various diseases associated with the functioning of the genitourinary system, it is useful for men to visit the hammam. With increased sweating, the kidneys are unloaded for a certain time, which relieves pain. Men visiting a Turkish sauna relieve nervous tension that occurs during stress and normalize the general condition of the body.

For athletes

After a workout, the hammam allows you to relax your joints and muscles, and relieve stress that occurs during strength training. The benefits of visiting the hammam after the gym are manifested in the relief of painful sensations, which allows you to reduce breaks between workouts. However, you should not do this, because the process of muscle and tendon restoration proceeds as usual, and the felt relaxation in the hammam does not speed it up.

To relax your back muscles after training, it is recommended to steam while sitting. Lying down can cause irreparable harm to your body: one awkward movement can lead to a dislocation of the spine.

Hammam for weight loss

The benefit of hammam for weight loss lies in the combination of low temperature conditions with the highest possible air humidity. Such conditions increase metabolism, sweating, and vasodilation. The fat located under the skin moves into muscle tissue and burns. The skin becomes elastic, straightens, cellulite tubercles disappear and are smoothed out.

How to visit the hammam correctly

To understand the structure of steam rooms and the procedures offered by the hammam, you need to consider them separately.

The first room of the jamekan is a locker room with tables for tea parties and friendly gatherings, from where they go to the first steam room - soguluk. This is where you get used to the elevated temperatures and prepare the body for the main part of the procedure. The temperature is +35 C, the optimal time for warming up the body is 20 minutes. The last and main room of the hammam is the hararet, with an air temperature of +50 C. It is here that massage, peeling, and body soaping are carried out with a special mixture, which contains mainly oils of plant origin.

To get the maximum health benefits from the hammam, you need to follow certain visiting rules.

To prevent the beneficial properties of a Turkish bath from turning into a problem of dehydration, you need to drink plenty of fluids. Usually they drink aromatic tea in jamekan. Drinking alcoholic and soft drinks is prohibited.
To prevent your health from deteriorating during a visit to the steam room, stop eating 1-1.5 hours before.
Before placing the body on the bench, you need to put a personal towel.
You should not make sudden movements after the procedures - this can cause harm to heated muscles.
Women and men steam separately.

Following a few simple rules will make your stay in the hammam useful and unforgettable.

How often can you go to the hammam?

To get the maximum benefit from the procedures performed in the hammam, it is recommended to visit it no more than 1-3 times a week. Despite the fact that the air temperature in it is low, humidity plays a decisive role in this matter, as well as massage and peeling, which should not be carried out too often.

Excessively frequent visits to the hammam can cause harm even to a healthy body: it can cause problems with the kidneys, nervous system, and dehydration.

How long should you stay in the hammam?

The optimal time spent in the hammam is about 1-1.5 hours. During this period of time, the body and soul will be cleansed. People who have no contraindications, but suffer from any other diseases, are recommended to steam for no more than 30 minutes.

Features of visiting a hammam with a swimming pool

A pool with water at room temperature is considered the final stage after all the procedures offered by the hammam. Here, complete normalization and adaptation of the body takes place after warming operations.

Not everyone can combine a steam room with a subsequent bath in the pool. Those who have diseases related to the functioning of the cardiovascular system are allowed to steam in the hammam for a short time, but will have to refuse to visit the pool: a sharp temperature change will harm the body.

Harm of the Turkish bath Hamam

A visit to the hammam may not end in the best way if you neglect the basic rules of the Turkish steam room. Its harm to healthy people who do not have any contraindications lies in the possibility of overheating of the body. In addition to the fact that the air temperature is not considered extremely high, at maximum humidity the limbs and head quickly heat up. You cannot steam for longer than the permitted time; it is recommended to use a towel turban to protect your head from overheating.

Who should not take a steam bath in the hammam?

There are special groups of people who are prohibited from taking a steam bath in a Turkish hammam.

With cancer. People steaming in the hammam accelerate blood circulation, so tumor particles and toxins quickly spread throughout the body.
Having mental disorders. The hot temperatures of the hammam provoke an increase in aggression.
With skin and fungal diseases. Such diseases can be aggravated by staying in the humid, warm climate of the hammam.
With severe lung diseases. Humid air is difficult to inhale, especially if your lungs are not working at full capacity. A person with such diseases may begin to choke.
With viral, infectious diseases, any inflammation.

People with cardiovascular diseases should be especially careful when staying in the hammam: reduce the time spent in the steam room to half an hour, and do not use the pool after the procedures.

Important! The beneficial properties of hammam have been proven for diseases at the recovery stage: bronchitis, sinusitis, colds. The main rule is the absence of elevated body temperature.

Is it possible for pregnant women to go to the hammam?

During pregnancy, not everyone is prohibited from going to the hammam, because the benefits of the hammam for women in an “interesting” position are difficult to ignore:

reduces swelling;
reduces unpleasant symptoms of toxicosis;
prevents numbness of the limbs;
reduces the risk of varicose veins.

Despite all the beneficial properties of the Turkish sauna, it is necessary to take into account some nuances, otherwise you can harm the fetus.

You can start going to the hammam only after the first trimester of pregnancy.
Consult a gynecologist.
If you haven’t visited such places regularly before, you can’t start steaming right away.
Drink plenty of fluids to reduce stress on your kidneys.
Visit the hammam only with an accompanying person.

If you follow the above rules, then even during pregnancy you can get great benefits from the Turkish sauna.

Conclusion

The benefits and harms of the hammam are two decisive indicators, guided by which a person decides whether to visit it or not. Many argue that a trip to a real hammam becomes one of the most wonderful adventures: it allows you to get to know the culture of an oriental bath, relax your soul and body, treat yourself to a professional massage, peeling, and end the trip with a pleasant friendly conversation over a mug of warm tea.