ST201902

NEST (^) | TRADITIONS
Bathing around
the world
Public bathing is not just about
cleansing, it’s about pleasure and
a feeling of community. Throughout
history many cultures have
developed their own rituals around
a communal soak.
The great bath
The oldest bathhouse in the ancient
world was built with baked brick
around 2,500 BCE and is located in
the lost city of Mohenjo - daro.
Excavated in the early 1900s in
present-day Pakistan, it was used as
a temple, many believe, because
bathing and religion are so closely
connected at the site.
Roman thermae
Bathing was a commonplace activity
in Roman culture and the bathhouse
was a place for fun, friendship,
courtship, business and more. Built
on lavish hot springs, these baths
resembled modern-day spas and
could accommodate up to 6,000
people at a time, rich and poor.
Turkish hammam
The Turks created a hot bathing
experience known as Turkish steam
or hammam. It was open from
sunrise to sunset, and major life
events were celebrated at these
baths, with bathing rituals featured
as par t of bir ths and weddings.
Russian banya
An important aspect of ancient
Slavic culture, steam baths in wooden
bathhouses were thought to provide
miraculous healing. In banyas people
were warmed at intense heats before
lashing themselves with tree
branches to boost circulation , then
hopping into cold rivers and lakes.
Japanese onsen
Bathing in natural hot spring baths is
a beloved part of Japanese culture.
Offficial onsen contain 19 naturally
occurring chemicals and the water
must emerge from the ground at 25C
or hotter. Rich in sulphur and sodium
chloride, it is thought to heal aches
and pains and help with conditions
such as hypertension and diabetes.
Finnish sauna
Invented in Finland over 2,0 0 0 years
ago, the small wooden room is
designed to bathe the body in dry
heat or steam. After around 10–15
minutes sweating (the average
person loses around a pint of sweat),
participants take a cold shower or
a dip in a freezing tub or lake.
British bathing
In the Middle Ages most people
didn’t have access to private bathing
facilities. Wells and the streams of
monasteries provided clean water,
and bathhouses emerged in many
towns. It wasn’t until the mid 19th
century that middle cla ss homes
began to have their own bathrooms.
Taken from Bathe: Rediscover the
Ancient Art of Relaxation by
Suzanne Duckett (Bonnier Books)
If you ’re feeling anxious or
sad, the right bath can
soothe the side effects.
Orange essential oil has
been scientifically proven
to help lower heart rate
and cortisol (stress
hormone) levels.
500ml coconut oil
220g Epsom salts
5 drops orange oil
Run your bath but don’t
step in it right away. Splash
your body first with water
to dampen your skin
before rubbing this citrussy
body scrub head to toe in
circular motions. Soak for at
least 15 minutes so that the
oils can take effect.
A cheer-up soakp