Women and men who take care of their appearance love to visit cosmetologist’s offices and spa salons. If earlier procedures for rejuvenation and healing of the body seemed inaccessible, today everything has changed. Specialists understand the needs of people and develop economical tariffs. For relatively little money you can get tremendous pleasure, lose excess weight, and tone your body. The “phyto-barrel” copes well with these tasks. The essence of the action is to supply hot steam into a sealed vessel, into which a person immerses the entire body except the head. The composition used to create steam includes essential oils and decoctions of medicinal herbs. The procedure enhances metabolism, accelerates blood circulation, has a pronounced cosmetic effect, and also supports the functioning of internal organs.
What it is?
A phyto-barrel made of cedar is a sealed container, round, square or oval, intended for SPA sessions. It is believed that the first designer of cedar barrels in their modern form was the herbalist from Khakassia Vasily Podterebkov. He created such a container about 50 years ago. Although wooden fonts filled with hot steam from herbal decoctions have been used in Rus' for centuries.
But the first cedar barrels were not popular and were used mainly in Siberia, where they were created. Only 20 years later this device began to be used everywhere. And now a mini-sauna made of healing cedar wood can be found in many sanatoriums and even private baths.
Modern barrels no longer use water, as was the case in ancient fonts. The container is filled only with hot steam from herbal infusions. Because doctors have found that the beneficial substances from steam are better absorbed by the skin.
The procedure does not require a lot of assistants. Steam is supplied automatically into the barrel using a steam generator connected to the container using a fitting. The resulting condensate is discharged through the drain hole. Phyto-sessions are available everywhere, both in medical institutions and in private premises.
Procedures in cedar barrels can be taken sitting or lying down, with the body comfortably positioned inside. In this case, the head remains outside. This fundamentally distinguishes a phytobarrel from a regular sauna. At the same time, the vessels of the head do not experience increased and completely unnecessary load, and moist and hot air enters the lungs when the head is tilted.
Expert opinion
Yaremchuk Svetlana Sergeevna
The owner of a SPA salon knows everything about beauty treatments
The temperature in the cedar barrel is maintained from 40 to 60 degrees. Humidity is always 100%. The procedure is similar to taking a hot bath or Russian bath. To enhance the healing effect, you can add essential oils or a combination of herbal mixtures to the phyto-barrel.
Cosmetics for cedar barrels
Effective accompanying products for cedar barrels are natural herbal parks and herbal mixtures made from herbs collected in the Altai Territory. Medicinal herbs are used to enhance the effect in the procedure for restoring beauty and health. List of herbal preparations:
- Chamomile, sage, calendula have an anti-inflammatory effect;
- Motherwort relieves nervousness and anxiety;
- Nettle tones the body, normalizes metabolism;
- Yarrow is an antiseptic;
- Oregano has a sedative effect;
- Hops and wormwood have a relaxing effect;
- Thyme, juniper, anise strengthens the immune system.
If desired, you can add essential oil to the phytobarrel steam generator: pine, eucalyptus, rose petals.
Herb tea
What is the benefit
Cedar phyto-barrels are rapidly gaining more and more fans, thanks to their benefits for the body. The procedure combines the healing power of cedar and a life-giving bath with respiratory inhalation of herbal vapors.
Visit to the cedar barrel:
- relieves muscle tension and fatigue;
- increases immunity;
- normalizes blood pressure;
- removes waste and toxins;
- tightens and rejuvenates the skin;
- hormonal levels are normalized;
- promotes weight loss and cellulite reduction;
- the nervous system is restored;
- blood flow in the pelvic organs is stimulated, which prevents the development of gynecological and urological problems.
With regular procedures, the body will be protected not only from colds, but also from many other diseases. Ailments always lead to the appearance of a negative emotional background, and a person who feels cheerful and healthy is in a good mood and can easily withstand stress.
During the procedure, all body systems are involved. This is a kind of training for the heart, since under the influence of temperature the heart rate can increase. In a certain sense, 15 - 20 minutes in a cedar barrel serves as an alternative to a short run.
Indications
Cosmetic massage is performed to reduce fat deposits. If you have problems with the elasticity of the skin on your abdomen, uneven skin, stretch marks, cellulite, contact a professional massage therapist. After childbirth, you can also massage the abdomen to restore it to its previous appearance, prevent skin sagging, speed up its contraction, and enhance collagen production. However, the procedure can be carried out only after the end of postpartum bleeding, complete healing of the sutures and contraction of the uterus. Before going to the salon, consult your doctor.
Therapeutic abdominal massage is prescribed in the following cases:
- Constipation due to slow intestinal motility;
- Flatulence;
- Colitis;
- Problems with the reproductive system;
- Biliary dyskinesia (bile stagnation);
- Fat deposits in the abdominal area that are difficult to remove with diet.
Contraindications to procedures
Despite the positive effect on the body, if you have some problems, you should not visit the cedar barrel.
Direct contraindications are:
- infectious and colds in the acute stage;
- any inflammatory processes in the body;
- severe chronic pathologies;
- malignant tumors and uterine fibroids;
- asthma, COPD;
- thrombophlebitis;
- postoperative period for 6 months;
- open tuberculosis;
- atherosclerosis;
- bleeding, including menstruation;
- increased intracranial pressure;
- skin diseases: fungus, eczema, psoriasis;
- heart and kidney failure.
Important! Procedures in a cedar barrel are strictly prohibited for pregnant and lactating women and children under 3 years of age. It is also advisable to refrain from vaping for people who are afraid of confined spaces, do not like or do not tolerate high temperatures.
Features of abdominal massage
During the procedure, many people try to pull in their stomach and tighten their abdominal muscles. This is not recommended. It's better to relax as much as possible. It will be easier for the specialist to capture areas of the skin. Don't worry that your belly looks too big or flabby; with massage and proper nutrition, it can be brought into good shape.
If during the session you feel tingling, slight burning or even discomfort, this means that the movements are quite intense. But if pain occurs, you must inform a specialist. You cannot endure pain during a massage.
If you are doing a massage for the first time, the duration of each stage should not exceed 3 minutes. You will not be able to achieve rapid weight loss if you increase the session time. This will only injure unprepared tissues and lead to swelling and bruises.
To achieve a more pronounced anti-cellulite effect, after the massage, dry your stomach, lightly rub it with a brush or towel, and apply cream or lotion to strengthen the skin.
If a rash appears on the skin, it itches, peels off, it means that the cream or oil for massage was chosen incorrectly. Before the session, apply a little cream to your wrist or elbow and wait 5 minutes. If no irritation appears, then there is no allergy, and you can start massage.
If you massage yourself, do not press too hard on the skin. Anti-cellulite massage should not be too painful. Squeezing the skin and folds only injures the tissue and increases swelling. Traces of hemorrhage on the skin, an increase in the volume of the abdomen indicate that you overdid it during the massage.
At the last stage of cellulite, even small touches to the abdomen can cause pain and discomfort. Massage is not a contraindication, but you need to warn a specialist about the presence of pain. The first sessions should be very careful and short. Gradually, the procedure time will increase, and the discomfort will begin to go away.
After a massage, do not go on a strict diet. Fasting will signal your body to store fat. You need to eat regularly, but try to reduce the amount of carbohydrates. But fiber will help you lose weight.
During the course you should not wear shapewear, corsets, or tight belts. Blood circulation in the abdominal area should not be disturbed by anything.
How does the procedure work?
A steam therapy session in a cedar barrel has a specific algorithm. You should not violate it, since in this case the positive effect will not be achieved. And gross violations or neglect of contraindications can lead to extremely negative consequences.
It is important to follow the following order:
- Visit the phytobox on an empty stomach. The last meal is allowed 2 hours before the session.
- Before visiting the barrel, take a shower with cosmetics: the body must be absolutely clean, without creams, ointments or oils applied to it. The skin pores must be open so that herbal extracts can penetrate into them to the desired depth.
- Before the session, you should drink a glass of water or juice to avoid dehydration.
- During the session, they sit or lie down, depending on the design of the barrel. The body should be as relaxed as possible. The procedure lasts 15 – 20 minutes. The time cannot be exceeded.
- At the end of the procedure, you need to spend 30–40 minutes in a warm room, putting on a warm robe. At this time, you can take a warm shower and drink a herbal decoction.
- To consolidate the therapeutic effect, it is recommended that after steaming you undergo a cosmetic procedure such as a massage or body wrap.
Classic abdominal massage technique
Classic massage has been very popular for decades. It can be used both to normalize the gastrointestinal tract and to eliminate cosmetic defects.
Classic abdominal massage is carried out as follows:
- First prepare the skin by cleansing it. Choose a massage oil or anti-cellulite cream that suits your skin type.
- The massage begins with light stroking with your fingertips to warm up the skin. Start from the area around the navel and gradually increase the diameter. Remember that all movements in the abdominal area should be performed only clockwise.
- After stroking, you can start rubbing . If this is the first session, it is advisable to rub the skin of the abdomen for no more than 3 minutes. They allow you to warm up the dermis more intensively and prepare it for further manipulation. Rubbing is done with both hands. If the massage is performed to eliminate cellulite, you can increase the time of this stage or make the movements faster and more intense.
- Pressure is used to normalize the functioning of internal organs . You need to place your palm on a certain point, cover it with your other hand, press lightly and hold it for no more than 3 seconds. Then you can move on to the next point and move clockwise.
- Another stage of classic massage is kneading . A small area of skin on the abdomen is grabbed with the fingers. This roller gradually shifts. Kneading warms up the skin well and accelerates the process of breaking down adipose tissue.
- Then you can move on to vibration . Such movements are carried out with the edge of the palm or fingers. Vibration improves skin elasticity and helps tighten the belly.
- The massage session ends with stroking . All that remains is to remove the remaining oil.
Redness of the skin is a normal reaction to massage. But there should be no bruises or hematomas on the skin. If you notice marks or feel pain in the abdominal area, you should interrupt the course and consult a doctor.
To get a good result, you need to carry out a massage course of 10 procedures. The break between sessions should be short. Sometimes it is recommended to do massages every day until the end of the course. Then you definitely need to take a break.
The duration of one session is no more than 25 minutes. But for the first time, it is not advisable to massage the abdominal area for more than 15 minutes.
How often to visit the phyto-barrel
There are no specific recommendations on the frequency of taking sessions in a cedar barrel. It all depends on the capabilities and individual characteristics of the body. The specialist who is seeing the person can give precise recommendations.
General recommendations for carrying out the procedures are as follows:
- The first session is recommended to be carried out at a temperature of 45 - 50 degrees for no more than 15 minutes.
- One visit to a cedar barrel will not bring the desired benefit. The minimum course is 7 – 10 sessions. It is advisable to carry out procedures 2 times a week. It is not worth visiting the barrel more often, since the body experiences quite a serious load during sessions.
- To consolidate the result, the course is repeated after a break of 2 - 3 weeks.
Certain rules exist for older people and children. Procedures for them should begin with sessions lasting 5–10 minutes. The temperature is set to the minimum. Gradually, the session time and temperature indicators are increased to achieve the desired effect.
Price
A cedar barrel along with a steam generator can be bought for 33-65 thousand rubles. There are several manufacturers in Russia, they compete with each other.
Now he will sell you a set with a steam generator for 62,900. At Roskedr, prices start at 34 thousand per set. BENWOOD asks 34,500 for a cedar barrel alone.
The most budget-friendly and high-quality options are from “Fytorodnik”. According to the promotion, you can meet 22,900 rubles per phyto-barrel. The set, together with the steam generator, will cost 33,900. If you expect to undergo 2-3 courses of procedures, then it is definitely worth buying such equipment for your apartment or house.
It is impossible not to mention the extremely favorable conditions for doing business with a cedar mini-sauna. If you are the owner of a holiday home, beauty salon, fitness center or spa, then you should say thank you to fate. By reading these lines, you get a chance to make additional profit.
As for the cost of procedures in salons, it depends on the pretentiousness of the establishment, rent, and service. On average, the cost of one session ranges from 500 to 1500 rubles. Of course, there are exceptions. Some establishments provide this service as an incentive, a gift to their visitors.
Where can I install
Any room with a normal level of humidity and no sudden temperature changes is suitable for installing a cedar barrel. It is also important to have good ventilation to preserve the wood.
For a container with standard parameters, prepare an area of 1.5 - 2 square meters. It is also necessary to provide space for the location of the steam generator. It is installed next to the barrel on a stand or wall. It is possible to install a steam generator in an adjacent room.
Suitable sites for barrels:
Bathrooms
Insulated loggias
Attics
Basements with low humidity levels
Advice! Before purchasing a barrel, check the dimensions of the room where the barrel will be installed and the dimensions of the doorways through which it needs to be carried. If they are narrow, opt for a compact model or order a dismountable one for assembly on site.
DIY healing device
A phytobarrel is a very simple device. It can be done with minimal cash costs. But here it is worth making a reservation: such a task is within the capabilities of those people who love to create with their own hands. It will be difficult for a city dweller to cope with “this puzzle”. Let's get started?
Materials and tools
Steam generator canister
We stock up on:
- Nails, or better yet, self-tapping screws;
- tongue and groove board;
- circular saw;
- screwdriver;
- with an axe;
- iron tire;
- thermocouple with switch;
- a metal container for storing water;
- thermostat;
- bars 50×50 mm;
- hinges for the lid;
- plastic hose;
- container for condensate;
- gloves;
- safety glasses.
Manufacturing technology
To create a phyto-barrel for weight loss and health, we do the following:
- we make a frame from bars and make a box, since it is almost impossible for beginners to make a barrel;
- we organize a drainage groove at the bottom of the box;
- we make the lid and seat;
- take a tank (heat-resistant);
- install a heating element (electric heater);
- connect the hose;
- We hang a thermostat on the structure.
The structure is simple, but quite acceptable for use. However, be extremely careful with a homemade steam generator and follow all safety precautions. If you are new to this business, try making only a barrel with your own hands, and buy a steam generator or order it from a craftsman, which will be cheaper. Remember, safety comes first!
Rules of care
Currently, anyone can purchase a cedar barrel to carry out healing steam procedures without leaving home.
In order for the device to serve for a long time and not lose its qualities, it is important to follow the rules of care and storage:
- The barrel is kept in a room with humidity from 50 to 70%. You should not store it in a room that is too dry, as the boards may “lead” and large cracks will appear. If conditions are too wet, the wood may begin to rot.
- If long-term storage without use is expected, you need to place a container of water inside.
- After use, the barrel is washed with baby soap or mustard solution, then ventilated in the open state.
Does abdominal massage help you lose weight?
Visceral fat is very difficult to eliminate even with the help of diets and sports. Massage increases blood circulation, allows you to break down fat deposits, and also increases skin elasticity, which gives a visual effect of slimness. As you know, from those areas of the skin where there is good blood circulation and lymph outflow, fat disappears first.
Massage is an additional aid in losing weight, but the procedure itself will not eliminate fat. You need to reconsider your diet , give up bad habits (sometimes smoking and drinking alcohol contribute to an enlarged belly), move more , and monitor the condition of your skin .
To speed up the weight loss process, you need to drink more clean water . If you drink 2-2.5 liters of still water per day, the effect of the massage will be more noticeable. Swelling will begin to go away faster, metabolism will accelerate, and the skin will become more elastic.
If you follow the basic rules, you can quickly get your figure in order. After physical activity, massage helps muscle tissue recover faster. Even those people who could not remove their belly fat through exercise will see noticeable progress after a massage. Abdominal massage speeds up the fat burning process and helps make your figure more toned, but it does not solve the problem of excess weight associated with overeating and physical inactivity.
FAQ
Is it possible to install a cedar phytobarrel in an apartment?
The barrel can be installed in any room where space allows. Steam does not escape from it and does not have a negative impact on the microclimate.
What chemicals can be used to disinfect a barrel?
The barrel must not be treated with any chemicals. Cedar will lose all its healing properties if exposed to aggressive substances. Disposable napkins or a towel are placed under the legs and buttocks. There is no need for additional disinfection, since the inside is constantly being self-treated with phytoncides and hot steam. If you use the barrel for commercial purposes, at the end of the working day you can put a quartz lamp inside for 10-15 minutes.
Can children use the phyto-barrel?
Yes. If there are no contraindications, children over 3 years old can use the phyto-barrel under adult supervision.
Which barrel shape is more convenient: square or round?
There is no difference in the shape of the barrel. The parameters are selected depending on the location. A round barrel of large diameter cannot be carried through standard doors, so it is better to purchase an oval one, with a smaller diameter of 70 - 80 cm, and a larger one - 100 - 110 cm.
Do I need to connect the barrel to the sewer?
You can if you wish, but it is not necessary. The drainage volume is minimal, so it is enough to install a container to collect water.
Recommendations when choosing
There are a large number of cedar barrels on the modern market. They differ in the material of manufacture, wall thickness, and position. Vertical with a sitting position takes up minimal space in the apartment. The bench has an adjuster, thanks to which you can choose the most convenient height for comfortable placement. The wall thickness is on average 2.5-4 cm.
The main materials in production are:
- pine. Has a high level of antibacterial properties;
- larch. Resistant to aggressive environments. Durable;
- oak. Helps in the treatment of skin diseases;
- cedar. The most popular material. It has a bactericidal effect and retains heat well.
The purchase should be made based on personal preferences and the intended purpose of use.
