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HOW TO MAKE A SAUNA BIRCH SWITCH

​I made a Sauna Vihta and photographed the steps
Enjoy, but do not use the article and photos without permission from me! Contact.

First find your Birch tree and pick some leafy twigs. Don't forget to thank the tree!

Not essential, but a handmade Finnish knife is great for the job.

Scratch the leaves and bark off a long twig that will become the twine to bind the vihta. It has to be twirled by turning one end clock-wise and the other counter clock-wise. I mangled this part as the twig was quite tough to twirl.

Start a layer by laying the grey under-leaves face down.

Layer a second layer with the grey under-leaves facing up. This way the grey sides of the leaves ( that stick less) are in contact with the skin when you use the switch to slap the body.

Ta Da! The twine is threaded through the stems, around the vihta, threaded down, and round again. You are supposed to end with a loop whereby to hang the switch in the sauna if you want to dry it. I was going to use it fresh, so did not make a loop.

Soak in a Sauna bucket or other container

I like to use small off-cuts as Sauna bouquets for their lovely fragrance

Solstice bouguet of leaf branches and wild flowers

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