• Who Benefits from Sauna?
• What is The History of Sauna?
• Where Can I Put a Sauna?
• When is the Best Time to Use?
• Why Choose Traditional vs. Infrared?
• How To Enjoy Your Sauna Experience!
• Dr. Wiel Says...
• Peace of Mind

Dr. Weil Says...

Dr. Andrew Thomas Weil is an author and physician best know for establishing and popularizing the field of integrative medicine and as a frequent guest on the Martha Stewart Show.

• Traditional Sauna (Where to install) exploded image is an infrared model. Need to replace with a traditional "Sisu" model (panel built)
• Traditional Sauna types (Where to install) need to show image of each with description
• Traditional Sauna (When to use) need to continue last sentence with …comfortably "heated as well."
• Infrared V. Traditional page; "all seven models plug in (instead of "plugged in")

To me, the benefits far outweigh any hazards. If you're in reasonable health, the benefits of a sauna or steam bath are great. If you have high blood pressure or heart disease, saunas may be good for you, but you'll want to be cautious; check with your physician first, and go easy. And with either of these conditions, it's not a good idea to jump right into cold water afterward, as Finns always do.

When you take a sauna, the heat pumps up blood circulation near the skin and stimulates sweating. The Finns say a proper sauna elicits about a quart of sweat per hour. I generally encourage sweating. It helps the body rid itself of unwanted materials and improves general circulation. In medieval times, healers relied on saunas to cure illnesses, and priests used their heat to chase away evil spirits.

Even if you're in a very hot steam bath or sauna, it's mostly the temperature of the surface of your body that goes up. As it increases, blood vessels dilate, and circulation in the skin climbs. As resistance to blood flow through your veins and capillaries drops, your blood pressure goes down. Then your heartbeat increases to keep blood pressure normal.

Finns always follow a sauna with a plunge into cold water. I find this incredibly refreshing and enjoyable, and healthy as well. Then you relax afterwards. Also, be sure you drink plenty of water, to replace the water you're losing.