Sauna Whisks: Sustainable Foraging and Craft

An ancient sauna bathing tradition practiced to promote circulation and improve skin health, many would argue that massage with a traditional birch whisk is essential to an authentic sauna bathing experience. Keen to experience the benefits and share this practice, this summer, we asked local ecologist and natural florist Grace Crabb to sustainably forage birch from the Dyfi forest where our workshop is situated, and to hand-craft Heartwood Saunas’ very own traditional whisks, now available to purchase online!

Grace Crabb holds sauna whisks in the Dyfi forest

Whisks for Health and Relaxation

A sauna whisk (known as a ‘vihta’ or ‘vasta’ in Finnish) is made up of fine, leafy tree-branch tips bound together in a bunch and used for tapping and brushing the body to increase circulation and enrich the skin with therapeutic oils and vitamins. Birch is widely considered the best option for sauna whisks, as birch leaves contain powerful antioxidants such as vitamin C and provitamin A, as well as saponins and tannins revered for beneficial skin-softening, nourishing and antimicrobial properties [1][2].

It’s therefore perhaps unsurprising that a number of health benefits are ascribed to birch whisking; it’s said to improve circulation and lung function, reduce inflammation, soothe skin rashes and speed up the healing of wounds. The oils released by the birch in the process of whisking also fill the sauna with a refreshing, woody aroma, creating an uplifting and immersive sauna bathing experience which boosts mood and aids relaxation.

Looking back over the Dyfi forest while harvesting birch

Grace with the first birch whisks she made

Introducing Local Maker, Grace Crabb

Local ecologist and nature-inspired florist, Grace Crabb, has lived amongst the birch in the Dyfi valley for 17 years.

“Going into the woods to do woodland management and ecological surveys undoubtedly influences the way I put together the flower arrangements that people order. I want people to feel like the things I make have just been plucked from nature, and I think the structure of nature comes out in what I do because that’s where I spend my time.”

As well as growing and arranging native British flowers, Grace is passionate about engaging people with the local environment and teaches hurdle-making, weaving and wreath-making workshops that aim to connect people with nature through traditional craft. In Grace’s words,

“I’m particularly interested in empowering people to engage with the natural environment in a positive way, and demonstrating sustainable harvesting techniques. I want people to have a relationship with the land they live in, and I’d like everyone to think of the landscape as something they can interact with, not feel separated from.”

This concept really resonates with Heartwood Saunas’ ethos, as we design our outdoor saunas with the aim of fostering a connection with nature and the landscape that surrounds us.

Grace Crabb walking through young birch trees

Grace Crabb using a long pruning saw to harvest high branches of birch

Quote: "I hope that demonstrating sustainable management of the forestry that I harvest in will positively influence the way the whole forest is managed going forward" - Grace Crabb

Selecting and cutting branches for sauna whisks

Grace carries branches of birch along the forestry track

Sustainable Foraging for Birch

The Dyfi forest where our workshop is situated, and where Grace has permission from Natural Resources Wales to harvest birch, is home to both downy and silver birch species, which hybridise freely in the regenerated broadleaf copses scattered across the valley. Grace’s background is in biodiversity and woodland management, so protecting the local environment is central to the way in which she works when foraging.

“I hope that demonstrating sustainable management of the forestry that I harvest in will positively influence the way the whole forest is managed going forward.”

Conscious of what the trees can comfortably withstand, Grace carefully selects and prunes side branches from mature birch trees, as these have larger leaves that lay flatter in one direction, making them ideal for sauna whisks. All of the birch used in our whisks is sustainably harvested by hand from the Dyfi forest and prepared by Grace at her home.

Grace carrying birch branches out of the Dyfi forest

From Tree to Whisk

Mid to late June is the best time to harvest, according to Grace, as the leaves are fully grown but still very fresh. Once gathered, the branches are taken back to Grace’s home, where she bundles them up, binds them with willow, and lays them to dry flat between layers of paper atop a pellet stove burner in her kitchen.

Once dried, the birch whisks are stacked and stored in Grace’s workshop. Before use in the sauna, the whisks should be soaked in lukewarm water for half an hour to rehydrate the leaves - the birch-infused water is then excellent for use on the hearth stones, creating an aromatic steam. The whisk should then be placed in a bucket of fresh water then used gently on sauna-warmed skin, rinsed, and hung to be reused a second time if desired - you can learn more about how to use them, and purchase a Heartwood Saunas whisk handmade by Grace here.

We also encourage you to check out Grace Crabb’s courses and flowers.