Starters

When I think of Finland, I think of nature in the extremes– the bitter cold ice and the fiery heat of the saunas. Finland has 3 million saunas for a population of just over 5.5 million. Isn’t that amazing?! In Finland, saunas are common in people’s homes; even city apartments have them.

According to Finnish history, there are people still alive who were born in saunas because in the absence of hot running water, a sauna offered a sterile environment in which to give birth.

You go naked in a sauna in Finland and then come out and dip into a lake or roll in the snow and a part of the sauna culture that’s embedded in people’s lives is the sauna whisk.

Vihta and vasta are the two words used to describe sauna whisks that are made in summer from the branches of the common birch tree and they are used during sauna time to massage the body. They are traditionally used to increase circulation and enrich the skin with therapeutic oils and vitamins from the leaves of the trees. And of course, I discovered them and thought, ‘wow, how can we incorporate these into sexy time?!”

Main Meal

Now that I’ve given you some background, I wanted to show you how to make your own sauna whisk. Now that I’ve made my own I’m trying to figure out how I can build a sauna in my home so I can get the full effect, but that’s for another menu.

I live in Australia and it is pretty cold at the moment and in the absence of a sauna I had to improvise but it was fun to experiment, and I recommend you try it.

So, here’s how you do it.

forage branches

or raid your friend’s bush . . .

You can pick branches from birch, oak or eucalyptus. I didn’t have any of these trees in my yard but my friend Jess came to my rescue and off I went to her house with some secateurs to pick from her two silver birch trees.

Ideally, you pick your branches in spring or early summer when they are lush and green; it’s currently autumn, nearly winter in Australia but I wasn’t going to let that stop me so I had to deal with some slightly yellowing leaves.

You can also buy these whisks online but there is something fun about making your own!

The general rule of thumb is that the branches are around 50cm in length so keep that in mind when you’re collecting but if you’re short like me, you may want to make a smaller whisk or if you’re tall, you may enjoy a bigger, fuller bush/whisk. Play with it!

remove catkins

shit, I forgot that bit . . .

I learned that these erect long things are called catkins and you’re meant to remove them. I got really excited about BDSM-ing my branches so I forgot until I had tied it all up.

Anyway, I managed to get most of them out. They aren’t poisonous so I assume it’s more of a feel thing. But if you like the idea of being lightly tapped by multiple micro phallus then, by all means, keep them on.

You need a handle for your whisk, so trim your leaves from the bottom part and line up your branches so you have a neat handle. You can also trim any bits of the branch that are sticking out so you have a smoother feel in your hand.

If you’re doing this traditionally, you would use the birch branch to make a tie to bind your whisk, but lucky for us, they invented a thing called kitchen string, or ‘rustic rope’ if you’re feeling fancy. But yes, this is the same string I use to stop lemons falling out of my chicken’s butthole when I roast him.

I tied my branches together in two spots because I just decided that’s the look I wanted and it also keeps the branches bunched together more tightly. But you could easily get away with one and stretch it out over the length of your handle.

Now you’ve made your whisk, it needs some prep before you can use it.

You need to soak the leaves, which makes them softer and helps to extract the oils. Traditionally, you soak your whisk in cold water for 30 minutes on each side (leaves first and then handle), but if you’re pushed for time you can swap out the cold water for warm water (not boiling!) for 10 minutes each side.

Once that’s done, pop your whisk in a bucket of warm water and get ready to play!

If it’s warm weather where you are, then do this outside–lay a blanket on the grass or pop some cushions on a balcony and get your lover to massage your back with your wet whisk. Use it gently. It’s not so much a whip as it is more for tapping and massage.

If you’re like me and shivering your butt off on dewy mornings, run a nice hot bath, get some essential oils happening, some candles glowing, some music playing, and have your warm water bucket with the whisk in it next to you. You and your partner then take turns tapping each other’s backs.

Or, if you have no bath then shower together and try it in there. After you’ve tapped a few times, you’ll notice the leaves get cold, so you dip it in the bucket or run some warm water over it.

Dessert

Whisking may or may not lead to sex but regardless, this is a different and fun way to tap in to your subtle senses. Enjoy the feeling and the smell as the leaves release their oils. It’s a sensual experience with a lover.

Also, these whisks are not one-time use thing. When you’re done, hang them upside down in a dry and well-vented space, and remember to soak it before you use.

Well, I’m off to make a sauna but would love to know how you go!

Hei hei!

Sauna Whisk Play Menu

Starters

Main Meal

Dessert