Nothing like being rubbed all over with herbs and cooked, is there?

No, that's not some kind of kinky euphemism, but the reality of our favourite massage place in Ubud. Jamie jokes its a pizza spa because we are rubbed with herbs and spices before going into the 'oven' r the sauna itself. Run by a family, Boreh Pijat is offers an awesome massage too, and we have been checking it out as an option to build our own in the back acres when we get home.

The steam for the sauna is created in a pot on top of a wood fire which forces the steam into a small room

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A little history of the boreh:

In the past, rice farmers returned from their fields after a day’s work standing in the water tending their crops. In their kitchens they took a mortar and pestle and hand-crushed local ingredients such as cloves, ginger, cinnamon, coriander seeds, rice, turmeric root and nutmeg, among others. They combined them with water to make a thick aromatic paste, and then smoothed it over their bodies. This aromatic body mask kept them warm at night, warding off chills and colds and providing relief to sore muscles and joints. When the first sunrays came up they took their morning bath in the river and vigorously rubbed the mask away kick-starting their circulation. This ritual prepared them for a new day, while also protecting them from insect bites back in the paddy fields.

Its meant to relieve muscles, prevent headaches, restore chi or life energy, and increase blood flow. It helps with the circulation of blood and is even meant to help with jet lag.

We are thinking of building a room just like this for our own sauna. Has anyone built their own woodfired sauna?

I have no idea about Boreh Pijat's secret recipe, but a search brought up this one that is worth including for interest's sake. I am going to give this a shot when I get J. to make me my steemy pizza sauna! Watch this space!

Ingredients

• 2 tsp rice flour
• 1 tsp cinnamon powder
• 1 tsp lesser galangal powder
• 2 tsp clove, finely ground
• 2 tsp of ginger powder
• 1 tsp of coriander powder
• 1 dash of black pepper
• 1 tsp of hot water
• 1 tsp or more of coconut oil (or olive oil or other vegetable oil)

You can also add turmeric powder to treat skin impurities or coffee powder for a more detoxifying effect.

Directions

1. Combine all the spices in a bowl, add the hot water first and stir. Then add the oil and mix until the paste becomes smooth.

2. Apply the paste all over your body (avoiding sensitive areas). It’s best to do this in your shower or bathtub. Leave it on for at least 5 to 10 minutes to work its magic. Enjoy a relaxing ginger tea while waiting.

This was the point where we entered the sauna and steamed ourselves covered in herbs.

3. Rub the dried mask off your skin vigorously to cause the paste to flake away. Then take a warm shower or a bath to remove the rest.

4. Apply some coconut oil to the skin while it is still wet, then tap dry with a towel. (If you prefer you can use more oil in the scrub in which case you won’t need to apply more oil or a moisturizer afterwards.

Have you ever built a backyard sauna of some kind? How did you do it? I would love to hear from you!

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