Guide · Sauna culture

The vihta: making and using a Finnish birch whisk

A bundle of fresh birch branches, softened in water and patted over the skin in the heat. The vihta (or vasta) fills the sauna with the scent of summer birch and is one of the oldest parts of the Finnish sauna ritual.

Vihta or vasta?

Both words mean the same thing. Vasta is traditionally used in eastern Finland and vihta in the west, though the line is not strict. Vasta is probably an old Germanic loanword, related to the Swedish kvast, broom; vihta is thought to be an original Finnish word.

When and what to gather

  • Season: from around Midsummer to early July, when the leaves are fully grown but still hold on firmly.
  • Birch: silver birch makes a more durable whisk; downy birch is softer and smells stronger.
  • Length: branches about half a metre long.
  • Permission: ask the landowner before cutting.
  • Where oak grows plentifully, oak whisks are used too.

How to make one

ArrangeLay the branches in a fan, pale leaf undersides facing out so leaves do not stick to the skin.
Clear the handleStrip leaves and twigs from the bottom 10–15 cm.
BindTie the handle with a bent birch twig, a twisted band, or plain string.
Tie twiceBind the handle in two places and trim twigs that could poke your hand.

How to use it

  1. Soak first. Put the vihta in cool water for a few minutes so the leaves stay supple. For a stronger scent, dip it briefly in hot water just before use.
  2. Start gently. Pat or brush the skin with the leafy end, arms and legs first, then back and chest. Leave out the face and sensitive areas.
  3. Find your pressure. Increase it only as far as feels good. The heat and the scent matter more than the force.
  4. Whisking someone else? Agree on pressure and areas before you start.
  5. Between rounds, keep it in cool water. Never leave it in hot water or put it on the stove, and shake off excess water when you finish.

Whisking fans say it gets the blood moving and leaves the skin soft. There is little research on it; most people simply use a vihta because it feels and smells good.

Storing and buying

  • Freeze: seal fresh whisks in a plastic bag with the air pressed out and freeze them for use in winter.
  • Dry: hang them in a cool, airy, dark place. Soak a dried whisk in cool water before use.
  • Buy: outside Finland, dried birch whisks are sold by sauna retailers, sometimes mixed with herbs. Example of a dried birch vihta

After whisking, sweep the leaves off the benches and floor. They are easier to clean up while still damp.

Sources