With approximately one sauna for every three people in the country, sauna bathing has become a national pastime in Finland. The practice began thousands of years ago as a method of bodily cleansing and relaxation, and most Finns still take a weekly sauna bath.

Steam rooms have been used for hundreds of years to improve blood circulation, drain sinuses, rejuvenate skin, and relieve joint and muscle tension. These are definite benefits, but steam rooms also have their drawbacks. A little caution and forward thinking can help you avoid the negative effects of steam rooms.

Soaking in a hot spring need not be solely reserved for a relaxing vacation or a weekend getaway. These mineral-rich baths offer a slew of natural health benefits you may not know about.

Saunas help you relax and increase feelings of well-being, according to Harvard Health Publications. They cause your heart to beat 30 percent faster and can burn almost as many calories as a 3-mile run.

A paraffin bath machine contains a heat source and tank that holds paraffin wax. The machine melts the wax and maintains it in a liquid state. When you immerse your hand, foot or other body part in the liquid paraffin, the wax coats the body part completely.

In the world of fragrance, scented oils are stable, solid heavyweights compared to their scented-spray counterparts. Because of its thickness, the fragrance from a tiny amount of oil can last for hours.

Saunas are a common fixture in many fitness centers, spas and other health-related facilities across the United States. In fact, saunas have even found their way into many personal homes through professional installs or the use of a sauna-building kit.

If you suffer from eczema, you'll try just about anything to ease the discomfort of this itchy, painful skin ailment. Steam rooms and saunas present an interesting conundrum on whether the extreme heat and humidity will alleviate symptoms or worsen them.

When paraffin wax melts, its soft consistency allows it to, in effect, fit your hand like a glove as you dip into it. And because paraffin can hang onto a lot of heat, it can then transfer this heat onto your hand and into aching joints and muscles, which results in increased blood flow.

If you are suffering from a cold or allergies, a Vicks steam may temporarily alleviate your symptoms.

Gyms, spas and even hotels often feature a sauna room, which provides either dry or wet heat. The average sauna can reach temperatures of up to 185 degrees F, according to Harvard Health Publications. The premise behind the sauna is that you sweat out the toxins in your body.

A sauna is a small, enclosed, heated environment that can quickly increase your body temperature to about 104 degrees Fahrenheit, according to Harvard Health Publications.