Korean Saunas are divided into male and female sections for using the actual sauna, getting a body scrub, massage and showering. In this area where everyone is naked, the dad’s take their sons and mothers take their daughters to their respective sections.

Everything in Korean Saunas is provided for a cost – shampoo, soap and exfoliation materials. If you feel like a special scrub down by the professional ‘scrubbing person’ there is an extra fee and you make a booking when you enter the sauna.

You can also have a massage after the scrub which really leaves you feeling like you are walking on air – the world seems to be a whole different place after wards. If you are looking for depression relief, I can recommend this approach.

Inside the jimjilbang there are a variety of room choices at different temperatures, including an ice room. The bathing pools are also different temperatures and have different substances to bathe in, including a milk bath. Some pools have strong water jets and even waterfalls.

Korean Saunas are famous for their kiln shape, which dates back to the 15th century. Known as the Han Jeung Mak, this dark cave like sauna with a small low opening was heated with by burning the wood of pine trees. The idea of using heat for healing has a long history as it is believed that prior to this, people would crawl into pottery kilns to benefit from the warmth.

I once came across one of these traditional style Korean Saunas while traveling through farm land. It was a relatively newly build mud structure which blended into the surrounding landscape. Inside was a large modern tiled pool and shower facilities, but entry into the sauna itself was through a low entrance. Sitting inside was like taking a step back in time.

The first public bath house was build in 1925 by the Japanese, for the Japanese who occupied Korea at that time. This type of bathing caught on and modern Korean Saunas were born. Early bath houses were both a luxury and a necessity. Previously people bathed mainly in streams so in this way the bath houses were indeed a luxury, but as the homes had no facilities for bathing it was soon viewed as a necessity.

Mud is one of the favorite substances used for both health and beauty. People cover their body in mud, allowing it to dry in a heating machine for about 20 minutes before showering. A mud bath is usually around 42 degrees, and sitting in one for a short time ensures profuse sweating.

Soaking in a yellow earth bath for about 15 minutes improves the quality of the skin. It is also used for massage.

A bath with pine needles is refreshing and helpful in reducing skin irritations.

A carrot bath is also good to rejuvenate the skin, as is apple or water melon which is said to help restore energy.

Cucumber is an old favorite for skin and rice bran can improve skin quality as it is high in protein, but it tends to leave a strong smell.

A garlic bath is useful if you suffer with piles or if you are suffering from a cold.

Spring onion and ginger bathes help with sweating and help alleviate vomiting. Ginger is particularly good for circulation and helps when you have a cold or the flu.

Pine needles in a bath help with stiff joints.

Studies have also revealed that green tea can improve elasticity, give protection from the sun and reduce sun damage. For rosacea treatments, psoriasis and as a natural acne treatment, green tea has proved to be very helpful.