There are about 650 Eucalyptus species, the most common are Eucalyptus viminalis and Eucalyptus cinerea. The leaf of Eucalyptus cinerea appears to be more beneficial, but it is mostly used in pharmaceutics. Eucalyptus grows in Australia, Abkhasia, Georgia, Turkey, Greece, Italy, Israel and some other southern countries. Eucalyptus originates from Australia, its leaves are the basic food for koalas. Eucalyptus trees may reach a height of 70 m or more and have a curved white smooth trunk up to 1 m in diameter. A mature eucalyptus tree daily consumes 150 to 250 l of water. Eucalyptus was first brought to the Black Sea cost of the Russian Empire in the 19th century and planted in the Nikitsky Botanical Garden in Yalta, Crimea. Starting from 1939, eucalyptus was extensively cultivated in the USSR throughout the Russian Black Sea cost ranging from the Crimean Peninsula to Batumi, Georgia.  At that time, Kolkhida Lowland, a region at the Black Sea cost, was a wetland. Extremely high humidity of the region favoured fast reproduction of the malarial mosquito. Eucalyptus was used as a method of fighting malaria and draining the coastal areas. A young spring of eucalyptus grows 3 to 5 m high during a year and consumes much water. However, the eucalyptus could not stand the cold winters of 1950-1951, when the coastal temperatures dropped below zero and to minus 15^oC in the Crimea, and only survived in a small area extending from the Big Sochi to Batumi, Georgia. Today Eucalyptus cinerea is widely spread in Abkhasia and Georgia.

Eucalyptus leaves fit for making whisks all year round except for the flowering period, which differs depending on the region. Eucalyptus branches should be dried in a dark and well-ventilated place. Dried leaves should have green colour. The eucalyptus leaf turns white if exposed to sunlight, and black if exposed to moisture or poorly dried. Poorly dried eucalyptus leaves should not be transported at high temperatures as they start to "burn out" and turn black.

Although quite new for the steam room, the eucalyptus whisk has become popular among real bath lovers both in and outside Russia. It is not recommended to use the eucalyptus whisk at temperatures above 60^oC since unlike the traditional birch and oak whisks, due to a large content of essential oils the eucalyptus whisk becomes coarse when overheated and may burn you. The best option for a bather is our export version of the whisk, which is three time larger than the standard one. The eucalyptus whisk can be used for inhalation, or you can use it to prepare a solution and pour it on oven stones or walls, or just soak the whisk and leave in the steam room for aroma. Aroma is the most valuable benefit of eucalyptus: essential oils containing in the leaves release phytoncides which have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Our standard eucalyptus whisk is good for aroma in a steam room.

There are many oak species, but in this article we would like to highlight the main three species used for our whisks.

The first one is Caucasian or Krasnodar oak, which predominantly grows in the Krasnodar Region, Adygeya and Abkhazia.

It is the most durable oak whisk which is resistant to high temperatures and steam. If the leaves are properly collected, dried and stored, it may be used for at least five times. The leaf has a smooth contour and light green colour, and the branches are not thick. An average whisk is 50–55 cm long and 35–40 wide, with a 10–12 cm handle. An experienced bather uses two whisks in the steam room. Such whisks are used in the famous Sanduny Bath House.

The second oak species is the one that grows in the Central Russia: the Nizhni Novgorod Region, Mari El and a number of other regions.

It is the most beautiful oak species that can be found in Russia and differs from the Caucasian oak by the leaf colour and contour. In a middle-aged tree, branches are not very thick, the leaf is bright green with perfectly smooth contours. The whisk is 55–60 cm long, 40–45 wide, with a 10–12 cm handle. Unlike Russian southern regions, winter temperatures in the Central Russia often drop below zero, so when exposed to high temperatures in the steam room, the leaf is not as durable as that of the Caucasian oak. The whisk will last 1 or 2 steaming sessions. The oak whisk is primarily exported to Europe and North America.

The third species is Vladimiro-Bryansky or the Old Oak. It mostly grows in the regions bordering with the Moscow Region.

It basically differs from the other two species by its size. The whisk is 60–65 cm, 40–45 wide, with a 10–15 cm handle. Branches are thicker than average and curved, the dark green leaves have a rough contour. This whisk will better fit those who have own sauna or bath. You can comfortably use it by yourself, and it will substitute for two Caucasian oak whisks. Unlike the whisk made from the Central Russian oak, it will last 3–4 steaming sessions due to its large size.

Oak whisk

Frequent use of the oak whisk helps to stabilise your arterial pressure, since the aroma oils containing in the leaves actively fight hypertension. It is especially good to use the whisk after a hard working day as it has a relaxing and tranquillising effect. Oak is also known for its anti-inflammatory properties.

Birch whisk

Birch leaves contain essential oils and vitamins А and С. The birch whisk helps to relieve joint and muscle pain, particularly triggered by injuries or heavy physical activity, it cleans the skin and leaves it smooth, elastic and toned. Besides, essential oils heal wounds, pustules and grazes and have a tranquillizing effect on the nervous system.

Eucalyptus whisk

The eucalyptus whisk is not usually used for whisking as due to a high content of essential oils when exposed to temperatures above 60^oC the leaves become coarse and may burn the skin. The best thing is to leave it on a bench to achieve a pleasant fragrance throughout the steam room in almost a minute. If you have a cold  (sniffles or cough), bring the whisk close to your face and breathe in for about 7–10 minutes.

The whisk has recently become popular in the steam room due to the healing properties of the eucalyptus leaf: it acts as a pain reliever, heals radiculitis, neuralgic pain, strain, bruises, inflammation of muscles (myositis), joint pain and stiffness.

Eucalyptus inhalation is widely used in phytotherapy. The eucalyptus whisk can be used in the steam room for massage or for inhalation. For inhalation, press the whisk to your face and breathe in through the nose.

It is an effective treatment for bronchial or laryngeal disorders, inflammatory processes in trachea, chronic cough and sniffles. If you don't have an eucalyptus whisk at hand, soak any other whisk in the eucalyptus tincture.

Nettle whisk

The nettle whisk is very helpful after a hard physical work, it immediately relieves muscle and joint pain. When used right and regularly, the nettle whisk may stabilise arterial pressure and have a tranquillising effect on the nervous system, and also help to cure rheumatism, radiculitis, podagra, furunculosis and kidney disorders. The whisk should be put in hot water for only 2 or 3 seconds. Before whisking, the body should be well heated up. Whip gently.

Pine whisk

Pine contains various resins which slightly irritate the steamed body skin and trigger sweating. Acerose leaves boost blood circulation not only in muscles but also in all parts of the body. The whisk is often used to strengthen the cardiovascular system and for massage to manage back pains, while phytoncides are bactericidal agents perfect for preventing cold-related diseases.

Linden whisk

Linden has a strong analgesic effect, acts softly on the kidney and sweat glands and facilitates efficient operation of the urinary system and sweat glands. It is perfect for curing respiratory diseases. Linden helps to clean mucus from the lungs and even ease fever.

Artemisia whisk

Artemisia facilitates metabolic processes in the body and helps fight early aging. Biologically active substances of artemisia have a therapeutic effect. The whisk is perfect for fighting stomach diseases and excess weight.

Wild ash whisk

Wild ash stimulates the nervous system and helps to removes fatigue. Using the wild ash whisk tones the muscles and improves general physical capacity of the body.