Sweat baths and sweat lodge ceremonies have been around for thousands of years in many cultures around the globe. Although the Native American sweat lodge as a ceremony is best known to us today, similar traditions have been part and in some form are still part of our European heritage, like the Russian bania and the Finnish sauna.

All throughout the ages people have known the many benefits of sweat baths. It was Hippocrates, the ancient Greek physician, who wrote, "Give me a fever and I can cure any disease". A sweat bath provides such a 'fever' and helps our physical body to cleanse itself of toxins and pathogens mostly by excretion through our skin. By increasing the inner heat of our bodies our metabolic rate increases: the organs work harder to deposit waste materials and toxins in sweat, blood and urine. At the same time the splashing of water on the hot rocks creates an atmosphere filled with higher amounts of negative ions, which aids the body's immune system and induces a healthy and positive mental state. With its strong communal character, the sweat has also been a vessel for social interaction, creating and maintaining the bonds between the members of the tribe and forging unity in the community.