@Hinoron Not spruce swithces but birch branches tied together. And it's not a myth either, we whack each other with those at sauna all the time. It's very enjoyable as it' gets the blood running without really hurting at all (since the branches are soaked in water and the heat/sweat smoothens the skin). I've even heard that some people use sting nettles instead of birch branches, and it was explained in a way that makes sense to me (the nettles, just like the branches would be soaked in water, and with the heat and sweat smoothed skin, the stings wouldn't actually pierce it, but would still release the histamine, which would cause a mild burning sensation). Still haven't been brave enough to try the nettles myself though.
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@Hinoron Not spruce swithces but birch branches tied together. And it's not a myth either, we whack each other with those at sauna all the time. It's very enjoyable as it' gets the blood running without really hurting at all (since the branches are soaked in water and the heat/sweat smoothens the skin). I've even heard that some people use sting nettles instead of birch branches, and it was explained in a way that makes sense to me (the nettles, just like the branches would be soaked in water, and with the heat and sweat smoothed skin, the stings wouldn't actually pierce it, but would still release the histamine, which would cause a mild burning sensation). Still haven't been brave enough to try the nettles myself though.