Veniks

Venik (plural veniki) is a bundle of leafy tree branches used as a massage and aroma tool in traditional bathhouses. It is most commonly associated with Russian banyas but is also used in other Eastern European sauna traditions. A venik typically consists of birch twigs with intact leaves bound together with a string or cord, forming a flexible whisk.

Birch veniki are the most common, valued for the aroma of birch leaves and the believed soothing effects on the skin and circulation. Other species such as oak, alder, linden, pine, or eucalyptus may be used, producing different scents and textures. Veniki are usually harvested in late winter or spring when the leaves are young and the twigs are flexible, and dried for storage.

During a banya or sauna session, the venik is used to strike or brush the body while in the steam, in a practice known as venka or just venik massage. The motion stimulates blood flow, helps exfoliate dead skin, and releases the scent of the leaves. It is typically applied with a light, rhythmic whip or sweeping strokes, avoiding sensitive areas, and may be followed by gentle rubbing with the hands.

Veniki are usually dried between uses and kept in a cool, dry place. In public bathhouses, individual or single-use veniki are common for hygiene, though some users reuse veniki for several sessions after drying and sanitizing. Modern spa veniki may be pre-soaked or infused with additional herbs and essential oils.

Venik culture is a component of the traditional bathhouse ritual in Russia and parts of the Baltic region and Eastern Europe, where bathhouses serve social and cleansing functions. In contemporary spa contexts, veniki remain a cultural emblem and are sometimes marketed as crafts or souvenirs.