For centuries, sauna has been an inseparable part of Finnish culture,
and using a sauna-whisk or vihta an
integral element of the sauna tradition.
The Finnish vihta is a bouquet of small birch branches used to gently hit oneself
while bathing in sauna.
In summer, vihtas are often made and used the same day,
but during seasons when fresh material is unavailable, dried, frozen,
and even artificial vihtas are used instead of fresh ones.
In the past, each family made their own vihtas,
but nowadays ready-made ones are widely sold.