What is the largest organ of the human body? It’s the skin, which, for the adult human, on average, weighs approximately six pounds, and is part of the integumentary system, which is made up of layers of something called ectodermal tissue and helps protect the muscles, bones, ligaments and internal organs. It protects against pathogens and excess water loss; it helps insulate the body, regulate temperatures, and provides the experience of sensation. Clearly, it’s a vital part of the human body, and so you want to treat it well. A sauna or steam shower is one way to cleanse the skin, allowing this essential organ to sweat and clear out its pores while simultaneously allowing the bather to relax in a warm, humid environment.

The benefits of a steam shower go well beyond cleaning out the pores. For centuries, people have used water and steam to heal and reduce stress in the body. Bathing in steam may not only help reduce stress, but also improve blood circulation, ease muscle tension and pain, help joint pain and stiffness, and relieve congestion in the sinuses. Just fifteen or twenty minutes in a shower that combines water and and steam should relax and refresh not only your mind, but your body’s largest organ .