Ethiopia’s Traditional Sauna – With honey covering her face and butter in her hair, Saba Yilma releases fragrant smoke from under a heavy leather cloak to control the temperature of her “weyba tis,” a traditional Ethiopian sauna treatment. Seated above a fire of smoldering twigs and herbs, Saba represents a rising trend among young city dwellers who regularly seek out this beauty therapy. Advocates of the treatment assert that it not only enhances appearance but also aids in healing various conditions, from minor aches to birth-related trauma.

“I had a slight pain in my thighs and lower back. Now I feel relieved,” shared Saba, a woman in her late 20s, after a session at the Fana Weyba spa and salon in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital. The spa is owned by Fana Gebremedhin, who introduced the traditional practice from her hometown Raya in the Tigray region over two decades ago. She’s now preparing to open her third spa in the city. “When I first started this business, it was primarily older women who used the service,” Fana explained. “Now, the majority of our clients are young, modern women.”

There is some initial evidence suggesting that the weyba tree, the primary fuel used in the fire, may have medicinal properties for mice and rats. A study published last year in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine indicated that weyba extract could potentially be developed into treatments for “managing immune-related disorders,” although the study did not investigate the effects of its smoke on humans. “We recognize that further research is needed, but we’ve experienced firsthand that it can alleviate hip and joint pain, headaches, and skin issues,” stated Workinesh Birru, Ethiopia’s state minister of culture.

Mistir Desalegn doesn’t require scientific validation. She undergoes the treatment at least once a week when she’s in the capital. “The way I feel after using the Weyba Tis is amazing,” she said. “My face glows.”