since ancient times, steam therapy has been used by traditional healing systems around the world to improve and maintain vital health and beauty.  Turkish baths, Indian sweat lodges, european banya rooms, are just a few examples of cultures that harness the power of steam.  Hippocrates recognized that by creating and "artificial fever" could alleviate many illnesses.   today, most western health practitioners will state they are unfamiliar with the benefits of steam therapy due to research in the west being very limited.  contrary to Europe though, steam bathing is recognized as effective for wide variety of conditions such as mild depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, nicotine addiction, hypertension, chronic pain, respiratory conditions and cardiovascular disease.