First ever UK Herbal Cup champions crowned

The aufguss movement has been gathering pace in the UK, as more spa goers embrace the transformative power of steam, heat and communal bathing.

Similar to aufguss, but more focused on herbs, plants, rituals and infusions, the Herbal Cup is an international competition centred around nature-based sauna and steam ceremonies.

This month, the UK entered the international Herbal Cup competition for the first time, with a two-day event held at Hoar Cross Hall in Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire.

Seven contestants took part, with Natalie Campo from Sakura Sauna Haus named as the overall winner.

Hoar Cross Hall’s Alison Yates came second, with Alex Irwin from the Sauna Dome in third.

The first and second place contestants will now go on to compete in the World Championships at Aquapalace in Prague on November 25-29.

The Herbal Cup explained

The Herbal Cup rolls two competitions in one. Each sauna master prepares both a steam ritual, using products they’ve made themselves from scratch, and a sauna ritual.

Sauna masters work with herbs, plants, infusions, smoke, resins, fans and whisks to create immersive, sensory experiences guided by the heat.

The judges’ focus is not just on performance, but also on how the master works with heat, plants and people, and a presentation table showcasing their work.

Each entry must follow a clear theme, with points awarded for coherence, creativity and the way all elements are woven together.

A showcase of ritual and knowledge

Speaking exclusively to European Spa, event organiser Deborah Carr, founder of Anada Spa and Wellness, said: “The Herbal Cup explores a different dimension of sauna work and assesses the true depth of sauna masters’ knowledge.

“It’s about stripping everything back to how sauna and steam were when we first started doing this, centuries ago.

“Contestants can use whisks, fans or towels to move the heat, so it sits alongside aufguss, but is more of a showcase of ritual and knowledge in the purest form.

“The focus is on selecting ingredients that have meaning behind them. Guests then apply the products to themselves, particularly in the steam session. It really leans into the grassroots of good sauna mastery.”

Back to nature

Founded in the Czech Republic by Pavel Hofrichter and Radka Hortová, the first Herbal Cup took place in 2013. It now runs internationally, with 18 competing countries

“I wanted to bring a celebration of nature back to the sauna; to create a competition where sauna masters have to demonstarte the complexity of their performances,” said Hofrichter.

“The Sauna Herbal Cup has three parts: a herbal ritual in the sauna, a peeling procedure in the steam bath and a presentation, where masters explain which products they created and why. It’s a complex competition that really tests their skills and understanding of sauna mastery.”

A growing passion

Host spa Hoar Cross Hall has embraced aufguss sauna rituals for a number of years. The spa offers two complimentary sauna ritual experiences a day, hosted by one of its six sauna masters.

“We are thrilled to have hosted the first UK Herbal Cup competition,” said spa manager Lori Davis. “We wanted to help raise awareness and give sauna masters somewhere to showcase their talents.

“Sauna rituals are an opportunity for therapists to get involved in a completely different aspect of therapy; one that’s about heat rather than physical touch.

“Our sauna masters come from the spa facilities team, F&B, beauty therapy… it doesn’t matter what role you start in, it’s something anyone can become passionate about and add another string to their bow.”

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