Woman laying in bed with her Orion Embers

Orion Embers: What is it and how does it work?

The Orion Embers is the new way to sauna.  This infrared sauna blanket offers the benefits of far-infrared light without the inconvenience of a traditional setup.  Easy to use, clean, and store, the Embers fits seamlessly into any self care routine. 

What is far-infrared light (FIR)?

FIR is a specific wavelength of light that deeply penetrates the body to heat your core from the inside. A much longer wavelength than red and near-infrared light, FIR at 1000 nm uses heat, or thermal energy, to stimulate cellular metabolism and provide greater holistic health benefits. Because of the deep penetration of the light, there are many more healing properties than traditional saunas.

Red, near-infrared, and far-infrared wavelengths

Benefits of FIR

The process of FIR heating your core and stimulating cellular metabolism mimics the effects of exercise, increasing your core temperature, heart rate, and blood flow to provide similar health benefits. 

Sweat it out

FIR can help remove environmental toxins and cellular waste, which are toxic to surrounding tissues if accumulated. These toxins are sweat out, or filtered through the liver and excreted in your urine [1]. The Embers promotes your body’s natural detoxing functions, one of the many core functions the Embers helps strengthen.  

Recovery and deep relaxation

The Embers can help reduce stress, recover from a tough workout, or help wind down your mind and body for a good night’s sleep. 

Increasing your core temperature induces sweating and the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers! They are released by your brain in response to pain or stress, like the temporary heat stress from the Embers. This helps relieve pain and deeply relax the body. Research found that people who use saunas regularly report fewer symptoms associated with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia [3, 4, 9].

FIR also supports cellular growth, DNA synthesis and protein synthesis, all of which are crucial for tissue repair and regeneration [2, 8]. Supporting the body’s natural healing process speeds up muscle recovery, as well as healing burns, scar tissue and other skin issues.

Man and woman wiping off sweat in the Orion Embers

Revitalize Skin

Detoxing your body will rapidly improve the condition of your skin, but the Embers actually further amplifies this benefit. The infrared light used kills bacteria in your skin, leaving your skin cleaner and healthier afterwards. This technology also boosts collagen production to improve nail, hair, and skin health [6]! 

Cardiovascular and respiratory health

Saunas may be good for your heart and lungs! Similar to exercise, repeated temporary stresses on our cardiovascular and respiratory systems can strengthen heart and lung functions [5]. Improving the health of these systems is an integral component of reducing the overall risk of disease and death [7].

Studies have shown a reduction in systemic blood pressure due to reduced oxidative stress and inflammation, as well as improved adaptability of blood vessels to changes in pressure. Other studies have shown people who used saunas had a lower risk of pneumonia, asthma symptoms, and other respiratory conditions [3, 4]. 

View a full list of benefits here.

Are infrared sauna blankets safe?

Yes, infrared sauna blankets are a safe, non-invasive technology.  Not only is the infrared technology beneficial and safe in and of itself, the Embers is made with a low-EMF far-infrared helix and non-toxic materials, so you can feel good about your daily dose of self care!  

Like exercise and traditional saunas, the Embers increases your core temperature and heart rate, which may not be suitable for some individuals [4].  We recommend consulting with a licensed healthcare practitioner before using if you’re taking medication, have implanted medical devices, or have an acute or chronic health condition. 

What’s the difference between a traditional sauna and the Embers?

Where traditional saunas use heating elements to raise the temperature of the air inside, the Embers uses far-infrared light to heat your body while the air around you stays unchanged. Instead of being hit with intense heat from the start, the Embers allows your body to transition into the heat. The result is your core temperature rising without having to sit in a hot, stuffy room.

A traditional sauna requires installation in a dedicated space, with separate cleaning and maintenance protocols for the room, lights, and heating elements.  Compared to a traditional sauna, the Embers is a breeze to set up and maintain. Coming in its own carry bag, the Embers is compact and portable - no need to set aside a room to use or store it! The Embers is fully waterproof, so cleaning up after a session is as easy as wiping down a yoga mat.  

Not only does the Embers save you space and efforts on maintenance, it also saves on your energy bills. Since the Embers only heats you and not the room you’re in, it is more energy efficient than traditional saunas.

 

Orion Embers

Box Saunas

Price $699 $2000+
Zero Installation x
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What’s the difference between Red Light Therapy and the Embers?

The main difference between RLT and the Embers is the wavelength of light used.  While the Embers emits far-infrared light (FIR) to produce heat, RLT uses red and near-infrared light (NIR) which produce little to no heat.  

Red light, among many health benefits, is known to increase collagen, energy production, and improve sleep. NIR is a longer wavelength, which can reach deeper tissues for benefits such as improving muscle recovery, joint pain, inflammation, mental acuity, and thyroid function.  FIR is an even longer wavelength, penetrating even deeper to increase your core temperature in a way that simulates the heat stress of traditional saunas and exercise.

View the full list of RLT benefits.

Can you use both RLT and the Embers?

Of course! Take advantage of the beneficial properties of both light and heat therapy by combining RLT with the Embers.  You may use them together or separately to fit your routine and schedule.  

Visit our FAQs or contact us to learn more about the Embers.

 

References

[1] Genuis, S. J., Lane, K., & Birkholz, D. (2016). Human elimination of organochlorine pesticides: Blood, urine, and sweat study. BioMed Research International, 2016, 1–10. 

[2] Hussain, J. N., Cohen, M. M., Mantri, N., O’Malley, C. J., & Greaves, R. F. (2022). Infrared sauna as exercise-mimetic? Physiological responses to infrared sauna vs exercise in healthy women: A randomized controlled crossover trial. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 64, 102798. 

[3] Hussain, J., & Cohen, M. (2018). Clinical effects of regular dry sauna bathing: A systematic review. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2018, 1–30. 

[4] Kukkonen-Harjula, K., & Kauppinen, K. (2006). Health effects and risks of Sauna Bathing. International Journal of Circumpolar Health, 65(3), 195–205. 

[5] Laukkanen, J. A., Laukkanen, T., & Kunutsor, S. K. (2018). Cardiovascular and other health benefits of Sauna Bathing: A review of the evidence. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 93(8), 1111–1121.

[6] Lee, J. H., Roh, M. R., & Lee, K. H. (2006). Effects of infrared radiation on skin photo-aging and pigmentation. Yonsei Medical Journal, 47(4), 485-490.

[7] Lim, G. B. (2015). Sauna bathing associated with reduced cardiovascular mortality. Nature Reviews Cardiology, 12(5), 257–257. 

[8] Mero, A., Tornberg, J., Mäntykoski, M., & Puurtinen, R. (2015). Effects of far-infrared sauna bathing on recovery from strength and endurance training sessions in men. SpringerPlus, 4(1). 

[9] Redberg, R. F. (2015). Health benefits of Sauna Bathing. JAMA Internal Medicine, 175(4), 548. 

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