Latvia has been experiencing an unusually long winter, with persistent frosts leading many to seek warmth in saunas. To properly conduct sauna rituals in winter, a variety of herbs are collected during the spring, summer, and autumn. However, this year, the abundance and diversity of these herbs have been significantly affected, particularly due to the wet conditions experienced last summer. According to Zemniece, an experienced sauna master and forager, the wet and cool summer severely impacted not just agricultural crops but also the wild herbs in the meadows that are traditionally used for sauna rituals.

Zemniece has reported difficulty in finding key herbs like yarrow, which are crucial for sauna practices. Usually abundant around her home, the yarrow plants have become rare, and she noted that one usually can gather them in plenty during this time. The unusual weather patterns have disrupted the ecosystem of these plants, leading to a significant decrease in their availability. The reported scarcity of these herbs is not just a logistical concern for sauna masters; it represents a deeper change in the local biodiversity affecting traditional practices that rely on specific flora.

This situation raises concerns about environmental changes in Latvia, hinting at a broader impact of climate variability on local ecosystems. As sauna rituals are integral to Latvian culture, the decline in herb availability poses a threat to these traditions and the ecological balance. Local communities and sauna practitioners may need to adapt their practices or seek alternatives, emphasizing the need for awareness and potential conservation efforts as climate patterns continue to shift.