Vaginal Steaming for Pelvic Health, Fertility and Feminine Empowerment

Vaginal Steaming, or Yoni Steams, Bajos Vaginales, is a traditional healing therapy that can be traced back through many, in fact most, indigenous cultures throughout the world. Its purposes traditionally were to address menstrual irregularities, after birth or miscarraige, and to address “spiritual disharmony” of the feminine spirit. The practice is relatively simple, and involves sitting over a pot of warmed herbs, allowing the steam to warm the pelvic area, and external vaginal tissues. It is a direct and gentle way to deliver herbal medicine to the reproductive and pelvic area. When mixed into water and heated, the volatile oils from the plants are carried into the vapors, much like herbal facial & lung steam inhalation practices. Steaming helps to nourish vaginal tissue, warms the pelvic area which improves circulation and supports cleansing through the lymphatic system. This encourages cleansing of the womb and surrounding tissues, and helps balance pH levels and is hugely relaxing for the nervous system. Some of the benefits reported are to ease menstrual cramps and PMS symptoms, aid in balancing mood swings, bloating, and irregular cycles, assist in resolving cysts and fibroids, help correct yeast and bacterial infections, support fertility and optimize healing after birth or pregnancy loss.

In addition to the physical benefits, one of my most favorite aspects of this practice is that it encourages deep connection to our inner feminine wisdom. The gifts of the feminine principle are powerful, the source of intuition and connection to the earth and her cycles. So often our womb and vagina are not necessarily tended to with care and devotion, for we live in a masculine oriented society. We were not necessarily raised to appreciate and honor our vagina and womb, our cyclical nature seen to be a problem as opposed to what it truly is, which is a blessing. When we give attention and offer healing to these aspects of being a woman, we can not only often find stored trauma/tension, stuck energy, stored emotions, we also find wisdom and insight into our soul path and unique creative power. In working with women with fertility and hormone challenges, as well as chronic vaginal dysbiosis, I have yet to find a case that did not have its roots in some aspect of their relationship to being a woman, and feelings or traumatic experiences surrounding their sexuality. Just a note that this does not always mean overt trauma like we tend to think of it, it can be simply times where full consent was not given or felt, or we were not treated respectfully. Just a reminder that trauma does not have a definition, rather it is how we experience something, and what we feel about it.

Now there is mixed information out there, on the effectiveness of this as a therapy, so I will encourage you to try it for yourself before deciding either way. When we read about those people who disregard it as a beneficial practice, I find that they are missing some of what the purpose is, and while approaching practices from a scientific and evidenced based perspective has its value, I have found that it is just one piece of the picture as far as whether something is useful. So I can just say that for myself and so many women, it has been a life changing self care practice.

As we move into how to do this practice, we will first have a discussion around safety. Then you will find detailed instructions and a supply list.

Who Should Not Steam:

• It is best to not steam during Menstruation or bleeding.
• Do not steam if you have an IUD.
• Do not steam if you are or could be pregnant.
• Do not steam if you have an active pelvic infection, especially if there is fever, open sores or blisters.

Other Safety Considerations:

• The biggest safety issue in most cases is making sure the herbs are not too hot. So allowing the herbs to cool for a few minutes after taking them off the heat before sitting down to steam is recommended. As well, if it at all feels too hot, or if there is a question about it being too hot, stand up and either stir or fan the bowl of herbs to bring the temperature down.
• Only use actual plant material, and use gentle herbs that are safe to ingest and gentle to the skin. Never ever use essential oils as they are too strong for the delicate vaginal tissue.
• While wonderful for postpartum healing, it is best to wait a week or two after giving birth before steaming, unless assisted by an experienced doula or indigenous birth worker.

When To Steam:

• You can steam anytime during the menstrual cycle except for bleeding.
• For Fertility, steaming right around ovulation can relax the vaginal tissues, and enhance capacity for pleasure/orgasm which does increase chances of conception. Steaming around this time is also wonderful for manifestation, or calling in that which you wish to create or embody.
• For cramping and PMS, steaming during the premenstrual period a few days prior to bleeding can help to reduce uncomfortable symptoms. Steaming before bleeding can also enhance the “letting go” that is a natural part of this phase in the cycle.
• For healing from birth or miscarraige, or to heal trauma from previous birth or pregnancy loss.
• Steaming at the end of the menstrual cycle can also be nice to increase circulation and warmth to the pelvic area to help any stagnant blood to be released.
• Anytime you are wanting to connect more deeply to your body, your purpose.
• When you feel stuck, whether emotionally, if you are having difficulty processing loss or grief, or even anger, and resentment.
• Anytime during the cycle (besides bleeding), when you are working to manifest something, as the feminine energy is the creative potential force that brings energy into form.

Supplies

Fresh or Dried Herbs:

• Often you can find premixed herb blends, otherwise you can blend your own!
• The most commonly used herbs:
  • Red Raspberry Leaf, Calendula Flowers, Chamomile Flowers, Red Rose Petals, Lavender Petals.
    • Raspberry leaf is a classic womb tonic herb
    • Calendula is very healing for tissues, as well as being a cleansing herb. It soothes irritated tissues.
    • Chamomile is relaxing and reduces spasmodic pain/cramping.
    • Red Rose is a strong astringent and is nourishing for the skin, as well holding that energy of feminine empowerment and love. Very useful for heavy bleeding.
    • Lavender is of course relaxing, anti-inflammatory and gently anti-microbial.
  • Other lovely additions depending on your constitution and the purpose of the steam.
    • Yarrow is an herb that holds feminine protection energy, it is cleansing and is wonderful for heavy bleeding. It is a potent immune support herb as well, and great for tissue healing. I use this one a lot for postpartum healing. Useful for heavy bleeding.
    • Motherwort is wonderful for transitions in life.
    • Damiana is an herbal aphrodisiac, great for fertility.
    • Mugwort leaf is used often for its magical purposes, it functions as a connector and messenger to the plant spirit realm, it also has anti-microbial properties.
    • Rosemary is a potent cleansing and antimicrobial herb, and increases circulation. Energetically it helps us access ancient wisdom and inner strength.
    • Oregano: Useful if there is chronic yeast of bacterial vaginosis.
    • Ginger: Warming and circulation supporting. Avoid if tendency towards heavy bleeding.

Steam Seat/Set Up:

• There are several styles of seats, some are a wooden seat that fits on the top of a 5 gallon bucket, or else there are wooden box style thrones.
  • There are metal buckets you can order on Amazon, which is preferable to plastic, however as long as the seat is wooden with non toxic coating it is fine.
  • My favorite supplier of the Yoni Steam Set up is Alila Grace, you can find the seat and herbs on this site:
    • https://alilagrace.com/product/v-steam-queen-spa/
• You can also sometimes find local doulas or practitioners who lead private or individual Yoni Steam ceremonies, who provide the tools. This can be a nice way to learn how to do the practice and experience it for the first time in a supported situation.

Large Pot for Boiling Herbs:

Ideally Stainless Steel or Ceramic, do not use a pot that has a toxic nonstick coating.

Medium Glass or Ceramic Bowl to Pour Herbs into

Sarong, Long Skirt, Blanket or Sheet (To contain steam and keep very warm)

Alter, Candles, Incense to Set Sacred Space, Choose Guided Meditation or Music (20 minutes)

Journal or Paper to write intentions and place underneath the bowl of herbs.

Directions

• Place 1/4 cup of Loose Herbs in Pot with 3-4 cups of Filtered water.
• Stir and Offer Blessing and Gratitude. Can steep in a glass jar on your altar or in the sunlight or moonlight for a few hours prior to warming them.
• Cover and simmer for at least 15-20 minutes. I like to simmer on low for 15 minutes, turn off the heat and let it steep for an hour or so to really infuse the healing herbal essences into the water. Then reheat the herbs to a soft simmer before you steam, allowing to cool for 5 minutes before steaming to reduce any risk of burning. Keep the pot covered until you are ready to steam to contain the volatile oils.
• Prepare steam setting. Set sacred space with incense, candles and soft music.
• Sit in Meditation for a few moments preparing for the steam. Set intention to tune into the wisdom of your Yoni and Womb, asking for any messages that she (YOU) has for you. Use a piece of paper to write down your intentions, and place under the bowl in the bucket.
• Carefully carry the pot to the steaming area, using a ladle, pour warm water and herbs into a glass/ceramic bowl.
• Place the seat on top of the bucket and sit down, wrapped in blanket or sheet, ideally wearing socks to keep feet warm. If it feels too hot at all please move off the seat for a few moments to allow it to cool.
• Steam for 15-20 minutes, adding another ladle or two of warm herbs/water if desired about halfway through.
• Focus on opening to the steam, rock hips back and forth, gentle hip spirals, whatever movement feels good.
• Breathe Deeply, inviting in the steam, can imagine light accompanying the steam.
• Use your voice, either through toning, singing or just audible breath. There is a direct link between the throat and cervix, both being portals of creation and expression. So this practice helps open the throat chakra as well as the sacral creation center.
• Follow your own channel, your own intuition and see what happens!
• When finished, Take a few moments lying down to integrate the experience.
• To dispose, offer the herbs back to the Earth, whether under a tree, or in a stream, offering with gratitude for the healing that has taken place.

Should you feel curious to learn more, please comment, any questions are welcome. Creating a group healing ceremony for your female friends can also be a wonderful way to experience this therapy, as there is beauty and power in the gathering of women in healing spaces. In closing, I want to acknowledge and offer gratitude to those indigenous healers and wisdom keepers who have passed down such powerful practices through the generations, to now benefit women of all backgrounds and cultures.

Blessings on your healing journey.