What is vaginal steaming, what herbs to use, and how to do it.
Vaginal steaming is a non-invasive, holistic practice to support a woman’s menstrual, reproductive, sexual, pelvic, and gynecological health.
Vaginal steaming, also known as yoni steaming or pelvic herbal steaming is a practice that has roots in nearly every (if not every) culture and region of the world. It’s a simple practice of making a strong pot of herbal tea blended to your specific reproductive and gynecological needs, and kneeling or sitting over the steaming herbs with a sheet around your waist creating a sauna for the pelvis, to receive the medical properties of the plants and the cleansing effects of the steam and heat.
Vaginal Steaming increases circulation, moving any stagnation while promoting cleansing of the uterus to support your overall pelvic health as a female-bodied being.
Vaginal steaming can be incredibly supportive for those who are struggling with…
Endometriosis
Ovarian Cysts
Uterine Fibroids
PCOS
BV or Bacterial Vaginosis
Irregular, short or long menstrual cycles
Painful periods
Painful ovulation
Menopause or Perimenopause
Postpartum
Vaginal Dryness
Painful Sex
Emotional healing around the pelvis.
Benefits and side effects of vaginal steaming.
An ideal period happens every 28-30 days, with an average of 4 days of bleeding bright red blood. No clots, no spotting, no dark thick blood, no cramping. Steaming can help regulate your cycle, improve its efficiency, and free you of any pain and discomfort related to it.
Users have reported better sleep, decreased swelling in legs and feet, decreased abdominal bloating, increased libido, decrease in breast soreness, fewer headaches, fewer PMS symptoms, increased energy, lucid dreams, tingling feet, and increased lubrication.
Signs you could benefit from vaginal steaming.
• Dark or brown blood at the beginning/end of your period
• Dark or thick blood
• Heavy periods
• Cramps or painful periods
• Clots
• Hormonal imbalances
• Bleeding more than 4 days
• Cycles shorten than 27 days
• Irregular cycles
• PMS
Safety first…vaginal steaming real talk and myth busting.
Overall pelvic or vaginal steaming is a non-invasive, very safe, and effective modality. There are a few contraindications that are very important to be educated around, and the herbs you use make all the difference.
There are a handful of situations where it is not dangerous to steam, but it can inflame certain gynecological issues causing you discomfort. Steaming could potentially cause certain birth controls (Essure, arm implant or patch, tubal coagulation) to not work, it could potentially reverse uterine ablation or uterine embolization, and it can be very dangerous if done while bleeding or if you are prone to intermittent bleeding/spontaneous bleeding/two periods a month.
*IMPORTANT*
• Never steam with any sign of fresh blood.
• Never steam while on your period.
• Do not steam If you have two periods a month, are prone to spontaneous bleeding, or intermittent bleeding.
• Do not steam if there is a chance of pregnancy (including post-ovulation if trying to conceive).
• Do not steam post-surgery (c-section, hysterectomy, fibroid surgery, etc.) for at least 6 weeks so the incision can heal.
If there is any sign of fresh blood or you are prone to spontaneous bleeding, two periods a month or intermittent bleeding, steaming can induce heavy bleeding. If you are pregnant it can induce a miscarriage.
Soft contraindications:
Meaning it’s not dangerous to steam but vaginal steaming may cause discomfort or interfere with certain birth controls or procedures.
• If you have any sort of infection accompanied by a “burning sensation” or a “burning itch” you most likely have excess heat in your body and steaming will inflame your discomfort. It is up to you whether to try but you most likely will benefit from seeing a naturopath, acupuncturist, or herbal practitioner to address this before trying to steam.
• If you use birth control in the form of an arm implant or patch, have Essure coils in the fallopian tubes, or have had tubal coagulation (one form of having your tubes tied) steaming can potentially reverse the effects of your birth control causing it to not work properly. If you have the NuvaRing, take it out while steaming and then put it back in after.
• If you have had uterine ablation or uterine embolization, steaming could potentially reverse the effects of the procedure.
If you have a situation where you are unsure, it’s best to seek a trained practitioner to guide you. Email Abby with questions.
What herbs to use for vaginal steaming.
What herbs you use are very important and NEVER use essential oils. I cannot stress enough to not just throw any herbs together. People who have negative experiences practicing vaginal steaming, 99% of the time it’s because they didn’t use the proper herbs or proper amount, and they didn’t follow the instructions, most commonly steaming too long causing aggravation.
GENTLE BLEND
Use this blend when your menstrual cycle is 27 days or less, or if your period came back earlier than 9 months postpartum. If either of these are true ALWAYS use the Gentle Blend. It overpowers any other indications in other blends.
½ tsp lavender
1 tsp nettles
1 tsp lemon peel
1 tsp mugwort
2 tsp astragalus
CLEANSING BLEND
Cleansing herbs are for people whose cycles are 28 days or longer. They're for missing periods, and for those whose cycle is controlled by oral contraceptive.
2 tsp motherwort
½ tsp lavender
2 tsp nettles
2 tsp lemon peel
COOLING BLEND
Cooling herbs are for those with hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, or dry natured infections unaccompanied by discharge. Cooling herbs are also ideal if you have an aversion to heat or are living in a very hot climate.
½ tsp motherwort
½ tsp lavender
4 tsp nettles
2 tsp lemon peel
2 tsp mint
DISINFECTING BLEND
Disinfecting herbs are for those with damp natured infections or viruses accompanied by an irregular discharge that is discolored, malodorous or thick. If you have an infection or virus without discharge choose the Cooling Herbs - this blend is drying.
½ tsp motherwort
1 tsp lavender
2 tsp nettles
3 tsp lemon peel
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS
You also can use 2 tablespoons of dried organic peppermint, or simply use water and add 2 tablespoons of salt, or you can use 1/3 cup of apple cider vinegar in the water (add after heated). Even if you qualify for the gentle blend.
Please note this is not medical advice, this is purely educational to do your own research, and check with your health practitioner about before practicing, and if you have a complex situation it’s best to get a custom formula from a trained Vaginal Steaming Practitioner.
How to do vaginal steaming.
Make sure to stay hydrated to avoid any lightheadedness, headaches, and to support your body in the cleansing process just like if you were getting into a sauna.
Preparing The Herbs
The Gentle Blend needs more steeping to get the full medicinal properties out of the herbs.
Gentle Blend Instructions
1 ½ quarts / 6 cups water
Bring water to boiling
Turn down to low
Place in 2 tablespoons of dried herbs.
Leave the lid on, and let sit on low for 10 minutes.
Turn burner off
Steam session ready (may need to cool and extra 5 or 10 minutes with the burner off.)
Disinfecting, Cooling, and Cleansing Blend Instructions
1 ½ quarts / 6 cups water
Bring water to boiling
If you have a bulk bag, add 2 tablespoons of dried herbs ( use 3 tablespoons for the Cooling Blend)
Leave the lid on and turn the burner off
Sit for 10 minutes.
Steam session ready
Vaginal Steaming Without A Stool
You will stand on your knees with the pot between your legs, either resting your upper body forward on your bed, or on a pile of bolsters and pillows.
Place a hot pad on the ground for the pot.
Have pillows or towels for support under your knees.
Wrap a towel around the pot to avoid burning your legs.
Have blankets and or sheets to wrap around your waist.
Always test the temperature of steam first with your hand to make sure it’s not too hot.
From there make sure to position yourself over the steam slowly, to again make sure it’s not too hot.
The lid is left on to contain the medicinal properties of the plants, so do your best to keep the lid on until you're ready. If it’s too hot, let it cool with the lid on.
Cover/wrap your lower body with blankets and/or a sheet to contain the steam.
You can open your labia apart with your hand once, and from there get comfy and relax.
Once your comfortable the steam should last about 10 minutes.
Vaginal Steaming With A Stool
Have blankets and/or a sheet prepared to wrap around your waist while sitting on the stool.
Once the herbs are prepared, place them on a hot pad underneath the stool.
Always test the temperature of steam first with your hand to make sure it’s not too hot.
From there make sure to position yourself over the steam slowly, to again make sure it’s not too hot.
The lid is left on to contain the medicinal properties of the plants, so do your best to keep the lid on until you're ready. If it’s too hot, let it cool with the lid on.
Cover/wrap your lower body with blankets and/or a sheet to contain the steam.
You can open your labia apart with your hand once, and from there get comfy and relax.
Once your comfortable the steam should last about 10 minutes.
If you’d like to use a single plate burner and steam for longer, it’s best to seek a trained practitioner for guidance to make sure you have no contraindications.
Vaginal Steaming FAQ’s
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU STEAM?
When addressing any sort of imbalance or healing process, steam 3 times a month. You can steam either once a week (not counting the week of menstruation), or 3 days before and after your period. The choice is up to you regarding what is most convenient and easeful. If you steam multiple days in a row, herbs can be kept in the fridge in a muslin bag, sealed in a container, and reused once.
If everything with your cycle is just how you want it, once a month is a great practice for maintenance and preventative care.
AFTER STEAMING, WHAT IF YOU HAVE ANY SORT OF ITCHING OR BURNING SENSATION?
You either steamed too long, at too high of a temperature, used too many herbs or you need the herbal blend adjusted.
If you’re are using the disinfecting blend and any discolored malodorous discharge increases this is a good sign of cleansing and the itching is most likely due to the mucus irritating the skin as it exits. If this is the case you can use a peri bottle with plain water to rinse throughout the day to keep the mucus from sitting in the vaginal canal.
If you do not have malodorous and discolored discharge or it’s not increasing, you may need to shift to the cooling blend. The disinfecting blend is drying and you may need more moisturizing properties.
Email Abby with questions if you’re unsure.
CLEANSING SIGNS OF VAGINAL STEAMING
Spotting, often brown or dark.
Increase in discharge that is malodorous, discolored, clumpy, etc.
Cramping.
Your next cycle may have more clots, or the blood may be darker or thicker.
Your next cycle may be shorter or longer.
It’s always best to be tracking your cycle prior to and throughout the practice of steaming to be aware of any changes. (For example, if your cycles become 27 days or less you’ll need to switch to the gentle herbs). Notice the difference in consistency, blood quality, and color, timing, PMS, etcetera.
BENEFITS AND SIDE EFFECTS OF VAGINAL STEAMING
An ideal period happens every 28-30 days, with an average of 4 days of bleeding bright red blood. No clots, no spotting, no dark thick blood, no cramping. Steaming can help regulate your cycle, improve its efficiency, and free you of any pain and discomfort related to it.
Users have reported better sleep, decreased swelling in legs and feet, decreased abdominal bloating, slimmer waistline, increased libido, decrease in breast soreness, fewer headaches, fewer PMS symptoms, increased energy, lucid dreams, tingling feet, and increased lubrication.
However, some undesirable side effects might also occur.
Headaches and aching (not tingling) feet are signs that you are dehydrated or your circulation increased too much too fast. Drink lots of water.
Sometimes the cleansing of clumpy or discolored discharge can feel like an infection. This is a good cleansing sign that old mucus is exiting but it can be uncomfortable. You can use a peri bottle to rinse with water throughout the day to help clear the exiting discharge. Some infections are hot in nature and steaming can aggravate this sensation. You may need the cooling herbs or steaming may not be suited for you at this time.
The herpes virus is hot in nature, steaming may induce an outbreak. For herpes, the cooling herbs will be ideal unless you have short cycles that require the Gentle Blend. For some women steaming prevents outbreaks, while for others the heat is too much.
You may have the urge to urinate while steaming with the urethra being stimulated by the steam. This is normal. Empty your bladder and you are all good!
Cramping is often a sign of old residue loosening up to be cleansed, and the same goes for during your period. You may experience more cramping before symptoms reduce.
If you still have questions…
If you have questions feel free to email Abby, if you are seeking a trained, practicing practitioner, search this trusted directory. Often times practitioners are willing to work virtually, create you a custom blend, and guide you to practice on your own at home. If you have a complex situation, are unsure in any way seek a trained vaginal steaming professional. And lastly, this information is educational - talk with your health care practitioner before practicing.
With love,
Abby
