• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Natural Fertility and Wellness

Trying to get pregnant? Learn how to prepare your body and overcome infertility.

  • Start Here
  • Fertility Help
  • Recipes
  • Books
  • Start Here
  • Fertility Help
  • Recipes
  • Books
  • Contact Donielle
  • About Donielle
  • Privacy Policy
Home » What is a vaginal steam? (and why YOU should consider doing one)

What is a vaginal steam? (and why YOU should consider doing one)

March 4, 2015 //  by Jessica

FacebookTweetPinYummlyEmail

Alright friends, since we are going to be talking about vaginal steaming today I figured it is okay to call y’all friends since I wouldn’t talk about this to just anyone. So sit back and hear me out before you rule anything out by just hearing the words ‘vaginal steaming’.

woman asking what is a vaginal steam

(And to make it official, I am not a doctor, you should make sure to do your own research before attempting a vaginal steam. This should not be done while pregnant or nursing.)

What is now becoming a new, popular tread, vaginal steaming is actually an age-old tradition meant to cleanse and detox the uterus.

So, let’s get the facts straight.

What is a vaginal steam?

A vaginal steam is basically a steam ‘facial’ only it is for your vagina and uterus. (See? Aren’t you glad I said ‘friends’ because we are talking about personal stuff here!)

What makes the vaginal steam beneficial is what is used in the steam. Typically herbs are chosen that can help increase circulation to the uterus or to aid in cleansing.

Stagnation is not a good thing when it comes to any organ system, but when it comes to the uterus it can cause a myriad of issues with menstruation and fertility.

Herbs can be picked for the individual to help with specific issues and health conditions. Some herbs that are typically used are oregano, motherwort, mugwort or rosemary. (all available at Mountain Rose Herbs)

what is a vaginal steam?

How does this work?

When doing a vaginal steam, you are basically making a ‘tea’ out of herbs and allowing the herbal steam to travel to your vagina and uterus. This sounds kind of hooky, but really the tissues of the vaginal area are very porous and absorb things quite easily.

The steam carries the volatile oils from the herbs to the tissues where it is absorbed into the body. (Our bodies are so amazing!)

The herbs can help improve circulation and blood flow to the area. The vaginal steams are also said to thin mucus and help the uterus detox and cleanse.

In the past, these steams were used to help with irregular periods, fertility issues, and even anxiety. The idea being that the herbal steam goes right where it is needed to aid the reproductive area.

How do you do a vaginal steam?

The hardest part about doing a vaginal steam, in my opinion, is finding some quiet time to do it. (You do not want people banging on the bathroom door when you are trying to relax!)

You need to decide what herbs you would like to use and make a big pot of “tea”.

1 cup of herbs*
2 quarts of water

You’ll also need a chair or stool with either slats or a hole in the middle (available on Amazon), a couple of chairs next to each other (a cheek on each!), or a clean toilet (turn off the water and flush so it empties the bowl).

  • Bring the water to a boil and let settle for few minutes, add the herbs and stir.
  • You will then want to find a quiet place, which I recommend setting up BEFORE you get your steam ready, to set the basin of water that you will be able to sit over. (If you use a basin that fits into the bottom of your clean toilet, this works well)
  • Once you get the steam ready, sit above it making sure the steam is not too hot. You do not want to burn the area, the vaginal tissue is sensitive.
  • Wrap blankets around your waist to keep the steam trapped in.
  • Typically steams last 20-40 minutes. This is a good time to read, journal, or pray to pass the time.

Once you are done it is a good idea to lay down for a while to allow your body to relax and the herbs to do their work. (This is good to do before bed because then you can just go to sleep and stay resting)

*What herbs do I use?

While it really is something that personal and should be picked on what issues you are trying to work on, these are a few that I found to be beneficial.

  • Rosemary – has been used to help fight infection (steaming should not be done during an active infection)
  • Yarrow – an herb used for cleansing and toning
  • Motherwort – a long-standing herb used for woman’s issues can help with toning the uterus as well as used for anxiety brought on by your period
  • Calendula – a mild, soothing herb that can be beneficial for scarring
  • Lavender – a typically relaxing herb which also has antibacterial properties

You can also find blends of herbs for a vaginal (or yoni) steam available on Amazon as well as Etsy and many other herbal sites.

When should you do a vaginal steam?

From what I read there really is no set time to do a steam. Traditionally, a safe time to do it is right after your period and before ovulation, this allows any lingering tissue and cells to be cleansed before ovulation.

Some say if you have a lot of menstruation issues that the week before your period is a good time.

I have also read that if you are struggling with fertility to do it right before ovulation.

However, if pregnancy is suspected, do not do a vaginal steam.

A long-standing tradition, vaginal steaming does seem to have its place in the world of herbal remedies. I know that isn’t the most fun thing to talk about, but knowing how herbs work, this practice seems like a great therapy to aid in uterine and vaginal health.

If you are comfortable sharing, I would love to hear from you, what benefits have you seen from doing vaginal steams? 

Read more:

Yup, I’m gonna talk about vaginal steam baths by Stephanie Brandt Cornais

Should you steam your vagina? by Nicole Jardim

Traditional Vaginal Steam for Healthy Fertility by Dalene Barton-Schuster

Some links (including Amazon.com links) in our posts might be affiliate links. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I may earn an affiliate marketing commission if you make a purchase.

Some links (including Amazon.com links) in our posts might be affiliate links. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I may earn an affiliate marketing commission if you make a purchase.

  • Bio
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • *Disclaimer
Jessica

Jessica

Jessica loves to learn and share about natural living, from whole foods to herbal remedies. With a desire to take care of her family through natural means, she has spent a lot of time researching and experimenting to find what fits best in her lifestyle. Struggling with her health for a few years after a miscarriage she tested positive for Hashimoto's and is currently working on healing through diet and natural supplements. Jessica started her blog Simply Healthy Home to share her family's journey to being healthy and happy.
Jessica

@SimplyHealthyJY

Follow @SimplyHealthyJY
Jessica
Jessica
Many of the links on this site are affiliate links, which mean that the owner of the site may earn a small commission from your purchase through the company. We will not recommend a company that we do not purchase from ourselves and we thank you for your support. No contributor or author on this site is a medical doctor and the statements made here have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. These statements are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure or prevent any disease. This notice is required by the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Read our privacy policy and full disclosure here.
FacebookTweetPinYummlyEmail

Category: Fertility Diet, Foundation PostsTag: fertility herbs

You may also be interested in these posts from the same category.
salmon sample fertility diet menu

Sample fertility diet menu by Liz Schau

pregnant woman in photo - increase fertility

Four dietary changes that will increase fertility

superfoods for boosting fertility

Super foods for fertility

food for a fertility diet

Fertility Diet, the best way to eat when you’re trying to get pregnant

hand holding vitamin a supplements

Vitamin A and Fertility

is milk good for fertility

Is milk good for fertility?

MSG and fertility

MSG and fertility

fertility foods checklist

Free Fertility Foods Checklist

How gluten and infertility are connected

Could bread be the cause of your infertility?

food tips for natural hormone balance

Eating for natural hormone balance

10 simple ways to clean up your diet

10 Simple ways to clean up your diet

maca for fertility and hormone balance

Maca for hormone balance

Previous Post: «keeping a food log What keeping a food log will tell you
Next Post: Homemade spaghetti sauce My favorite homemade spaghetti sauce - this one definitely rocks!»

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. jody

    March 8, 2015 at 9:27 pm

    I spotted in between ovulation and my period for years. Are there any herbs that you would recommend for that?

    • Donielle Baker

      March 18, 2015 at 3:50 pm

      Spotting during that phase is often linked to low progesterone, so using herbs that help that issue might be beneficial. Though most knowledge I have in that area is for herbs to be consumed, I don’t know their direct effects from an herbal steam.

  2. Parse

    February 9, 2016 at 8:59 am

    Is it hurt… When you do the V steam?

  3. Em

    February 25, 2016 at 12:27 am

    I did a few of these after my last baby. I loved it! I felt fresh and relaxed. Great article.

  4. Felicia

    February 29, 2016 at 3:06 pm

    How often should I v steam? Haven’t done yet have all herbs and my chair on order.

    • Donielle Baker

      March 2, 2016 at 1:43 pm

      I’ve read that once a week is normally sufficient.

  5. ghazala

    April 20, 2016 at 12:57 am

    Hi, I have been trying to conceive(my 1st) from one n half year but still no luck.. got HSG test done n it shows I have a fiboroid in my uterus.. will it be ok for me to do this v steam…? Im so worried.

  6. Suhida

    November 14, 2016 at 3:52 pm

    Hi, in Malaysia we called it ‘bertangas’. Usually women in confinement will do v steam to stabilize the hormone and to heal the womb after pregnancy. We use lots of herbs and you’ll be suprise mostly women in Malaysia/Indonesia do this treatment frequently. ‘Bertangas’ also helps loose weight.

    • Donielle Baker

      November 17, 2016 at 2:35 pm

      Thanks so much for sharing!

  7. Cynthia

    November 18, 2016 at 3:07 pm

    Can co steam vagina with garlic or onions

Primary Sidebar

Can I help you find something?

  • Contact Donielle
  • About Donielle
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Mai Lifestyle Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

Email sent!