Honoring Your Womb with Yoni Steams

Yoni steaming has been part of my monthly ritual for years now. I usually do it on a full moon unless my period of the moon is going around that time. I had my first experience with this good, hysterectomy years ago when I was closing some chapters in my partner’s world. After the end of a tumultuous relationship of 5 years, I deliberately made an effort through kundalini and smoking to clear my auric field. Working with the wonderful Dawn Cartwright, and practicing my own yoni, I realized how our womb spaces should be cleared and sanctified. I am so grateful that Kristin Dahl wrote another episode for us along with this one on yoni steaming. Please always research when doing this because the steam can burn you if you are not careful. And please use natural remedies like these from the general store.

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Yoni steaming, also known as vaginal steaming or iv-steam, is a sacred self-care practice that has been used by women for centuries to heal and tone the female genitalia. By applying gentle heat and moisture, the herbal steam penetrates the external genitalia and carries the medicinal plant properties to the tissues, increasing blood circulation. Herbal medicines are drawn into the bloodstream and distributed throughout the reproductive system where they help promote healing.

This powerful ritual helps nourish the female genitalia while healing and restoring sacred femininity. Smoking helps improve the erection and cleans old deposits from the vaginal canal and uterine cavity. If the blood from the previous menstrual cycle is not removed properly, the body identifies it as foreign matter. This activates the abdominal muscles to try to push it out of the body. This action of muscle contraction often causes painful cramps. Steaming the female genitalia helps the body by cleansing and improves blood circulation, which improves the body’s healing processes. On an emotional level, smoking works to connect with femininity and is a powerful act of self-love.

For most women, this is a self-care routine that can be done 1-2 x a month (although not during your period or ovulation) unless there are serious problems you are working to treat, such as infertility and hormonal imbalances. In these cases, and after giving birth, It is best to work or contact a doctor for support or work with your midwife or doula. There are many (Korean) spas that offer v-steam that can prepare a unique combination for your specific needs and body. Many offer a combination of v-steam and womb massage, which when combined, work to clear up swelling and stimulate circulation in the area.

Benefits of Yoni Steaming

There are several benefits to the sacred practice of yoni steaming, ranging from emotional and spiritual healing to physical cleansing. Different women shave for different reasons. It is important that you know what you are doing, what herbs you are using and why, and not to overeat. The frequency of yoni breathing practices varies from woman to woman; pay attention to your body’s signals and find a pattern that works for you.

Measuring Menstruation

A healthy period is usually 3-4 days of bright red blood flow without clots.
Drinking steam on the genitals 1 time a week before menstruation and 1 week after menstruation can help relieve menstrual pain and reduce brown blood, thus balancing menstrual issues.

To Increase Fertility
The importance of proper blood circulation and complete clearance of each menstrual cycle is very important for achieving optimal fertility. If there are formations of the past period, tissues, cysts, etc., then there is a chance that the fertilized egg cannot complete the implantation process. Yoni-steaming supports proper blood flow in the pelvic area and therefore helps prepare the uterus for pregnancy.
*Don’t drink if you are pregnant or if you think you might be!

Postpartum Therapy
Yoni steaming has been used as a postpartum ritual for women around the world. This is often done under the care and advice of a midwife to promote healing from birth and support postpartum recovery. In addition to soft tissue therapy, a new mother benefits from emotional and spiritual healing as she lovingly cares for her womb that has just brought a beautiful new life into the world.

Benefits and uses of yoni steaming:

• Heals and tones the muscles of the female genital organ
• Regulates the menstrual cycle and flow – such as decreased flow or the return of an absent cycle; it can also help to remove blood clots
• Reduces symptoms of constipation, bloating, and pain during menstruation *if done before menstruation, it helps to reduce the severity of symptoms
• Increase interest
• Helps to clear uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, and endometriosis
• Helpful for pelvic pain, pain during sex, vaginal dryness, or constipation
• Trauma and emotional healing + reconnecting with femininity
• Postpartum healing, miscarriage or abortion healing
• Helps in the treatment of hemorrhoids
• Supports complete premenstrual cycles
• Helps relieve dryness of the female genitalia during menstruation

Precautions / Contraindications

• Do not travel if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant; talk to a doctor
• Do not smoke during your period
• Do not travel if you have an IUD
• Do not smoke if you are overheated due to fever, heat or night sweats
• Do not use essential oils, which are too harsh on the genitals. stick with dried or fresh herbs.
• Do not travel if you have any kind of internal or external disease
• Talk to the midwife about postnatal warming
• Talk to an herbalist or holistic doctor if you are working to treat severe hormonal problems or infertility.

Remedies for use

Perhaps the most important consideration for yoni steaming is the herbs you choose to use.
You can find many brands and companies that have pre-packaged herbal blends specifically for yoni steaming or you can buy your herbs from mountain rose herbs and make your own blend.

Helpful herbs include: lavender, rose, chamomile, motherwort, and calendula.
Nutritious herbs include: Red Raspberry Leaf & Nettles

Create a balanced combination with the above herbs and use 1 cup each time you steam.
The above remedies are common and safe for yoni steaming and are a great way to start.
If you are facing some problems, it is better to consult a doctor.

The most powerful herbs include Juniper, Mugwort, Sage, Peppermint, Shatavari, Neem, Pau D’arco, and Yarrow. Many of these herbs work to stimulate menstruation, reduce cramping, fight infection, clear scars, tone and strengthen the female genitalia.

*These herbs are very powerful and work specifically for hormonal disorders and imbalances, it is helpful to work with a doctor or midwife for specific guidance or to order a custom blend.

How to cook

Turn on some soft music, burn some copal, palo santo, or incense, and pick up a book –
and anything else you’d like to add to make your experience more enjoyable.

Ideally, you have a hot seat (available at hot chick, etsy, amazon). Alternatively, an incredibly clean bathroom will do or a place where you can grind your herbs without burning them. *be very careful not to touch the pot with your body.

It is usually best to soak the herbs on the stove in 1 pot and transfer them to another (cooler pot) to heat.

Start by boiling about 3 liters of filtered water. Once boiled, add 1 cup of dried herbs, reduce heat, cover and simmer for about 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the mixture cool for 5 minutes. From there, you can transfer the herbs to a cool pot, place under your steam chair (or your very clean toilet) and strip from the waist down.

Sit in your chair or on the toilet over the steam for 15-30 minutes. The steam should not feel too hot or aggressive. If so, wait another 5 minutes and try again. Use a towel to cover them and lock in the steam. Use this time to meditate, read, or whatever feels right. When you’re done, discard the water and herbs from the garden or add to your compost.

Additions to steam

Increasing blood flow and circulation throughout the body supports balanced hormones, fertility, and well-being. Integrate the following habits into your daily, weekly, and monthly routine.

Exercise increases blood flow throughout the body which increases blood circulation, stimulates lymphatic flow and removes inflammation. It really is the fastest way to achieve good physical and mental health. Anything that increases your heart rate will pump more blood to your uterus as well, such as walking, dancing, hiking, swimming, yoga, running, and resistance training. Long walks are a useful and easy way to get rid of obesity. Find a job that you love and that you can do regularly. Any kind of movement, no matter how small it may seem, is better than no movement at all.

Hydration If we are not properly hydrated, our blood will lack the water it needs to function properly. Drink half your body weight (in pounds) in ounces of water every day. Remember that alcohol and caffeine are diuretics, which remove fluid from your body. So, for every drink or cup, use an extra glass of water to make up for what’s lost.

Drink female supportive herbal infusions or combinations throughout the month Herbs such as red raspberry leaf, nettle leaf, oat straw (with milky oat top), and rose all support the female system (helpful throughout the month) + burdock, dandelion support liver cleansing (especially helpful 1 week before your menstrual cycle).

Deep Breathing When our stress levels are low, the body can focus on its other functions, which are sometimes put on the backburner as our bodies deal with the heavy stresses of daily life in a fast-paced society. Take 5-10 minutes a day to respect yourself and focus on deep breathing.

Womb Massage Massaging the womb area is especially helpful for those with hormonal imbalances or those trying to conceive. It can help regulate the menstrual cycle, support reproductive health, and increase fertility. Create a massage oil with your favorite essential oils + a base of almond and apricot oils. Cleanse the uterine area for about 15 minutes on days when you do not ovulate or have a period. Send yourself loving and healing thoughts during this nurturing practice.

Photo by Kristin Dahl

Tags:herbs, yoni, yoni health, yoni steaming