Yoni steaming: Nurturing self-care for the Vagina

Yoni steaming has gained popularity over the last few years as a beautiful self-care practice to nourish and detoxify the female reproductive organs. It has been practiced for hundreds of years in places like India, Africa, Greece, and Japan. With many herbs to choose from and many ways to perform yoni steam, it is a perfect self-care practice to do at home for reproductive health. In this blog, I will share some of my favorite herbs, different ways to do a yoni steam at home, and contradictions to performing a yoni steam. 

What is Yoni Steaming?

Also known as Vaginal Steaming or yoni swedana in Ayurveda, Yoni steaming is a self-care practice that cleanses, strengthens, and rejuvenates the vaginal tissues. Reproductive supporting herbs are steeped in boiling water and placed between the legs (a comfortable distance from the vulva to avoid burning), allowing the herb-infused steam to penetrate the vulva and vagina. 

What are the reproductive health benefits?

The benefits of yoni steaming depend on the herbs chosen for each steam. This means you can customize your treatment by choosing herbs that promote the specific benefits you're looking for. Some of the benefits of yoni steaming are:

• Cycle regulation

• Relief from PMS symptoms, cramps, bloating, itching, pain & fatigue

• Reduced vaginal dryness, pain from intercourse & irritation

• Restore hormonal balance and promote fertility

• Relieve menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats

• Aids the healing of uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, & endometriosis

• Aids in PH balance and reduces infections 

• Reduce tension, stress, insomnia

What herbs can be used?

I am all about seeking local resources first, and Michigan has many plants used for Yoni Steaming. I'm starting with a list of plants I find around Kalamazoo, Michigan. 

• Motherwort - Regulates cycles, eases anxiety, is anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-oxidative, and reduces cramps.

• Lavender - calms tension & stress, ease headache, relieve pain, promote sleep, is a uterine tonic, is anti-inflammatory and helps fight infections.

• Yarrow - Reduces inflammation and is a uterine tonic.

• Basil - Is antibacterial, aids cramping, and is calming and relaxing.

• Rose - Is antibacterial, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, hydrates the tissues, reduces hot flashes, soothes and cleanses tissues, and reduces heavy flow, irregular flow, and dryness.

• Lemon Balm - Relieves tension and stress, is anti-viral and regulates hormones.

Some nonlocal plants that can be used are:

• Aloe - Reduces heavy flow and clots, clears the menstrual channels, is anti-inflammatory, cooling, and soothing to the tissues, and aids PMS, endometriosis, cramps, and stagnation.

• Shatavari - Strengthens reproductive organs, reduces vaginal dryness, regulates cycle, and reduces cramping and menopause symptoms like hot flashes and irritability. 

• Mugwort - Calms the nerves, relieves cramps, reduces fluid retention, relieves bloating, balances hormones, is antibacterial and antifungal, stimulates menstruation, and regulates the cycle.

• Rosemary - Boosts circulation to the tissues and eliminates stagnant blood & fluids, and is antiseptic and antifungal. 

• Calendula - Heals skin ailments and wounds (postpartum healing), repairs cells, reduces pain and is anti-inflammatory. 

Supplies and process to perform a Yoni Steam:

You'll need a few things to perform a Yoni steam at home including:

• The herbs of your choice

• A pot with a lid to boil the herbs

• A large bowl for steaming

• A comfortable way to hover your vulva over the bowl of steaming herbs (I'll give some suggestions below) 

• A towel, blanket, or dress to cover and trap steam

• Water 

First, you're going to boil 2-4 cups of water and pour it over 2-4 tbsp of your preferred herbs. While the water is boiling, you can set up your space. The space can include incents, candles, crystals, music, handwork, or a book to create a relaxing atmosphere. 

You'll also need to decide how you'd like to steam. The recommended practice is to have a Yoni seat or a sitz bath seat for comfort and ease of use. A Yoni seat can be built or purchased. A sitz bath can be purchased and placed right in the toilet bowl. If you're ready to try it and don't have either of these, you can simply use a bowl of your choice (not plastic) and squat over the bowl or place two pillows, one on each side, and rest your knees on them and hover over the bowl. You want to make sure you'll be comfortable, it's recommended to steam for 15 to 30 minutes (you should not go over 45 minutes). 

After setting up your space and boiling the water, add your herbs to the bowl/sitz bath and pour the hot water over them. Set the bowl in your preferred space, and hold your hand over it to make sure it's not too hot. Undress the lower half of your body (or wear a dress) and sit or hover over the bowl. Use a towel or blanket to help trap the steam and enjoy! Read a book, journal, or meditate! You can perform a yoni steam 1 to 3 times a month during the Luteal phase (before menstruation) to aid in any discomfort or when feeling stressed to relax and nurture yourself. 

Make sure to clean your equipment well when finished and store it in a safe place for next time. 

Do not perform a Yoni steam if:

• You're pregnant

• Have an IUD or genital piercing 

• Are menstruating 

• Are immediately postpartum 

• Have an open wound, sore, or infection (consult a doctor first)