Yoni Steaming

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Yoni Steaming

August 19, 2024

What is Yoni Steaming?

Yoni steaming is an ancient female health and reproductive practice of sitting or squatting over a pot of boiling water infused with beneficial herbs allowing the steam to permeate the vagina, vulva, and womb. The practice is done just before and after menstruation and giving birth to balance, heal, and cleanse the yoni. The encyclopedia definition of the word “yoni” is from the Sanskrit word with multiple meanings involving the whole of the womb, vulva, and vagina. It also means the source, origin, home, and place of birth. Yoni steaming is also referred to as vaginal steaming or  Vsteaming in Western cultures. Historically it was a common practice among women in Africa, Asia, and Central America. Steaming is a practice known to be cleansing and has health benefits found in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Ayurveda, and acupuncture. 

Is Yoni Steaming Recommended?

In the United States today, it is not a common practice and comes across as woo-woo to many women. A few articles online do not recommend yoni steaming and the Cleveland Clinic is one of them where Dr. Crawford states “The vagina is a self-cleansing organ, so the use of steaming, douching or other cleansing agents is not necessary or recommended as it disrupts the natural bacterial balance,” (Cleveland Clinic). While I agree it is a self-cleansing organ, I don’t agree that steaming can’t be used to support the yoni when done safely using clean products. In the West, the practice of health is very reactive and not proactive. I believe this is reflected in our reproductive health. According to Scientific American, “the total fertility rate worldwide has dropped by nearly 1 percent per year from 1960 to 2018”(Swan and Colino). This is very alarming and it is important to be taking simple measures like steaming to promote good reproductive health. Whether yoni steaming is recommended or not, this ancient health practice has been tried and true by thousands of women worldwide throughout generations. 

How to Yoni Steam?

Before steaming, you should always start by cleaning the bowl you will use to steam. I recommend using a stainless steel bowl or glass bowl so that toxins aren’t leached through the bowl into the steam. There are many plastic sitz baths or yoni steaming stool kits online but plastic is known to breed bacteria and leach toxins. Using a simple steel or glass bowl is a less toxic route. Boil a large pot of 4 or more cups of filtered water and pour it into your sterilized bowl. Add 1/4 – 1/3c of organic reproductive supporting herbs to the water. We will talk more about that later. Place your bowl where you would like to steam. If you have a wood steaming stool, place it over the bowl. To prevent burning, check the temperature of the steam with your hand. Undress from the waist down and sit or squat above the prepared steaming bowl. You can leave your socks on for additional warmth if desired. You can also wrap your lower body in a blanket to trap the rising steam around your yoni. Steam for up to 20 minutes. When finished, strain the herbs and add them to your compost(if available). Wash and dry your steaming bowl. Steaming can be done 1-3 times before and after menstruation. This makes for a cozy and warm monthly yoni steaming ritual.

Benefits of Steaming

  1. Balance.

Steaming helps regulate menstruation and balance hormone levels. It also can ease cramps, reduce heavy menstrual flow, reduce anxiety, and improve fertility. 

  1. Heal.

Taking time to steam can have a healing effect on reproductive ailments like infertility. Steaming is also well known to aid in the healing process after giving birth. It can be done after day four postpartum to increase blood flow and reduce inflammation. 

  1. Cleanse.

Steaming can cleanse the yoni by detoxing the womb and vagina, removing stagnation, and helping balance hormone levels. 

  1. Support.

After menstruation or giving birth steaming helps support the womb by boosting blood flow, detoxing, toning the reproductive system, and balancing hormones. 

Supportive Herbs for Yoni Steaming

The herbs used for steaming are important in terms of quality and type. Herbs should be organic or wild-sourced from a non-polluted/herbicide-sprayed area. The type of herbs is dependent on personal needs and the properties of the herbs. Different blends can easily be made at home or purchased online. Here is a list of Yoni Steaming herbs that can be used as a single or in combination:

  • Basil (cleansing, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, & hormone balancing)
  • Calendula (healing properties, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, & promotes circulation)
  • Chamomile (anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, hormone balancing, & soothes cramps)
  • Dandelion Leaf (anti-inflammatory, hormone balancing, relieves stress, diuretic)
  • Lavender (anti-microbial, soothing, & relaxation of vaginal tissues)
  • Marshmallow Root (anti-inflammatory, diuretic, & support urinary health)
  • Motherwort (cleansing, tonic, pain-relieving, supports urinary health, eases stress, enhances fertility, aids in postpartum healing)
  • Mugwort (all-purpose for maintaining a healthy cycle – balance hormones, stimulate the production of hormones, maintain the uterine lining, improve blood flow, & ease cramps)
  • Oregano (antiseptic, & womb cleansing)
  • Raspberry Leaf (reduces cramps, regulates periods, hormone balancing, aids in 3rd trimester uterus toning, smoothing labor & delivery)
  • Rose (anti-inflammatory, astringent, antibacterial, aromatically soothing, & emotional healing)
  • Rosemary (anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, healing antioxidants, & promotes circulation – vital for healing and maintaining a healthy urinary lining)
  • Thyme (anti-bacterial, anti-microbial)
  • Yarrow (soothing, hormone balancing, emotional healing, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, antiseptic, & astringent)

Other Notes on Steaming

There are times when you should refrain from yoni steaming. If you are menstruating, think you are pregnant, are pregnant, after ovulation if you’re trying to get pregnant, the first three days after giving birth, have an IUD or other birth control device, have a vaginal infection, or have an open wound you should refrain from steaming. 

Conclusion & Other Resources

The monthly ritual of yoni steaming allows for the honoring and connecting with the feminine reproductive cycle. This is an ancestral practice that has been lost in the modern day. When taking the time to steam, a woman intentionally holds space for new energy to be received and for the old to be released. She is taking her health into her own hands. Most importantly, she is creating time to listen to her body and be in tune with her intuition.

Citations

Swan, Shanna H., and Stacey Colino. “Https://Www.Scientificamerican.Com/Article/Reproductive-Problems-in-Both-Men-and-Women-Are-Rising-at-an-Alarming-Rate/#:~:text=On%20the%20female%20side%20of,Year%20from%201960%20to%202018.” Scientific American, 16 Mar. 2021, www.scientificamerican.com/article/reproductive-problems-in-both-men-and-women-are-rising-at-an-alarming-rate/#:~:text=On%20the%20female%20side%20of,year%20from%201960%20to%202018. 

“What Is Vaginal Steaming?” Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, 27 June 2024, health.clevelandclinic.org/vaginal-steaming.