Herbal Vaginal Steaming with Vervain

Like vaginal steaming, the vervain plant has been used across many different cultures throughout the world for generations.

This perennial plant belongs to the Verbenaceae family, with vervain specifically referring to the types used for medicinal purposes. My family's history runs deep with vervain. It was used as a main herb in vaginal steaming to support the healing of the mother's uterus following childbirth.

(pictured here is a vervain plant found in Belize. It has jagged leaves & silky purple flowers.)

In my Garifuna culture back in the days (up until like the 70s), babies were mostly delivered by midwives. Unlike the bush doctors who were healers of bodily & physiological illnesses, midwives were primarily responsible for childbirth and treating female disorders.

When a mother gave birth, atleast 1 - 3 days following childbirth, a midwife will prescribe for the mother to perform a steam bath using a big chunk of the vervain plant with all of its leaves, stems, and flowers. She will perform this vaginal steam bath atleast 1 -3 times a week for another6 - 8 weeks following childbirth. Six to eight weeks is prescribed as the "healing timeframe" to allow the uterus to strengthen & heal before a mother returns to her normal day-to-day activities which includes caring for a newborn.

The medicinal benefits from the vervain plant helps prevent infection, cleanse the uterus during postpartum, and support the womb to return to its proper position.

Some of vervain's medicinal properties are known to be:

- anti-inflammatory

- anti-bacterial

- analgesic (pain-relieving)

- anti-posmodic (relieves spasms)

- improve lactation

- treat urinary tract infections, and so much more!

Today- vaginal steams has only been recently popularized in the last 20 years in the Western world, but this ritual has been around for years, and is still used today by Indigenous cultures in Central America that practices ancient tradition.

Not only were vaginal steams performed after childbirth to help heal the uterus, vaginal steams were also performed to cleanse the uterus to unblock any uterine congestion that can be caused from blood build-up in the womb from the menstrual cycle, help unblock the fallopian tubes, treat irregular menstrual cycles, and (my favorite) help support with shrinking and dissolving fibroid polyps in the uterus.

Performing a Vaginal Steam

To perform a vaginal steam, I highly recommend investing in a vaginal steaming machine where you can adjust the heat settings of the steam.

*Do not perform a vaginal steam if your vajayjay or lower part of your abdomen is in a post-operative state, if you have any bladder or cervical infection, or if your uterus is inflamed and/or has been exposed to any irritation or open wounds. It's unsafe to expose steam to these sensitive areas.

*Do not perform vaginal steaming during menstruation, or while pregnant.

Vaginal steaming using a steaming machine:

1. Combine steam with herbs. In your vaginal steaming machine, combine a tea-bag size of herbs with 1/4 cup water in the steamer and turn on your steamer to the recommended settings. Squat over your steamer while being covered with a sheet to close in the steam for 30 - 45 minutes.

Vaginal steaming the traditional way, using a bucket:

1. If you are using dried herbs, used about a 1/4 cup, and for fresh herbs, use about a liter of herbs. Add herbs to the pot of boiling water, and boil for about 15 minutes.
   

2. Let pot with herbs cool for a bit and then pour in a bucket. When the steam with herbs have simmered to a temperature that is bearable, sit on the bucket and steam for 20 - 30 minutes while being covered with a sheet.

For vaginal steaming following childbirth, the #vervain plant is recommended. For monthly vaginal steaming performed on a weekly basis and before menstruation, it's okay to use other herbs like marigold, basil, lavender, sage, calendula, roses, or any other herbs to your liking- combined.

Following a painful surgery I had for removing uterine fibroids 4 years ago, I decided to return to vaginal steaming to return my womb to health. This experience has been a beautiful gift of healing that our ancestors left us, and that will forever be part of my herbal journey.

Namaste. #herbs #womanshealth #wombhealth #vervain