Yoni Steam: Benefits & How To Guide

In this guide, I will give you information about an old traditional healing and wellness treatment: the vaginal steam bath or yoni steaming, vaginal steaming and pelvic steaming. The term pelvic steaming makes it clear that the steam bath or steam in the genital area is not exclusively beneficial for women, for the vagina or uterus, but for all genders.

Table of contents:

For us midwives, the vaginal steam bath with herbs is a well-known and proven method of practical birth preparation that many pregnant women practice in the last 4-5 weeks before their due date. In recent years, it has been used more and more for other indications.

What is yoni steaming?

Yoni steaming is a process in which the pelvis and especially the genitals are heated with warm steam over a pot of hot water or herbal decoction, similar to a steam bath for the head when you have a cold. So that you can do this in a relaxed manner and don't accidentally injure yourself by touching the hot brew, you shouldn't just squat, but can place the pot in a toilet or bidet and sit over it if necessary. Of course, a special piece of furniture (yoni steam stool or box or similar) is much nicer and more sensual.

Areas of application

First of all, Yoni Steaming and Pelvic Steaming are used to relax and stimulate pleasure and sexuality, especially when the pelvis feels tight and tense. The effect of the intense heat is extremely beneficial and promotes blood circulation and relaxation of the muscles and the energy can be brought back into flow through the steam.

If the right herbs are added, the therapeutic effect is enhanced. The warm herbal steam allows the natural active ingredients of herbs, medicinal plants and flowers to enter the bloodstream via the mucous membranes. From there, they reach the pelvic floor and the uterus and bring about healing.

Other properties and effects:

• Leads to emotional balance in cases of hormonal imbalance
• Improves the menstrual cycle if the cycle is too long or too short, bleeding is too heavy or too light, pain and cramps
• Reduction of fatigue, bloating and pain before and during menstruation
• Loosens and relaxes the pelvic floor muscles
• Relieves discomfort during ovulation (ovulation pain) as well as PMS (premenstrual syndrome)
• Relief from symptoms of the menopause
• Increases fertility, helpful in cases of unfulfilled desire to have children
• For birth preparation/preparation for the perineal massage
• For relaxation at the beginning of the birth
• Supports the healing process after birth
• For the treatment of birth injuries or scars with FMS dilators
  
• For infections
• For cysts / fibromas
• Has a positive effect on the healing of sexual trauma
• Purifies and cleanses, pleasant consistency of the vaginal secretion
• Against vaginal dryness
• In preparation for self-treatment of vaginismus with FMS dilators
  
• Easier insertion and removal of Viball Kegel Balls (certified medical devices for pelvic floor weakness and incontinence).

General effects:

• Restful sleep
• Increased libido
• Increased blood flow to the entire pelvic area
• Regeneration and deep relaxation.

How does Yoni or Pelvic Steaming work

Yoni steaming for women is said to have numerous positive effects on the menstrual cycle, fertility and menstrual health. It is traditionally used to cleanse, strengthen, heal and detoxify the vagina and uterus. It is definitely recommended in the context of the female cycle before and after periods, before and after a gynecological examination and before sex, regardless of practices.

In general, it can help to improve sensuality and body awareness and make sexuality more pleasurable and enjoyable. Many women also report a feeling of freshness and purity as well as a tightening of their vagina/yoni.

The warm steam promotes blood circulation and detoxification and the essential oils contained in the herbs can enter the bloodstream via the mucous membrane. This allows them to act on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina and vulva, among other things.

The point is not that the uterus or the female organs cannot cleanse themselves - they can and do cleanse themselves! - but rather to provide support through warmth and the power of medicinal plants, as well as conscious awareness of the female genitals.

Steaming also has an effect on the testicles, sperm and fertility in men - for more information see below: "Pelvic Steaming".

Herbs enhance the effect

Depending on the reasons for yoni steaming and the desired goal, a decoction of herbs can be used. A therapist should be consulted for special indications.

• Rosemary: calms the nerves
• Thyme: has antibacterial and antispasmodic properties
• Calendula: has an anti-inflammatory and comforting effect
• Lavender: relaxes, has an antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal effect
• Wormwood: promotes blood circulation
• Blackberry leaves: anti-inflammatory, strengthening and toning
• Mugwort: promotes blood circulation, has an antibacterial and toning effect, ideal for menstrual cramps
• Rose: inhibits inflammation, has a calming and wound-healing effect
• Horsetail: good for inflammation, has a detoxifying and restorative effect
• Red clover: inhibits inflammation, has a hormone-balancing effect
• Lady's mantle: Against itching and unpleasant discharge, has a clarifying effect

As a rule, the brew for the steam is prepared like a tea: pour about a handful of dried herbs into a container and pour about 2 liters of boiling water over them. Then cover and leave to infuse for 10 - 15 minutes. When using roots, it is advisable to boil them.

Increased discharge may occur as a result of the semen, as well as the discharge of old blood and blood clots. These are good signs of purification and cleansing.

Application and implementation

Yoni steaming is very simple: you need a pot of hot water or herbal brew over which you squat with your naked vulva. Make sure that the steam is not too hot (hold your hand or face over it first) and that the rest of your body is not too cold. As squatting is not necessarily comfortable and close contact with very hot liquid is not without danger, you should choose a suitable seat. As mentioned at the beginning, you can simply place the pot with the brew in the toilet or in a bidet and sit on the toilet seat. But there is a nicer way:

Suitable furniture

It is much nicer to have a suitable stool for this. If yoni steaming becomes a regular practice for you, this purchase is worthwhile. There are various models on the market.

The V-Stool design stool is ideal for this and also offers many other functions:

Especially when it comes to healing, raising awareness of my female womb space and ritualized steaming, beautiful accessories enhance the effect because they celebrate the act and give it more weight.

The right clothing

Warm socks and a blanket for the pelvis and legs are a must. Wearing a long wide skirt enhances the feminine feeling and emphasizes the ritual character of steaming and is very comfortable. The most important thing is that you are warm and comfortable.

Frequency and duration of use

At the beginning of the practice, the frequency should not exceed once a week and should not last longer than ten minutes. The duration can be increased up to half an hour. The condition is that the temperature is suitable, i.e. that it does not become too cool. To avoid this, it is also possible to place a heating or warming plate under the pot so that a constant temperature is achieved. More frequent use can kill good bacteria or damage the mucous membrane. Trust your well-being when it comes to the frequency and duration of use, it will not deceive you.

Mental attitude

Direct your attention specifically to your vagina/yoni and feel into your womb area. Guide your breath into your pelvis, meditate, sound, do gentle pelvic floor exercises, visualize healing.

Also for men: Pelvic Steaming

Steaming - in this case pelvic steaming - is also recommended for men. For various issues such as a tense pelvic floor, premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, etc., steam baths are a good support and strengthening. The relaxing effect and metabolic stimulation alone lead to more harmony and balance in the male pelvic area. As male fertility also depends on stress levels, soothing warming generally supports the formation of sperm and the improvement of semen quality and fertility. However, the testicles must not be exposed to excessive heat for long periods of time.

When to avoid yoni steaming?

There are situations in which women should consult a therapist, doctor or midwife:

• For fertility treatment with IVF or IUI
• during your period or other bleeding
• for vulvar varices
• During pregnancy
• For fungal infections
• For infections with a burning sensation, especially herpes
• After a tubal sterilization
• When wearing a hormone implant
• If you wear a spiral (Essure)
• After endometrial ablation (sclerotherapy of the uterine mucosa)
• For colds and fever.

Criticism - you decide!

Of course, steam and herbs only reach the internal organs to a limited extent, but well-being is an essential component. Critics who measure the effect of yoni steaming exclusively in terms of the demonstrably physical-chemical, i.e. purely material aspect, underestimate - as is often the case in many other areas of healing treatments - the elementary effect of well-being, pleasure and awareness on all types of healing processes.

Make your own experiences with yoni steaming and trust your intuition, because it knows best what is good for you, better than any outsider.