Yes! See the ‘Get creative without a sauna’ for some recommendations or sign up to watch my “How To Vaginal Steam at Home” video to learn some simple steaming methods at home.

Yes. If you put the loose leaf herbs into a tea ball or a muslin herb pouch you can remove them from the hot water with a spoon, after they have steeped for 10 minutes, and store them in the fridge for steaming the next day.  I find that 2 uses is all you will get from the herbs before they start to loose their potency.

1-3 tablespoons per session depending on what herbal blend you are using and also what your practitioner recommends.

It really depends on the person and what they are steaming for. Generally steaming three times in a row before the period and three times in a row after the period may help shift stagnation and clear old residue with the period.  Another approach is to steam once a week which will target the 4 phases of the menstrual/lunar cycle. Full moon steaming and new moon steaming can be a powerful self care ritual to implement.  It is best to work with a practitioner to determine how often would be most beneficial for you to steam.

Every woman will find their own preference as it is possible to steam at any time of the day.  My preference is at night right before bed.  Steaming is a body detoxification and the vagus nerve is stimulated by the warmth of the steam which triggers the parasympathetic nervous system (your relaxing reflex) to kick in leaving you feeling very relaxed or tired afterwards.  So if you’re craving deep restful sleep this is a beautiful night cap.

I recommend both.  Steaming before the monthly womb cleanse helps prepare the uterus for an efficient cleanse. The warmth of the therapeutic steam relaxes the musculature and loosens up everything that isn’t serving, giving the possibility of a nice healthy period. Steaming after the period helps ensure that any old residue that wasn’t able to flush out through that uterine cleanse can be gently encouraged out with the steam.

Yes indeed. There are many ways to create a ritual and it’s really up to you to set the parameters.  It may feel nice to include a candle, incense, burn some sage, soothing music, listen to a guided meditation, breath work, singing, chanting a mantra or simply silently sitting. Before beginning it may feel nice to set an intention – for many it may be of letting go of that which no longer serves. Whether that is of limiting thoughts, fear, anger, hurt, sadness, jealousy, judgment, the list is endless.  While steaming, imagine your whole sacred space receiving a cleansing and healing light.  When the steam is complete, release the herbs and the water symbolically.  If you have a garden this can be a release outside into the earth and can equally be a good symbolic releasing flush down the toilet.  Verbally exclaiming that this water symbolizes your burdens being released from you and transmuted into love for Mother Earth. 

In some traditions, doing a steam session is social and done in company with a group of women. In other traditions, steaming is done as a sacred ceremony. Since this is your steam session, you get to decide what you are going to do while steaming. The important thing is that you sit for the duration of the steam and remain hydrated with water or a herbal tea.

For some of you, this might mean watching a show, working on your laptop, talking on the phone, entertaining kids, breastfeeding or handing out online.  For others it might involve reading a book, journaling, listening to music, breathwork or meditation. For me it is a sacred quiet time when the kids are asleep.  I light a candle, burn some sage and journal, read, study or meditate.  Make it work for you. It’s your steam session.

The Cleansing, Gentle, Disinfecting and Cooling herb formulas all have herbal properties that may help reduce fibroid size. Choose the blend that suits you best. If you are still not sure which herb blend to steam with it would be best to work with a practitioner.

The Cleansing, Gentle, Disinfecting and Cooling herb formulas all have herbal properties that may help drain cysts. Choose the blend that suits you best. If you are still not sure which herb blend to steam with it would be best to work with a practitioner.

In general, the Cleansing Herbs are best.

If you also have infections, the Disinfecting Herbs might be a good choice. 

If you have short cycles, the Gentle Herbs are best. 

The Cooling Herbs could be used if you are also experiencing hot flashes and night sweats.

If you are still not sure which herb blend to steam with it would be best to work with a practitioner.

Yes you can. Especially for yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis. However, do not steam every day for longer than 2 weeks. It can be a bit taxing on your uterus if you over do it. Take a small break of a few days and then continue your schedule. 

If you are still not sure how steaming may help your infection it would be best to work with a practitioner.

Yes it can. Especially for yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis. However, do not steam every day for longer than 2 weeks. It can be a bit taxing on your uterus if you over do it. Take a small break of a few days and then continue your schedule. 

If you are still not sure how steaming may help your infection it would be best to work with a practitioner.

All of the blends help with fertility. To increase fertility choose the blend that best suits your body signs.

For example, if you are experiencing long menstrual cycles, then the Cleansing Herbs will be the best to boost the fertility. 

If you are experiencing short cycles, then the Gentle Herbs will be the best to boost fertility.

If you are experiencing infections, then the disinfecting herbs will be the best to boost fertility.

If you have night sweats, then the Cooling Herbs would be best to boost fertility.

There are often factors beyond steaming alone that can enhance fertility so it would be most beneficial to work with a practitioner.

Yes provided that you are in the pre ovulation phase.  Steaming around ovulation or past ovulation is not recommended for anyone trying to get pregnant.

The Cleansing, Gentle and Cooling herbs are all entirely safe for breastfeeding. 

The Disinfecting Herbs are full of drying herbs. Though there have not been any cases of a decrease in supply, it might be best to avoid them.

Although white sage (a drying herb) is in the Cleansing Herbs, the drying action of the herb is balanced out by other herbs in the mix that are moisturising. This blend has been used safely by at least 50 postpartum breastfeeding mothers without any influence on breast milk. If anything, mothers have reported that vaginal steaming has increased their milk supply.

For more information on the profound benefits of steaming during the fourth trimester (postpartum) see this clinical study.

No. Your uterus contracts while steaming and we do not want that to happen while you are growing a fetus. It may also induce your cycle, causing you to miscarry. If steaming for fertility enhancement, discontinue steaming during and after ovulation. 

More and more women are having success implementing steaming for labour to assist with gentle induction and a relaxed state during labour.  If you would like to practice steaming for labour please work with a practitioner.

Yes, absolutely. Physically and energetically. 

For support steaming after a miscarriage it is best to work with a practitioner.

Yes!

Steaming after birth is very common and encouraged by midwives and birth assistants worldwide. Postpartum steaming tones and rejuvenates the uterus. It encourages hormone balance, combats dryness, and helps release blood and tissue still leftover from birth. If one has a traumatic birth experience, vaginal steaming can also help heal those energetic traumas and blockages.

For more information on the profound benefits of steaming during the fourth trimester (postpartum) see this clinical study.

For support setting up a postpartum steaming plan it is best to work with a practitioner.

If you are experiencing interim or spontaneous bleeding, then the Gentle Herbs will be the most important until extra bleeding has stopped.

If you are experiencing hot flashes (and no extra bleeding) then the Cooling Herbs.

If you are experiencing infections and/or inflammation (and no extra bleeding) then go with the Disinfecting Herbs. 

If you are experiencing large clots and heavy dark maroon periods (with no extra bleeding between periods) then go with the Cleansing Herbs.  

If your periods keep disappearing for months at a time and then coming back, use the Cleansing Herbs if you want to encourage more period regularity. Use the gentle herbs if you want to encourage less periods.

If you are still not sure which herb blend to steam with it would be best to work with a practitioner.

If you have vaginal dryness, use the Cooling Herbs.

If you have infections, use the Disinfecting Herbs.

If you have prolapse or hemorrhoids or abdominal bloating or occasional spotting, use the Gentle Herbs.

If you have phantom cramping, swollen breasts or PMS signs, use the Cleansing Herbs. 

If you are still not sure which herb blend to steam with it would be best to work with a practitioner.

If you still have a period then use the blend that best suits you.

If you do not have periods, then use the Cleansing Herbs for general use.

If you have pain or scar tissue, use the Cleansing Herbs. 

If you have infections, the Disinfecting Herbs would be best.

If you have night sweats, hot flashes, etc., then the Cooling Herbs would be best. 

If you are having trouble with prolapse, then you would use the Gentle Herbs. 

If you are still not sure which herb blend to steam with it would be best to work with a practitioner.

All of the blends will help to get rid of menstrual cramps. Choose the blend most suitable to you and steam preceding and after the period. If you are still not sure which herb blend to steam with it would be best to work with a practitioner.

All blends have herbal properties that may assist with regulating PMS. Choose the blend that is most suitable for you. If you are still not sure which herb blend to steam with it would be best to work with a practitioner.

Before the period starts (up until the age of 12 and a half), use the Gentle Herbs.

After the period starts the Cleansing Herbs would be best unless one of the other blends suits her more (i.e. if she has infections she should have the Disinfecting Herbs).

If a girl starts her period before the age of 12, the Gentle Herbs would be best for her. She should steam after each period and the week before her period is due. This *might* help her period go away. If it does, she should continue to steam once a month with the Gentle Herbs to keep it from coming on again.

If a young lady is 14 or older and her period has not started yet, use the Cleansing Herbs. 

No. Do not steam while bleeding with fresh red blood. It is best to steam before and immediately after your period.  If you get brown blood at the end of your period, I always recommend to my clients, ‘if it’s brown, go to town’.  Steaming will help clear out this old residue from the uterus. 

If you are still not sure how to steam around your period it would be best to work with a practitioner.

Yes it does! Women who have steamed consistently have reported experiencing the standard healthy cycle – only red blood, without clots and cramps, with an even medium flow throughout, 28 – 30 days in cycle length and with no pain or other symptoms. Sounds heavenly doesn’t it?

If you would like support coming off birth control pills it may be beneficial to work with a practitioner.

Women with an IUD are considered sensitive users and should therefore only steam with a mild setup (no longer than 10 minutes).  Steaming longer than this could cause issues with the implant.  If you choose to steam, I would recommend using an alternative form of contraception to be on the safe side.

If you are still not sure how to steam with an IUD it would be best to work with a practitioner.

Yes, you can.

Yes, vaginal steaming is safe despite a lot of the untrue and negative media that has sadly been recently publicised. Always test the temperature of the steam with the inside of your wrist before sitting over it.  When you sit, if it feels too hot, come off immediately and wait 30 seconds to a minute before returning over the steam. 

Also be mindful of your body and spacial awareness during your steam. The worst that could happen to you would be that you burn yourself with steam that is too hot or accidentally came in skin contact with the hot water. Apply the same logic you would while drinking a cup of tea. Easy peasy, lemon sqeezy.

If you are still not sure how to safely set up a steam session it would be best to work with a practitioner.

Vaginal steaming extends far beyond a cleansing modality. It has nothing to do with cleanliness at all.  Steaming is really a therapeutic modality that addresses a dysfunction in your reproductive system.  Steam evaporates, it is not a solid mass or anything entering your vagina.  It is simply steam infused with herbs.

Steaming isn’t something that was made up recently. It is something that has been going on for thousands of years, in different cultures, in different communities, that has been benefiting women for eons. The actual therapeutic modality, in and of itself, is designed to be healing, and there isn’t anything in that is shaming your vagina. Steam is actually treating your vagina to a wonderful experience. So that you can enjoy your vagina even more.

Just because people take a shower doesn’t mean that they’re dirty or have something to be ashamed of.  It is done to maintain and prevent dirt from accumulating.

Absolutely not! Go ahead and put those steaming benefits to use 😉  Many women have found relief from vaginal dryness through steaming and actually use steam as a pre-sex practice.  It’s been a real game changer in their confidence and enjoyment of sex.