Yoni | Vaginal Steam

Steaming is universally practiced and commonly misunderstood in the West.

Yoni Steaming - An Ancient Practice

Vaginal steaming is an ancient practice for women's health that originates from almost every part of the world. The above Google maps has various examples of steaming in Central and South America, Caribbean islands, Poland, France, Morocco, China, Singapore and more. There is evidence from primary documents that wet steam has been used as a gynecological practice in ancient Italy, Britain and Egypt. Dry steam, or fumigation, is generously prescribed in India to this day for postpartum moms to help get rid of lochia. In South Korea, hospitals recommend vaginal steaming, with extremely positive results, as a complimentary medical practice to radiation therapy in uterine and ovarian cancer patients.

What are the benefits?

Benefits of vaginal steaming range from eliminating painful PMS symptoms like cramps and heavy period flow to regulating cycles like shortening long periods, extending short cycles, and ending pre-period or post-period spotting. Many steam users have reported getting rid of recurring conditions like bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections, as well as reducing or eradicating fibroids and cysts. Steaming has been used to increase fertility and support healthy implantation by clearing old residual uterine lining. In the postpartum phase, it is especially helpful to clear lochia and combat uterine prolapse. Menopausal and postmenopausal women have reported vaginal comfort from increasing libido to alleviating dryness and vaginal atrophy. Women have reported benefits following hysterectomies including improvements with scar tissue and elimination of irregular or brown discharge after the procedure.

What herbs are used for vaginal steaming?

The exact mix of herbs and proportions depends on multiple factors. Herbs can be adapted to the geographical location, based on their properties, and selected based on a woman's body constitution.

A standard blend can include stinging nettle to replenish iron in the blood, lavender for disinfecting properties and citrus peel for an uplifting aroma therapeutic effect. Mint can create a cooling, moisturizing environment for women struggling with dryness. There are other herbs which depend on the intended outcome of a steam. For example, motherwort is known as an emmenagogue for promoting menstrual flow. Mugwort is a fascinating herb whose properties are specifically tied to the species. Artemisia Vulgaris, common mugwort, has a cleansing effect on the uterus, however, Artemisia Argyi, Chinese mugwort, has the opposite effect, closing up arteries to prevent uterine bleeding. Astragalus root also has hemostatic qualities that aid in lengthening cycles.

What to expect with a vaginal steam?

Women who are steaming for the first time will have a consultation to discuss their womb health. If in person, we will prepare a custom blend and boil water to pour over the herbs. Once the steam is at a warm comfortable temperature, the client will remove their bottom half clothes and take a seat on the disinfected wooden steam box. A robe will be available for modesty and a Turkish towel will be wrapped around their waist and steam seat to direct the steam upward in the vulvovaginal area. It is recommended for first time users to begin with a ten minute steam.

After the steam, a cooling mist will be offered to help close the pores. Then the client will lie down, either on a massage table (SoHo) or in a salt cave (Midtown Manhattan) with a heating pad on their belly to integrate and soften into a womb meditation. 

While even a single steam can offer benefits, a monthly practice is recommended for maintenance. More frequent steaming can be used to address conditions like missing periods, infections, fibroids and cysts. Underlying sensitivities will cause some women to always steam for a maximum of ten minutes while others can increase to twenty or thirty minutes as advised by the practitioner.

Vaginal steaming can have immense benefits for women’s reproductive and fertility health if used with the proper herbs, proportions, set up and duration. Discover your individual needs and which herbs can provide benefits to your womb by booking your first steam session.