Vaginal steaming, also known as womb or yoni steaming, is the ancient practice of sitting or squatting over a pot of herbal-infused steam to physically heal and energetically cleanse the womb.

Vaginal steaming has been used for centuries cross-culturally for:

• rites of passage
• physical ailments
• cord-cuttings
• protection
• soul retrieval
• connecting with ancestral mothers
• and so much more.

Yoni Steaming: Spiritual Meaning and Uses

Vaginal steams use the four elements:

• Fire: the heat source, if there is one
• Air: steam
• Water: the water the herbs are being infused in
• Earth: the herbs used

The steam from a vaginal steam contains all four elements. This provides a great base for any spiritual work. Some elements can be emphasized over others through the planetary energy of the herbs used.

An esoteric element that can be added or omitted from a womb steam: ether.

Ether is added when the intent of the vaginal steam goes beyond relaxation and the physical. The intent for womb steams that contain ether can look like:

• Inner child retrieval and integration
• Contacting your ancestral maternal line
• Cord-cutting after a breakup

Vaginal Steams and Sourcing

One of the most important yet overlooked things about setting up a yoni steam is where you get your herbal blend from.

In recent years, womb steaming has been commercialized and bastardized away from its original meaning. Mass-produced womb steams, which are not intentionally crafted by energyworkers or herbalists, cannot possibly contain the same healing properties as the ones crafted by our ancestral mothers. Especially when those herbs are unsustainably sourced and the workers are underpaid.

As yoni steaming as become trendy, people are starting to sell yoni steam blends with little to no herbal knowledge, and no prescription for the people buying them.

Yoni Steaming: Safety Tips Before You Start

Not everyone has to be a certified yoni steam practitioner to be legitimate and knowledgeable, but it’s important to always vet who you’re buying your yoni steam blends from.

Also, not everyone is able to safely do a yoni steam.

I do not recommend doing a yoni steam if you:

• Are pregnant – it can cause a miscarriage or hemorrhaging
• Are trying to conceive – it can interfere with egg implantation
• Have irregular periods – it can cause spontaneous bleeding
• Are drinking alcohol – it can cause dehydration
• Will be too distracted – sitting over a womb steam too long can cause spotting, cramping, and bleeding
• Have an IUD – it can cause the IUD to move or even fall out

The Physical Benefits of Yoni Steaming

If you’ve picked up on the deception of people who claim that vaginal steams are cure-alls, your intuition is correct.

Like many herbal remedies, yoni steams are best for prevention, or to be used in tandem with a full, holistic womb health prescriptions.

Anyone claiming that a vaginal steam will cure your chronic BV without you having to do anything else is lying to you. But, for example, a good womb steam regimen with a change in diet and lifestyle could actually cure your chronic infections.

So if your intention with a womb steam is to treat a physical issue, know that some (not all) issues will require you to make other lifestyle changes to truly treat and heal the root of the issue. I always highly recommend working with an herbalist or yoni steam practitioner to create a personalized prescription.

Yoni steams can help:

• Heal postpartum scarring and soothe discomfort
• Shrink fibroids and cysts
• Balance hormones and pH (specialized blends)
• Boost fertility
• Treat yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis
• Vaginal dryness
• Cleanse physical tissue and discharge

How To Set Up Your Vaginal Steam

Step 1: Set Your Intention

One of the things I love the most about vaginal steams are how versatile they are in spiritual work. It can be a shared experience, or a solitary one. Womb steams can add to guided meditations, bonding, cord-cuttings, and so much more. Before you start, make sure to set your intention.

Step 2: Know Your Setup

This is another overlooked step of setting up your womb steam. Depending on different criteria, your vaginal steam may need to be adjusted to make sure you have a safe experience. Again, I highly recommend working with a person who is experienced with yoni steams to tailor to your needs.

Generally speaking, a person who has regular periods and no womb conditions or infections can use the following set up:

• A direct heat source (I recommend a slow cooker over a hot plate, which can get too hot too fast)
• A cape or cover over your body to keep the steam in
• Steam for 15-20 minutes

 

If the above doesn’t sound like you or you just want to play it safe, consider making these changes:

• No direct heat source – just boil the water and pour it in the bowl
• No cape or cover
• Steam for 10 minutes

Step 3: Gather Your Yoni Steam Supplies

You’ll need:

• A mason jar amount of water
• The herbal blend
• A cape, cover, blanket, or very long skirt (if you want – you don’t need these)
• A comfortable seat – you can buy a yoni steam chair (no plastic!) or check out this video for budget friendly ideas
• Whatever other materials needed to honor your intention: candles, calming music, etc

Step 4: Prepare the Herbal Infusion

Fill a pot with the water and add the herbs. Bring the water to a boil, then let it simmer for about 20 minutes to allow the herbs to infuse.

Step 5: Begin Steaming

Once the water has cooled down a bit but is still steaming, carefully sit on the seat and wrap the blanket around your waist to keep the steam in. You should be feeling a gentle heat, not a burning sensation.

Step 6: Dispose of the Herbs

After you’re done steaming, dispose of the herbs in an environmentally friendly way. This could mean composting them or returning them to the earth. Personally, I like to put my herbs in an organic, compostable tea bag and give them as an offering to the dirt and local plant spirits.

Personalized Vaginal Steam Services

Remember, every person’s body is unique, so a one-size-fits-all approach to womb steams will never do. Especially in a culture that encourages us to dissociate from the needs and sensations of our bodies. Always listen to your body and adjust the process as needed.

If you’re interested in vaginal steaming but don’t know where to start, I’m a certified yoni steam practitioner and rootworker who offers customized yoni steam blends and womb healing coaching. Send me a message or follow me on Twitter @yungmedusa for more information on womb steams and ritual use!