Overview

Throughout our clinical practice few treatments have proven to be as effective for so many reproductive and vaginal ailments as steaming.

Vaginal steaming is a selfcare practice that increases circulation to the uterus and entire pelvic floor with aromatic herbs that detoxify and ultimately create homeostasis. Let’s take a closer look at how it works:

Function 1: Blood Flow & Circulation

Not unlike a facial, the warm steam increases blood flow and circulation to the uterus and pelvic floor. This has a number of benefits:

• Increased blood flow helps to carry crucial nutrients to an area of the body that, surprisingly, can be deprived of adequate circulation - the basis for healthy functioning.

• In the case of fertility, it gently clears the uterus of residual endometrium from past menstrual cycles that may be preventing the egg from properly attaching itself to the wall of the uterus.

• Through normal stresses women’s uteruses can become twisted or even inverted impeding the likelihood of conception. The heat and circulation relax the organs helping them to move into their ideal positions.

Function 2: Cleansing & Homeostasis

The herbs in a vaginal steam are carefully chosen to nourish the reproductive organs while cleansing them of any pathologies or infections.

When you steam with strong aromatic herbs, the plant oils are carried via the steam into the pelvic floor where their anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties cleanse the uterus without eliminating any of the good bacteria and microflora. Contrary to this method, over-the-counter and prescription antibiotic medications remove all forms of bacteria both good and bad.

Uses for Vaginal Steaming

The uses for vaginal steams are extensive. The list below is compiled based on our direct experience working with clients for over 30 years.

• Fertility support and to increase the likelihood of conception especially when paired with abdominal massage (see our Love Butter product pages for more info on abdominal massage)

• It is used by top fertility specialists around the country prior to artificial insemination and in-vitro fertilization procedures to increase success rate. Learn more here

• Curing pathologies like UTIs, yeast infections, and bacterial vaginosis without killing off the good vaginal flora

• Relieving cramps, bloating and exhaustion from regular menstrual cycles

• Postpartum healing and recovery for both vaginal and caesarian births

• Circulating and emptying the uterus during extended periods that often occur during menopause

Our Blend of Herbs

Our vaginal steam consists of aromatic herbs chosen for their cleansing properties.

Everyday herbs like Rosemary, Thyme, and Oregano were some of the original herbs used in healing remedies. They’re not just chosen because they’re readily available in the kitchen. These “cooking herbs” have aromatic properties that allow the oils to rise with the steam bringing the properties of the plant to your skin and tissue.

Oregano is packed with antioxidants that help fight bacteria and viruses. It’s also anti-inflammatory.

Thyme has antiseptic and disinfectant properties, meaning it neutralizes pathological bacteria while preventing infection. Its vulnerary properties (fancy word that means healing of wounds) stimulate new cell growth.

Sage is similar to Thyme in that it is an antiseptic agent that neutralizes pathogenic bacteria while preventing infection.

Calendula has incredible healing properties, including reducing inflammation1. It is a mainstay part of herbal and phytomedicine.

Rosemary stimulates capillary circulation and brings blood to the cells. It is a disinfectant for your skin, and blood cleanser. It helps to regulate periods and supports healthy hair follicles.  Rosemary reduces inflammation, eases pains, and protects the body from bacterial infections.

Artemisia Annua also known as Sweet Annie is a powerful herb that has proven to be effective in treating inflammation, chronic bladder infections and even preventing the division of cancer cells2.

All of our herbs are organic and sourced as sustainably as possible.

The Skepticism Around Vaginal Steaming

Through recent support from celebrities, vaginal steaming has emerged into the mainstream.

With that, experts from conventional medical backgrounds have been critical of this practice, citing the fact that there is little scientific study to support its effectiveness.

While we value the opinions of all types of healers, we have yet to encounter a medical professional traditional, integrated, holistic or otherwise that uses vaginal steaming in their practice and yet isn’t convinced of its effectiveness.

Our traditional medical model tends to favor high-cost, high-intervention therapies because they are extremely profitable.

Conversely, treatments that can be done for minimal investment, by the patient, at home (the very definition of selfcare) are at odds with that paradigm. So, it’s no surprise that vaginal steaming is met with such resistance.

One of the goals of our business and this site is to provide women with more resources and therapies that give them greater control over their own health.

In the future, we hope to be able to point to clinical studies as evidence of the effectiveness of vaginal steaming. Even more so, our vision is to play a role in supporting those studies.  

Until then, we have to rely on the decades of evidence obtained in our own clinical practice, including the successful conception and delivery of (literally) hundreds of babies by women who were told they could not conceive as well as the successes of our peers.  

If you have any personal experience with vaginal steaming – be it positive, negative or otherwise, or have further questions about this product, please reach out via phone or email. We’d love to hear from you. 

Citations

1. https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/calendula

2. https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/artemisia-annua