Postpartum recovery is an essential part of Village for Mama Postpartum Pillars. Whilst the other pillars: support, rest and nourishment can facilitate recovery, it can be deeply beneficial to incorporate some recovery practices and rituals into your postpartum journey. In this series of Postpartum Recovery Practices & Rituals journal post series, I will explore different options for adding magic into your postpartum. Starting with Yoni Steaming.

What is Yoni Steaming
Yoni Steaming, otherwise known as vaginal steaming, is an ancient healing practice using herbal steam to cleanse and nourish the womb and honour the woman. Yoni steaming serves as an opportunity for you to reconnect to your body, your womb, your heart and yourself while simultaneously utilising the multitude of benefits from the plant medicine of which you choose.
Benefits of Yoni Steaming
Yoni steaming is a gentle way to offer warmth infused with plant medicine to the tissues of the vagina, the cervix and ovaries. Yoni steaming is used to address imbalances in the womb, menstruation irregularities, alleviate inflammation/tenderness after birth, to support the transition into menopause and to energetically cleanse the womb when needed.
Choosing Herbs
Choose specifically designed postpartum steaming herbs during the early weeks of motherhood. My favourite yoni steaming herbs are made by a beautiful local doula and mama, Micaela Jane.
Her postpartum Yoni Steam blend ‘The Mother‘ is an organic blend that has been lovingly hand blended with herbs that behold high levels of antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal/ microbial and nurturing qualities to support the healing process that occurs after birth. Regardless of where you are at in your postpartum journey, this beautiful blend will gently support your healing journey.
How to Yoni Steam
It is best to wait to start yoni steaming after bleeding has stopped. This practice can be used as both a rest and recovery ritual. Use this time to set an intention, slow down, breathe and listen to your body.
Boil steaming herbs for 5 minutes and then remove from heat and let steep with a lid on for another 5 minutes.
Transfer to a heat proof bowl and check temperature.
Position yourself comfortably over the herbs leaving at least 8 inches of space and drape a long dress or sarong around you to keep the warmth in. You can steam with or without a yoni steaming stool, just ensure that you are comfortable enough to relax and breath.
Continue until herbs cool down or you feel it is time to do so.
You can lean more about postpartum recovery as well as the whole postpartum period along with planning tools and recipes in the Village for Mama ‘A Postpartum Guide‘ E Book