water soluble plant constituents
In the context of vaginal steaming, conversations tend to go something like, “I have never heard of this before, but I am intrigued and I think I really need to do this!” or, “You want me to do… what exactly?” Which is both totally expected in the context of how women are still very much blossoming into confidence surrounding their physical bodies in a respectful and gentle way, and then also so laughable considering the super invasive, painful, and damaging things women don’t hesitate to do. Not at all laughable as in “funny,” but more in a what a wild world this is type of way.
As with all things, having a knowing of how and whysomething works helps us to see from a broader lens and gain greater perspective. So today I thought it would be fun to chat a bit about the herbal component to vaginal steaming and how impressive this practice really is.
Much like we utilize the mucus membranes under our tongue to absorb medicines quickly into our system, the action of vaginal steaming works much the same. The water soluble constituents of the herbs are steeped into the water — just the same as brewing a medicinal cup of tea. Once we’ve allowed time for the plant matter to open and release it’s properties into the water, the steam is ready for us. As we rest upon our steam chair and the herb steeped water vapors rise to some of our most delicate tissues, our bodies can very readily receive the actions of the herbs.
“Preparing a vaginal steam is preparing herbal medicine.”
— Julia Demillones Moore
Consider the anatomy that is in direct contact with the herbal steam. Consider the organs, blood vessels, lymph nodes, and nerves that are in connection with these parts of ourselves.
Consider the mechanism of action of steam itself. Warming, opening, rising, lifting.
Consider the herbal properties. Por ejemplo, how mint feels on your tongue.
And then consider the common ailments and discomforts that girls and women (and boys and men) face throughout the ins and outs of life, and how herbal steam directly to those places can support those issues.
Infections, rashes, dryness, prolapse, hemorrhoids, tears, stitches, external cysts or bumps.
Steam on it’s own and the warmth it offers creates for us a physical openness — our cells, that may have otherwise felt frozen or stuck (sympathetic nervous system response — fight / flight / freeze / fawn), are offered a gentle opportunity to rest, open, and release (parasympathetic downregulation — rest / digest / release).
When we formulate an herbal steam blend, we’re taking into consideration the messages the body has given us and intentionally offering herbs that will support balance and function.
Is there dampness present? Are we teetering more towards coolness, or heat? How well is her digestion flowing? Are the menstrual cycles short, long, or right in rhythm? What does this all (and more) tell us of the overall picture of her health? With this information, and gathering the insights she’s shared of her story (that also live within her cells), we’re able to then offer herbs that will support balance where there may currently be excess or deficiency.
Por ejemplo — Too much heat in the body, cooling herbs. Too much bleeding, uterine strengthening herbs.
It is altogether simple and complex, as the body often has more than one story to tell.
Another really powerful and beautiful aspect of working with herbal medicine, be it in the form of medicinal steam, or drinking herbal tea, or any other avenues of utilizing herbs to support our health, is that our bodies easily recognize plant medicine .
Herbal and plant based medicines do not force the body into a function, but rather they offer support for the body to function as it was designed to do on it’s own.
We are talking about materials that are in and of the world around us; living beings that have been part of creation from the beginning of time and that have sustained people and animals alike, always. These medicinal materials are not foreign, man made, pieced together creations that our bodies don’t know what to do with, or that requires a lot of energy from our body to know how to process (that then creates imbalance in the organs like many pharmaceutical medications do over time).
These are water soluble vitamins and minerals that easily absorb and can be assimilated into our bloodstream — that then travel all throughout the landscape of our inner body.
And on the other hand, when working with herbal medicine it is always wise to come to the table with great love, respect, and acknowledgment for the balancing power that the plants offer us. Disrespect Mother Nature, and she’ll set ya on your ass. Plants are not benign medicines. If you know poison ivy, you know what I mean. And if you know plantain when you’ve been stung by a bee, or yarrow when you have a bleeding wound, you also know what I mean.
When we utilize herbs in a steam session, it’s best to speak over them words of love and gratitude for their actions and purposes; to thank them for offering our body their gifts. While we benefit, they deteriorate. It is the cycle of life, and it’s wise to hold it with respect. When the herbs are finished with their role, I return them to the earth — again with much gratitude for the opportunity to work together and with love for the the gifts they’ve given.
I hope this has given you a more detailed picture of the mechanism of vaginal steaming and how and why it is an effective way of supporting our bodies. I hope that you gained a fresh confidence in your steam practice. And I hope every time you utilize herbs in any of the ways that you do, you do so with a heart full of thanks and recognition for the ancient wisdom you hold in your hands.
With love and warmth,
G