Sitz baths, herbal soaks, and peri-bottles, oh my! People have been using herbal soaks to help heal after birth for generations across many cultures, and it makes a whole lot of sense why. Under the Ayurvedic tradition, one key principle is to use warmth to reduce vata, so many herbal baths are encouraged. This principle is also seen in Traditional Chinese Medicine; birth is seen as a very masculine event actually, being so active and high energy. To balance the energies, rest and warmth are brought to the body through herbal teas and soaks.

In today’s day and age, we might not be foraging herbs for ourselves, but that doesn’t mean we can’t use some herbal medicine to help us recover, but also help us feel nourished and pampered through our postpartum period. Not only does the warmth make you feel nice and cozy, but the medicinal properties of the herbs can also improve a wide array of postpartum complications. Here’s why you should consider using herbal soaks in your fourth trimester:

THE WHY

Depending on the herbal blend, there are many medicinal qualities that can increase your comfort and speed up your healing process. Some herbs are anti-bacterial, some offer anti-inflammatory properties. The warm water itself can be very soothing on tender areas. The goal is to use these soaks to heal any trauma in the pelvic region (yes - you can have a bath after episiotomies & tearing!), soothe haemorrhoids, and discomfort while giving you the chance to recover through relaxation and rest. Sign me UP!

THE HOW

There are many different methods; you can try one or all, occasionally or daily. Some methods include:

a sitz bath (a shallow insert to your toilet allowing you to only soak your bottom)
use warm herbal infusions to create a herbal bath. You can brew a giant pot of tea then pour the infusion into the tub , or place the herbs in a sieve and pour the hot water over the herbs directly into the tub. Do not put herbs directly into bath tub unless you want a big clean up job!
putting herbal infusions in a peri-bottle for a soothing herbal rinse after going to the bathroom
set up a crock pot in your bathroom to keep your herbal infusion warm. insert a few washcloths and create a warm compress for your perineum