What might seem like a frivolous step to many in the search of modern beauty to some actually has deep thick fertile roots in the tradition of women taking care their own reproductive health. Nowt stranger than folk as they say. Far from what might at first sound like the feminine version of the jets at the car wash in fact women's traditions throughout the world have used gentle steam from skillfully blended herbal brews using a specific technique at particular times of the women's lives to aid healing and maintain their reproductive health.
Who does that?
Bajos and Chai-Yok are pretty much still mainstream in Mexico, Guatemala, Belize and Korea to name a few. Medieval England, Scotland and France had similar herbal treatments but here we've almost forgotten. In California it's becoming very popular under the name v-steam and you might be forgiven for thinking it is a new fad but actually it goes back hundreds if not thousands of years. Anyone who has or has once had a womb would possibly benefit, although there are particular risks if the untrained decides to go ahead. This ought not be done when pregnant or if you are amid a particularly heavy flow as it will increase blood flow. If you have an infection in the area or open sores it's not a great choice either as that could land you a trip to your doctor or worse. Getting the temperature right is also a fine art, you really don't want to get burnt. Those who come from a culture who habitually use steaming techniques would have been taught when and how with great care, as getting it wrong could cause much heartache. There are other contra-indications for this therapy and for these reasons I'd strongly recommend that anyone new to this would seek out a trained professional to guide them.
What happens?
Well, a case history and positional is taken and suitable plants are selected which would bring advantages for the woman. This is bespoke as every single woman is different. This could include gentle ingredients such as rose petals, camomile or lavender. Usually at least three are chosen for their unique qualities. Some therapists are quite protective of their formulations. If you've ever visited a herbalist you might have an idea of the dizzying array of natural plant matter available. Once selected they are brewed in hot hot hot, did I mention hot water. Some use specific types of vessels, shapes and materials vary from ceramic to heat toughen glass. Then a suitable piece of furniture is used to sit on with the steaming vessel underneath, some have their own bajo seats and some are even more swish and have the technology to keep the water steaming for a long time. Layers of heat and moisture retentive material are wrapped around the woman and she luxuriates in that amazingly relaxing feeling for as long as is comfortable. Twenty minutes in peace and quiet spent like this is quite heavenly. Perhaps unsurprisingly there haven't been huge medical company research studies into the topic so you've only got the experience of the many women who have gone before you or who still use this today as evidence. Really if you haven't tried it, don't knock it. I was certain it was pants until I tried it. Which brings me on to my final point.
Why? No, really why?
Is it all about vanity? A vaginal equivalent to a facial? In a word, no. Lots and lots of women throughout the planet benefit from monthly steams (after menses and before ovulation preferably) and see it as part of the normal routine in their self care. Rather surprisingly for me I am one of them. Formulations change for each one and I know the health benefits that it has brought me so I can heartily advocate.
Steaming heals, nourishes and tones the tissues. It makes the area more supple. If you've had a traumatic birth resulting in scar tissue it might be of great benefit for example. The moist heat of the steam opens pores and dilates vessels allowing more oxygenated blood through the tissue to heal and promote health naturally and gently. No nasty artificial substances, fancy antibacterial products or procedures required. You do after all need the good bacteria there. The plants carry their own benefits with their volatile oils which would be absorbed through the delicate but highly reactive tissues. Have you ever tried garlic on your lady bits and tasted it? No, don't I'm kidding, sort of, but anyway you get the idea. The plants used are important in this delicate area as you will notice their qualities. You might particularly benefit you've got any symptoms such as PMS, cramps during your period, brown blood/dark blood/purple blood or clotting during menstruation, endometriosis, PCOS, absence of menstruation, long cycles, bleeding less than 4 days per cycle, scar tissue or experience painful intercourse. These aren't things we, as women, should necessarily have to suffer through as they can have far reaching and life changing consequences ranging from those few critical days off work to a woman living in painful silence. Steams are a luxurious way of taking care of your reproductive health purely for maintenance too. They are very pleasant. So yes your down below may look rejuvenated, perhaps, but that's not the point. That would be missing the point by several thousand naval miles.
They, we, do it because we hold so much creative power as women which belongs in the world joyfully unhindered.
I almost don't mind where you live what your background is or what you call this therapy if it works for a woman who could sensibly stand in her way?
Who does that?
Bajos and Chai-Yok are pretty much still mainstream in Mexico, Guatemala, Belize and Korea to name a few. Medieval England, Scotland and France had similar herbal treatments but here we've almost forgotten. In California it's becoming very popular under the name v-steam and you might be forgiven for thinking it is a new fad but actually it goes back hundreds if not thousands of years. Anyone who has or has once had a womb would possibly benefit, although there are particular risks if the untrained decides to go ahead. This ought not be done when pregnant or if you are amid a particularly heavy flow as it will increase blood flow. If you have an infection in the area or open sores it's not a great choice either as that could land you a trip to your doctor or worse. Getting the temperature right is also a fine art, you really don't want to get burnt. Those who come from a culture who habitually use steaming techniques would have been taught when and how with great care, as getting it wrong could cause much heartache. There are other contra-indications for this therapy and for these reasons I'd strongly recommend that anyone new to this would seek out a trained professional to guide them.
What happens?
Well, a case history and positional is taken and suitable plants are selected which would bring advantages for the woman. This is bespoke as every single woman is different. This could include gentle ingredients such as rose petals, camomile or lavender. Usually at least three are chosen for their unique qualities. Some therapists are quite protective of their formulations. If you've ever visited a herbalist you might have an idea of the dizzying array of natural plant matter available. Once selected they are brewed in hot hot hot, did I mention hot water. Some use specific types of vessels, shapes and materials vary from ceramic to heat toughen glass. Then a suitable piece of furniture is used to sit on with the steaming vessel underneath, some have their own bajo seats and some are even more swish and have the technology to keep the water steaming for a long time. Layers of heat and moisture retentive material are wrapped around the woman and she luxuriates in that amazingly relaxing feeling for as long as is comfortable. Twenty minutes in peace and quiet spent like this is quite heavenly. Perhaps unsurprisingly there haven't been huge medical company research studies into the topic so you've only got the experience of the many women who have gone before you or who still use this today as evidence. Really if you haven't tried it, don't knock it. I was certain it was pants until I tried it. Which brings me on to my final point.
Why? No, really why?
Is it all about vanity? A vaginal equivalent to a facial? In a word, no. Lots and lots of women throughout the planet benefit from monthly steams (after menses and before ovulation preferably) and see it as part of the normal routine in their self care. Rather surprisingly for me I am one of them. Formulations change for each one and I know the health benefits that it has brought me so I can heartily advocate.
Steaming heals, nourishes and tones the tissues. It makes the area more supple. If you've had a traumatic birth resulting in scar tissue it might be of great benefit for example. The moist heat of the steam opens pores and dilates vessels allowing more oxygenated blood through the tissue to heal and promote health naturally and gently. No nasty artificial substances, fancy antibacterial products or procedures required. You do after all need the good bacteria there. The plants carry their own benefits with their volatile oils which would be absorbed through the delicate but highly reactive tissues. Have you ever tried garlic on your lady bits and tasted it? No, don't I'm kidding, sort of, but anyway you get the idea. The plants used are important in this delicate area as you will notice their qualities. You might particularly benefit you've got any symptoms such as PMS, cramps during your period, brown blood/dark blood/purple blood or clotting during menstruation, endometriosis, PCOS, absence of menstruation, long cycles, bleeding less than 4 days per cycle, scar tissue or experience painful intercourse. These aren't things we, as women, should necessarily have to suffer through as they can have far reaching and life changing consequences ranging from those few critical days off work to a woman living in painful silence. Steams are a luxurious way of taking care of your reproductive health purely for maintenance too. They are very pleasant. So yes your down below may look rejuvenated, perhaps, but that's not the point. That would be missing the point by several thousand naval miles.
They, we, do it because we hold so much creative power as women which belongs in the world joyfully unhindered.
I almost don't mind where you live what your background is or what you call this therapy if it works for a woman who could sensibly stand in her way?
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