Yoni Steaming Part 1 - What is Yoni Steaming?

Have you heard of yoni steaming? Unless you grew up going to Korean spas, it is most likely something you aren’t totally familiar with. It isn’t very popular here in the States- but has long been a traditional healing practice used by several cultures around the globe. 

While it may seem like a “weird” or “new age” practice-  Yoni steaming has been around for thousands of years and has been used as a medicinal practice in several different areas of the world. It is a regular practice in Korea- often used in spas but has been found to also be practiced in China, Indonesia, Cambodia, Turkey, Latvia, Sweden, Italy, Germany, South Africa, Jamaica, Panama, Mexico, Hawaii, and many other regions of the world. 

Yoni steaming, or vaginal steaming, is a method of delivering medicine via steam to the vagina, perineum, and womb. A woman sits on a stool, or a chair, and underneath lies a steaming pot of herbs. Often, a sheet is placed around the lower half of the waist for draping purposes and to lock in the steam. It is a gentle steam, and the temperature should always be moderated accordingly. When done correctly or by a trained professional, it is very safe. Most women describe the experience as cleansing and even very relaxing. 

Yoni steaming is most commonly used for post-partum care, after a period to ensure proper shedding of endometrial tissue, and also to treat gynecological issues such as painful menstruation with severe cramping, fibroids, cysts, infections, infertility, and even vaginal dryness. Here at Balanced Thistle, we often use it to treat various vaginal infections such as BV. When water is heated to become steam- it adopts antibacterial properties. Hence, why we use steam cleaners to clean carpets or autoclaves to disinfect certain tools. Steam is considered to be a natural, non-toxic antimicrobial agent. When herbs are added to the steam, a wide range of therapeutic effects can occur. 

What is it like?

You are fully covered and draped during yoni steaming and also in a private room with music playing. Before steaming, we sit down and go over your health history, gynecological concerns, etc. so we know which herbs to use and to ensure that yoni steaming will be safe for you. 

While yoni steaming is generally considered safe- there are certain conditions in which it is contra-indicated or strongly cautioned. It should of course be avoided in pregnancy or in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle when trying to conceive. Check out this article for a more in-depth list of why you shouldn’t steam at home.  

If you have any additional questions about Yoni steaming, comment below!

This blog was written by Samantha Kloss, L.Ac.