Yoni Steam

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yoni steaming is technically a pelvic floor herbal steam. Specific herbs are brought to a boil and then are set in a yoni steam sauna or on the ground. A woman then removes her clothing from her bottom half and then sits on the sauna or squats over the steaming herbs. To enhance the steaming effect, some women will pull a heavy blanket or light sheet around themselves to focus the steam onto their bodies. Here the woman will sit for 10-30 minutes depending on her sensitivities and health goals. Women often find benefit when steaming directly before or after their menstrual cycle, steaming postpartum, or steaming to support hormonal transitions such as menopause. We see that women benefit the most when they steam once a week, aiding to each phase of their cycle. Traditionally, after women give birth and their postpartum bleeding stops they steam every day for 30 days. 

  • Pronounced yo-nee

    There are many words that refer to a women’s womb, with a wide range of insinuations. Many women are even on a path to reclaim many of those words that have been historically derogatory. Yoni is the first word that I have come across that describes the beauty and mystery of a women’s womb in four short letters. “Yoni” is Sanskrit (an ancient language from India) meaning “Sacred Temple” or “Sacred Space”. The word yoni feels like a flower and has a deep meaning of respect. In this context, we use the word “yoni” to refer to all of the physical organs that make up a woman’s reproductive system and to the energetic field of this creative space.

  • Yoni steaming offers a wide range of benefits including cycle regulating, easing cramps, balancing pH, supporting fertility, increasing pleasure, encouraging a gentle detox, aiding women postpartum, and reducing stress. Traditionally, midwives would teach women to Yoni steam after they had given birth as a way to heal the mind, body, and spirit postpartum.

  • If the steam is too hot to where you feel a burning sensation on your vulva OR on your inner thighs (or anywhere else for that matter) then it is very important to cool the steam down.

    Yoni steaming should feel like the warmest bath you have ever taken - not like a forced sauna cleanse. If the steam is too hot then your pelvic floor muscles will tense - contradicting the therapy. For some women, hot steams are necessary to work through their issues - but we work up to the hot steams in a way that is safe and comfortable.

    At The Remedy House, if the steam is too hot or any discomfort is experienced during the session, the client should immediately communicate with the facilitator and stand up so the steam temperature can be adjusted.

  • Yoni steaming is a practice where a woman allows the warmth of herbal steam to permeate the exterior of her vagina and up into her uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries (womb). The warm herbal steam directly enters the womb, softens the tissues, relaxes the belly and the pelvic floor, and increases blood and lymph flow. Yoni steams naturally clean, rebalance, and lubricate the vagina by releasing old, built up blood and/or discharge and energy (stagnation) from the uterine lining. The vaginal canal contains an abundant supply of blood vessels and mucus membranes and it is believed that herbal steam can be easily absorbed through the walls of the vagina. Because of this, doctors often prescribe vaginal suppositories to fight infections or balance hormones.

  • During your yoni steam, you are in an enclosed room, completely covered and then wrapped in the traditional way with a sheet or blanket from the neck down. You will sit on one of our custom yoni steam saunas with towels that has an opening for the steam to easily come through. Each sauna and seat is sanitized before and after use.

  • A consistent Yoni steam practice can lead to an easy and pain-free period, increased fertility, increased vaginal lubrication, and reducing other uterine abnormalities. Yoni steaming is a wellness ritual that allows women to honor, reconnect, and take ownership of their reproductive system in a unique way. Yoni Steams can be helpful for the following conditions:

    >> reduce pain and bloating from menstruation

    >> regulate menstruation cycles

    >> reduce uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, and endometriosis

    >> repairs vaginal tears, c-section scars, and episiotomies

    >> reproductive adhesion/scar tissue

    >> treats hemorrhoids

    >> dark purple/brown blood at the onset or end of menses

    >> enhance your sex life and boost fertility, especially when applied with maya abdominal massage principles

    >> ease menopause symptoms of dryness or pain during intercourse

    >> eliminates cramping

    >> clears up bacteria or yeast infections

    >> draining painful cysts

    >> expelling fibroids

    >> resolving unexplained infertility

    >> postpartum recovery (i.e. getting the body back to pre-pregnancy state, weight loss, lochia elimination, correcting prolapse/hemorrhoids, etc)

    >> miscarriage recovery

    >> reduces heavy menstruation

    >> increases scanty menstruation

    >> returns missing periods

    >> regularizes long or short cycles to 28-30 days

    >> improves vaginal prolapse and tightens canal

    >> moisturizes vaginal dryness

    >> alleviates painful sex

    >> enhances libido

    >> resolves PCOS

    >> odor elimination

    >> general hygiene and well-being

  • In addition to the physical benefits of cleansing and release during the steam, many women may release deeply held feelings or emotions resulting in the start their own healing process from psychological trauma and repressed emotions. Steaming allows women to purify their core and release energy and emotions that no longer serve their womb spaces in a positive way. It allows women to forgive themselves and others for unpleasant incidents that have occurred over their lifetimes. Yoni steaming allows women to facilitate their own healing process from the inside out.

  • >> Pregnancy

    >> Menstruating

    >> Fresh RED spotting

    >> Extremely hot weather

    >> Burning Itch

    >> After Insemination (or IUI/IVF transfer) when Trying to conceive

    >> When Prone to Continual Heavy or Spontaneous Bleeding between Periods

    >> Metal genital piercings must be removed because the heat will cause the piercing to burn you

  • Not all herbs are safe to steam with. Our yoni’s are powerful access points to the body. The tissues of the vulva are as soluble as our mouths but are significantly more sensitive. Herb choice for steam should always be left to a Yoni Steam Facilitator or a studied herbalist. There are many herbs used for a variety of reasons that support each woman with her specific needs. There are four main categories of herbs used for Cleansing, Disinfecting, Cooling and Gentle. We have partnered with the Steamy Chick to provide four different blends of herbs created by a Yoni Steam Facilitator to support your journey.

  • Traditionally, women would steam over pots while squatting over them. Many women find ‘Frog Pose’ and ‘Child’s Pose’ from yoga comfortable ways to steam as well. Usually women steam between 20-30 minutes and for many women holding a yoga pose for that long can be labor some. Saunas make steaming comfortable and allow women to relax deeper into the steam. While seated on a sauna, women can steam, journal, meditate, and drink tea. Our saunas at The Remedy House were handcrafted by our family to provide a natural and safe experience for all women who use them.

  • Steaming brings warmth to our body at the root and that heat is so healing for women. It allows us to open up and to release what's no longer serving us. It increases circulation as opposed to cold which constricts and contracts. This moist heat softens the womb along with the tissues in the body. It increases vital blood flow and supports the womb in releasing any stagnant blood or materials that may have built up.

    See our sections on Yoni Steaming for Girls, Steaming for Fertility, and Steaming for Menopause for more information.

  • If this happens, no worries. We can reschedule your session for a time that you are safe to steam.

  • Yes! Bringing a friend to steam with you is totally fine and can actually make the experience even more fun. It can be intimidating to try something new but when you bring a best friend it allows the experience to be more relaxing and enjoyable. We can accommodate up to three women at a time in our normal schedule or you can plan a Yoni Steam Party with groups of four or more.

  • 5150 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525

Yoni Steaming and Birth Control

  • Endometrial/Uterine Ablation is a procedure where the walls of the uterus are scarred over by being burnt. This is usually done to help women who have intense heavy bleeding on their period. There are studies that show steaming may cause a reversal of this procedure. If steaming on a gentle plan (shorter steams in less duration) it is possible to receive the benefits without reversing the procedure. With this information presented, it is always up to the woman whether she decides to steam or not.

  • Essure is a coil insert placed in the fallopian tubes which forms a barrier around it with scar tissue. This then blocks the sperm from getting to the egg. Although there aren't any known cases, it seems that vaginal steaming could potentially dislodge the Essure insert or clear out the barrier around the Essure insert. With this information presented, it is always up to the woman whether she decides to steam or not.

  • Yes. You will steam for a shorter period of time for your health and safety. If steaming on a gentle plan (short steams of 10 min and no longer) it is possible to receive the benefits without IUD dislodgement.

Yoni Steaming for Girls

  • Yes. Yoni steaming is safe and helps to normalize womb care while setting girls up for a healthy monthly uterine cleanse right from the start. That way they won't have old residue in their uterus which can cause cramping, clotting and brown blood that most women deal with as though it is normal.

  • Girls are struggling with anxiety and depression from a young age in our society. Yoni steaming is a therapy that encourages quiet, reflective time alongside herbal support for hormones and stress relief. After a steam, girls say they feel more connected, grounded and uplifted then when they first arrived.

  • There is no hard and fast age limit for steaming. An assessment would have to be done to ensure safety - steam duration and herb type. I have known of little toddlers who see their mom steaming regularly and want to “be like mom” so they sit on a sauna for a few minutes as more of an experience. Some girls have a difficult time before even having their first period and steaming eases the symptoms and transition through puberty.

  • Steaming helps with many issues and you don't have to have your period to start this practice. Young girls benefit from steaming if they have hot flashes, night sweats, headaches, constipation, and cramping - whether they have started their period or not. They could also be experiencing painful symptoms related to the monthly uterine cleanse (period) in which case the steam will bring circulation to the yoni in order to allow the uterus to cleanse properly with less contractions/cramping.

  • The simple act of allowing the warmth of herbal steam to relax your yoni is a powerful act of healing. When you set the intention to heal from past trauma, the healing is magnified and you release the old. It helps to create positive, gentle and loving experiences for the yoni and whole energetic space.

  • Yes. You can even steam with your daughter with a Mommy/Daughter session to connect deeper and make the ritual normal and healing for both of you.

  • During a Yoni Steam for girls, we can discuss what hormonal phases a woman goes through including fertility and the period. We will discuss proper period care - including hydration, staying warm, relaxing, and feminine care products - to help encourage pain free periods.

  • That depends on what's going on with you and what results you desire. Consistency is key but many women notice results after one steam. Most young girls are seeking help to reduce painful period symptoms, tenderness or heaviness in their uterus and vagina on and before their period. In this case I would have them steam a few days in a row before their period. It's a very gentle and tender way to lead into the period and supports a healthy cycle by adding warmth that increases circulation so the body doesn't have to work as hard and can feel truly calm.

    Additional Resources

    www.steamychick.institute