DIY Vaginal Steam: A Complete Guide to Yoni Steaming at Home
Vaginal steaming, also known as yoni steaming, has been around for centuries, woven into traditions that honored the womb as a source of power and wisdom.
Rooted in practices like traditional Chinese medicine and other holistic healing systems, it’s been used to support menstruation, fertility, postpartum recovery, and sexual vitality.
Then in 2008, Gwyneth Paltrow's website Goop came along, and suddenly everyone had an opinion.
Is yoni steaming really necessary? Does your vagina need a detox? The short answer, no, it doesn’t. Your vagina is self-regulating and self-cleaning. But that’s not really the point.
Yoni steaming supports your body’s natural intelligence and healing capacity. It’s a practice that supports warmth, softness, and provides your pelvic bowl with space to release, recalibrate, and ground.
For some women, it eases cramps. For others, it helps with postpartum recovery, hormone shifts, or simply creates a moment to pause and breathe into the womb space. And for many, it becomes a ritual, a way to honor the cycles and feminine nature within.
The Benefits of Vaginal Steaming: What the Research & Experts Say
Does science back vaginal steaming? The shortest answer is that research is still catching up. There is currently no scientific evidence that vaginal steaming is beneficial for any health condition.
While clinical studies are limited, yoni steaming has been a staple in holistic medicine for centuries. Practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine equate it to moxibustion, a practice where warming herbs are burned to stimulate circulation, release stagnation, and support reproductive health.
A lot of women swear by it. And sometimes, lived experience speaks louder than a lack of Western medical studies.
Here’s the science behind yoni steaming:
Menstrual Cycle Regulation: If your period is showing up randomly, sometimes early, sometimes late, or sometimes absent altogether, yoni steaming might be the key to bring your cycle into harmony. By warming the pelvic area and increasing circulation, steaming can reduce cramps, ease bloating, and encourage a healthier, more predictable flow.
Postpartum Recovery: Your womb just went through a full transformation to bring life into the world and yoni steaming has been used for generations to help it heal. Holistic midwives and postpartum doulas often recommend yoni steaming for soothing soreness, promoting circulation, and supporting the uterus as it returns to its natural state.
Hormonal Support: Hormones control everything from your cycle to your mood and libido. When things feel off-balance (think: irregular periods, night sweats, vaginal dryness), some women turn to yoni steaming for natural support.
Relaxation & Cramp Relief: Ever relied on a heating pad during your period? With yoni steaming, the warm steam relaxes muscles, eases pelvic tension, and helps you drop into a state of full-body release. Many women describe it as a ritual of self-connection, a moment to just breathe and be.
Potential Fertility Support: While it’s not a guaranteed fertility treatment, some women use it to support a healthy reproductive environment. Yoni steam practitioners believe that steaming enhances circulation, detoxifies the womb, and helps clear out stagnant energy by creating the optimal foundation for new life.
How to Do a DIY Vaginal Steam at Home
Step 1: Choosing the Right Yoni Steam Herbs
The right herbs can ease cramps, balance hormones, and support overall reproductive wellness, while the wrong ones won’t do much (or worse, could irritate sensitive tissues).
In particular, using a blend of soothing herbs is crucial.
Whether you want a ready-made blend or prefer to go full DIY herbalist, here’s how to pick the best yoni steam herbs for your needs.
There are two ways to create your yoni steam blend:
Option 1: Pre-Made Yoni Steam Herb Blends
If you want a foolproof, expertly formulated blend, The Empowered Woman’s Organic Herbal Yoni Steaming Blends are the best pick.
Our blends are created by the Doctor of Chinese Medicine and holistic health specialist Cejaye Thoraldson.
Each blend targets a specific area of reproductive wellness.
NOURISH: This is best for vaginal dryness & hormone balance. It works by increasing circulation to the pelvic area, supporting natural lubrication, and helping the vaginal walls retain moisture.
Key herbs: Rose, Motherwort, Raspberry, Dong Quai, Black Cohosh, Chamomile.
RELIEVE: This is best if you want to relax and ease cramps, bloating, and period pain. It works by gently easing the muscles around the womb, relaxing the uterus, improving blood flow to ease tension, and reducing inflammatory responses that cause pain and bloating.
Key herbs: Rose, Motherwort, Calendula, Dong Quai, Black Cohosh, Chamomile, Lemon Balm, St. John’s Wort.
FERTILITY: This is best for menstrual cycle regulation and reproductive health. It works by improving uterine circulation, promoting a healthy flow, helping the body detox stagnant blood during menstruation, and strengthening reproductive tissues for a more balanced cycle.
Key herbs: Rose, Motherwort, Lady’s Mantle, Raspberry, Rosemary, Dong Quai, Damiana.
BLESS – This is best for general womb wellness and energetic cleansing. It works by resetting the system, mainly by stimulating lymphatic drainage in the pelvic area, stimulating the natural detoxification process, and promoting a feeling of renewal.
Key herbs: Rose, Holy Basil, Motherwort, Raspberry, Dong Quai, Sage, Lavender.
Option 2: Make Your Own Yoni Steam Blend
Personalized steaming means you’re choosing herbs that target exactly what your body needs.
Here’s why these herbs actually work based on real physiological effects that support your cycle, hormones, and vaginal health.
For Period Cramps & Bloating
Rose: Rose is a known antispasmodic, meaning it directly relaxes the uterus and pelvic floor muscles, reducing period pain, period cramps and bloating.
Chamomile: Famous for its anti-inflammatory properties, chamomile works like a natural ibuprofen, calming uterine contractions and easing nerve pain.
Calendula: A gentle yet powerful muscle relaxer, it helps prevent and soothe menstrual cramping while supporting tissue healing.
Motherwort: Called the “herb of the womb” for a reason, motherwort stimulates circulation, reduces stress-related cramping, and balances hormone-induced tension.
How to Use: Pick 3-4 herbs, mix them in equal parts, and use ¼ to ½ cup per steam session.
For Period Cramps & Bloating
Marshmallow Root: This mucilaginous (gel-like) herb coats vaginal tissues, locking in moisture and soothing irritation from friction or hormonal shifts.
Raspberry Leaf: Strengthens uterine tone and improves blood flow, which enhances natural lubrication.
St. John’s Wort: Works directly on nerve endings to ease discomfort and promote pelvic floor relaxation, allowing natural hydration to return.
Dong Quai: Estrogen-modulating and blood-nourishing, it enhances circulation to vaginal tissues and supports hormonal stability.
How to Use: Mix these herbs and use ¼ cup per session. For extra hydration, sip an herbal tea made from raspberry leaf and marshmallow root while you steam.
For Hormonal Balance & Fertility
Lady’s Mantle: A powerhouse for balancing estrogen levels, regulating periods, and strengthening the uterine lining to promote reproductive health.
Rosemary: Supports liver detoxification, which is crucial for clearing excess estrogen and preventing hormonal imbalance symptoms like PMS, irregular cycles, and mood swings.
Damiana: Not just an aphrodisiac, this herb helps balance progesterone, reduce cortisol (stress hormone), and enhance reproductive vitality.
Sage: Acts as a natural phytoestrogen, making it helpful for those experiencing perimenopause, irregular cycles, or hormone-related vaginal dryness.
How to Use: Blend these herbs and steam 1-2 times per week for hormonal support. If you’re steaming for fertility, avoid steaming after ovulation if actively trying to conceive.
For Womb Cleansing & Postpartum Support
Holy Basil: An adaptogen that reduces stress, supports uterine healing, and encourages postpartum recovery. After childbirth, the vagina withstands significant stressors, making postpartum support crucial for recovery.
Sage: Acts as a powerful uterine cleanser, helping the body release stagnation and regulate postpartum hormone shifts.
Lavender: Antimicrobial and deeply soothing, lavender helps prevent infection, relaxes pelvic muscles, and calms the nervous system.
How to Use: Steam 1-2 times per week postpartum, but always check with a midwife or holistic practitioner first.
How to Blend Your Own Yoni Steaming Herbs
Choose 3-5 Herbs That Align with Your Needs: More isn’t always better. You want herbs that complement each other, not a chaotic mix that confuses your system. Stick to 3-5 herbs max, choosing from the ones listed earlier based on your goals:
Mix in Equal Parts: Once you’ve picked your power trio (or quintet), mix them in equal parts, unless one of them is super potent. Herbs like Dong Quai or Sage can be strong, so use them sparingly (think ¼ of the amount compared to the others).
Store Your Blend Like the Sacred Ritual It Is: Air, light, and moisture can reduce the potency of the herbs. Keep your herbs fresh and effective by storing them in an airtight glass jar, away from direct sunlight, and in a cool, dry place (not your steamy bathroom!).
How Much to Use Per Steam Session: The sweet spot is ¼ to ½ cup of dried herbs per session. Any less, and you won’t get enough potency. Any more, and you’re just wasting herbs.
Step 2: Preparing Your Steaming Setup
Steaming directs herb-infused steam into the vagina, making it crucial to prepare the steam correctly to ensure safety and effectiveness.
Your herbs are ready, but before you jump in, let’s get the steam just right. Too hot, and you’re in for a not-so-relaxing experience. Too cool, and you’re basically just sitting over a fancy bowl of tea.
Here’s how to create the perfect balance.
Boil your water. Use an amount that fills the jar or pot that goes beneath you by at least halfway. The goal is to create enough steam to fully reach your vaginal area without uncomfortable levels of heat.
Add your herbal blend. Once the water reaches a boil, pour it over your herbs, put a lid on, and let steep for 5-10 minutes to begin extracting the nourishing properties.
Let it cool slightly. Steam that’s too hot can cause discomfort (or worse, burns), so give it a minute before you position yourself. Test the steam by holding your hand above the pot or jar, and if it feels comfortably warm, you’re good to go.
Step 3: Using a Yoni Steaming Stool for Best Results
Vaginal steaming directs herb-infused steam into the vagina, and using a stool can enhance the benefits of this process.
While some people squat or kneel, most prefer a yoni steaming stool because it allows for better steam flow, a relaxed posture, and a more effective experience.
A yoni steaming stool is designed to position your body in a way that lets the steam fully reach the vaginal area, making your session more comfortable and effective.
What to Do If You Don’t Have a Yoni Steam Stool
No steam stool? No problem. While a yoni steam stool makes things more comfortable and efficient, there are plenty of DIY methods that still get the job done.
Option 1: The Towel & Bowl Method (Best for Comfort)
This method is perfect if you want a seated position without a stool. It softens the experience while still ensuring the steam flows where it needs to go.
How to Set It Up:
Place the hot water & herbs inside a large, heat-safe bowl (ceramic or glass works best).
Wrap a thick towel around the rim of the bowl as it will prevent discomfort while sitting.
Sit on the towel-covered bowl with your knees apart, ensuring the steam flows properly toward your vaginal area.
Drape a blanket around your waist to trap the warmth and prevent the steam from cooling too quickly.
Option 2: Blanket Seal
Short on time? This low-maintenance method is quick, effective, and requires zero extra setup. It mimics traditional steaming positions used in ancient healing practices.
How to Set It Up:
Place your container of herbal-infused steam on the floor.
Squat over it, keeping a stable stance with knees bent.
Wrap a long towel or blanket around yourself to trap the heat.
If squatting is uncomfortable, place a pillow or yoga block under your heels for extra support.
Option 3: The Toilet Method (Best for Beginners)
If you’re new to yoni steaming, this method is the easiest and safest. It takes advantage of an existing seat (your toilet!) to provide a stable, comfortable experience.
How to Set It Up:
Thoroughly clean and sanitize your toilet.
Place a steaming pot inside the toilet bowl.
Sit on the toilet seat as usual, ensuring the herbal-infused steam can rise up toward your vaginal area.
Wrap a towel or blanket around your lower body to trap the warmth and prevent the steam from cooling too soon.
Optimizing Your Yoni Steaming Practice
Steaming at the right time in your cycle makes all the difference.
Best Times to Steam
Here’s how to time your sessions for maximum benefits:
After Menstruation: Clears out residual blood, supports a fresh cycle, and helps reduce clotting and cramping next time around.
Before Ovulation: If steaming for fertility or hormone balance, doing it before ovulation encourages better circulation to the uterus.
Before or After Sexual Intercourse & Childbirth: Helps soothe tissue, improve circulation, and promote healing after penetration or birth.
Who Should Avoid Yoni Steaming?
If Pregnant or Actively Trying to Conceive. Steaming increases blood flow to the uterus, which isn’t ideal if there’s a fertilized egg trying to implant.
If Experiencing a Vaginal Infection or Open Wounds. Heat and moisture can exacerbate infections. Wait until symptoms clear before steaming.
If Using an IUD. The heat can warm the IUD disproportionately which may cause harm to the uterus.
Conclusion
Yoni steaming is about creating a ritual that feels right for you. DIY vaginal steaming puts the power in your hands. Just you, your chosen herbs, and your intention.
Whether you’re here to ease period cramps, balance hormones, support postpartum healing, or simply carve out a moment to slow down and tune in, yoni steaming invites you into a space of softness and care, on your terms.
So, gather your herbs, create your sacred space, and let the steam rise. Feel it meet the parts of you that have been holding tension. Let it melt what’s been stuck. Let it soothe what’s been inflamed. Let it nurture what’s been neglected.
Yoni steaming is a return to your womb, your rhythm, and your right to care for yourself in ways that feel nourishing and real.
So, light the stove. Set your intention. And let the steam carry you home.
Meet Your Author
Danelle Ferreira
Danelle Ferreira is a content marketing expert who writes for women-owned businesses, creating heart-centered content that helps brands grow and messages spread with purpose. Her passion is helping women-led brands craft stories that move people. Her journey into content creation began seven years ago when she launched Ellastrology, an astrology YouTube channel that explored astrological wisdom and human connection. But it wasn’t long before she realized her true calling was in writing, the kind that makes people feel seen, heard, and understood. Now, as a mom, a writer, and an advocate for deeper conversations, she spends her days crafting content that empowers women while staying rooted in authenticity, all from her home in South Africa, surrounded by her loving son, two noisy parrots, and two sweet dogs.