Sitz Bath Herbs

A sitz bath is basically a small hip bath that you sit in to ease the swollen, stretched muscles and tissues around your vagina after giving birth. Sitz baths will also help heal perineal tears.

You can either use a small basin or plastic tub placed in the bathtub that you squat into, or you can buy an inexpensive, and much more comfortable basin that fits right onto your toilet seat.

The Herbs

Calendula flowers (Calendula officinalis) - A great antiseptic, as well as being antifungal and antiviral. It lessens inflammation and cleanses the body via the lymph system. Often used for painful scars, it may be helpful for cesarean scars as well as perineal tears or episiotomy.

Plantain Leaf (Plantago spp.) - Cooling with the effect of drawing out impurities. It coats and soothes mucous membranes and lessens inflammation in tissues.

Comfrey Leaf (Symphytum officinale) - Soothing, constrictive and healing for wounds, cuts and tears. It is a cell proliferant - it promotes speedy wound healing both inside and outside the body.

NOTE: If there is infection present, do not use Comfrey as it will heal the outside so quickly that it may heal over infected tissues inside. Make sure wound is clean before using Comfrey.

Yarrow Leaf and Flowers (Achillea millefolium) - Useful for stopping excessive bleeding and acts as an anti-inflammatory as well as being antibacterial and antimicrobial. Helps to relieve pain. Can also be used for varicose veins.

How to Prepare Your Sitz Bath

Pour boiling water over four ounces of your herbal sitz bath blend
Let it sit and steep for at least four hours
Strain it into a bowl, or directly into your basin
Sit with your vaginal area in the tea for about 15 minutes
Repeat several times a day if you do not have stitches

Enjoy the powerful healing of a simple herbal sitz bath!