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Bringing a new life into this world is an extraordinary, but difficult experience. So often we are focused on baby in those first few days, with good reason, yet it’s also essential to prioritize Mama during this postpartum period.
Your healing and self care should also be a concern and top priority. One soothing way to take care of Mom, with an added healing bonus, is to do an herbal bath postpartum. In this article we will talk about what an herbal bath is, the benefits that can come from them, and some options you can to promote healing in your postpartum recovery.
Key Takeaways:
- Postpartum herbal baths can help aid in recovery from birth, you can sit for as little as 15-20 minutes or as long as you can.
- You do not have to be immersed in a bath to have access to healing remedies. You can fill a shallow bath, use a sitz bath basin, padsicle, or peri bottle as well.
- There are premade versions available to you so you don’t have to try to make your own.
Table of Contents
What is a Herbal Bath Postpartum?
A postpartum herbal bath is where specific organic herbs are brewed and added to a bath, or sitz bath, in the aid of healing your vaginal and perineal areas. Specific herbs known for their healing and anti-inflammatory properties are steeped, and a portion of that mixture is added to a bath.
A postpartum mother can then sit in this mixture for 10-20 minutes or longer depending on stitches, and her recovery. She can do this 1-3 times a day for up to two weeks. This can be a very soothing and even healing experience after the process of labor and delivery.
If you’re needing help managing visitors during this time, check out our article on how to say no.
What are the Benefits of Postpartum Herbal Baths?
There are significant benefits of herbal baths or herbal sitz baths for a postpartum mother. The benefits can include:
- Soothing and speed perineum healing
- Helping reduce and heal hemorrhoids
- Reducing itching
- Healing anal fissures
- Reducing pain and swelling
- Preventing infection
- Promoting postpartum healing
How to Enjoy your Postpartum Herbal Bath
Depending on how you delivered you may be able to have an immersive bath shortly after delivery. This will immediately begin to help soothe your vaginal area and promote healing. If you cannot or do not want to be immersed, that’s ok, you can add only a few inches of water in the tub and soak for a few min before getting out or use a sitz bath (see below for description). You can even alternate between the two in the days after delivery. Here are a few ways you can enjoy the herbal bath.
With a Cup of Tea
To prolong the relaxation of the bath, you could brew a cup of soothing raspberry or chamomile herbal tea to sip while you soak. Aiding in your relaxation
Dim the Lighting
By adding candlelight or dimming the brightness of the lights, you can allow yourself to more fully relax and release tension accumulated from delivery.
With or Without Company
An herbal bath can be enjoyed alone or with the whole family. It can be so nice to have a moment of alone time to fully breathe and relax. Perhaps you would feel more comfortable with your partner or a doula with you. You can reflect and share experiences surrounding the birth to help heal from it as well. Sometimes it can be nice to have your new baby join you (check on umbilical care guidelines). You can also see our article on How to Care for a Newborn Umbilical Cord
How do you Prepare an Herbal Bath?
Depending on whether you have bought your own herbs or have purchased a premade sachet/herbal blend may change the preparation behind your herbal bath. Follow the directions on your purchased sachet for its intended use.
How to Prepare an Herbal Bath:
1) Bringing a large pot of water to a boil
2) Turning the water down to a simmer before adding your herbs
3) Let the organic postpartum herbs steep for 15-20 min or for a few hours. You can then take a portion of that to your bath, or a sitz bath to soak in.
4) refrigerate the rest of your herbal mixture and use it within a few days.
You want to have a higher concentration of your herbal mix to soak in for the first 10 min before adding in more water. Make sure that the hot water is not too hot.
Another tip: put down a clean cloth or towel into the bath for you to sit on for a little extra cushion.
If you cannot immerse yourself, don’t have a tub, or simply don’t have the energy to draw a full bath there are other ways you can gain the healing benefits of the herbs.
Are there Other Options if I Can’t Submerge Myself?
The good news is yes! There are other options available capitalizing on herbal remedies without immersing yourself in a tub. Remember you can do these up to 1-3 times a day. Consult with your healthcare provider for more information.
Sitz Baths
You have seen this term mentioned several times in this article so far and may be curious what these are. Sitz baths are little basins that rest on the toilet where you can soak your perineal region. They have little holes on the back or sides so that if you accidentally overfill it, the water will simply fall into the toilet bowl instead of your floor.
You can soak without getting in a tub or if you don’t have the option of a tub. Its also great from new moms with c-sections incisions that cannot soak. Or postpartum moms with hemorrhoids.
Simply add your brewed infusion to the sitz bath and take a few minutes to relax. Sitz baths can be found at most stores like Walgreens, Walmart, Amazon, and Target.
Frozen Pads or Padsicles
With this method you take pads (overnight pads), dip them into your herbal solution, re-wrap them, put them in a gallon bag and freeze them. They will act as a cool and nice “ice pack” until melted without creating a mess. The herbal solution will help speed up recovery time of your perineal area and reduce swelling.
My aunt is a wonderful midwife who practiced for more than 20 years and helped prepare these for me, and I really think they saved me with my 4th degree tear and healing. Especially in the early days when you are bleeding, aching, and trying to right yourself after birth. If you are going to use your own brewed herbal solution, you will simply take the pad and quickly dunk it in the solution. Then wrap it up and freeze.
Warm Compress
You can take a clean washcloth and dip it into the warm or cool water of your herbal solution then apply it to your perineal area to help reduce pain and swelling. You can leave it there for a few minutes, or dab.
Peri-rinses
Taking your prepared herbal infusion, add some warm water (not hot) or witch hazel in your peri bottle to use after you have gone to the restroom. Or when you feel achy down below. I also did this, and feel like it helped reduce my pain and swelling as well. Even if you do not make the herbal solution, doing a little bit of epsom salt, or just warm water peri rinse really can help.
Just remember after all of these methods, it is best to gently dab your perineal area dry, not wipe or scrape.
Safety Tips
Some safety tips to keep in mind for an herbal bath are:
- Immersive baths are not recommended after a Cesarean birth (C-Section)
- Have someone available to support you as you enter and exit the tub
- Have your partner, or your midwife/doula, hand your baby to you after the bath has had a chance to cool down a bit. Your baby’s skin will be more sensitive to heat.
- Once prepared the herbal bath concentrate should be refrigerated within 24 hours of preparation (remove the herbs first), and then used within three days.
- The bath preparation is not tea to be drunk! Be sure everyone in your household realizes this, especially if it is in a container in the fridge
What are the Best Herbs for an Herbal Bath?
These are a list of the most common healing herbs I found used across doula sites, midwifery accounts and herbalists. As always consult with your healthcare provider before adding in any herbal medicine, especially if you are taking other medication and have any allergies. Please note that some of these herbs may be added at different stages of healing depending on their properties.
- Organic Calendula Flower, also known as Marigold: Calendula is a powerful yet gentle herb. It contains anti-inflammatory properties, aids in wound healing, and helps with tissue repair (especially perineal tissues.)
- Organic Comfrey Leaf: Comfrey is used for its regenerative and healing properties. Comfrey leaves added to herbal baths can help minimize postpartum swelling, aid in tissue repair, and can help with perineal tears. An important note is that comfrey should not be used if there are open wounds.
- Organic Chamomile: Chamomile has calming and relaxing effects. By adding chamomile in your herbal bath, you get double benefits. Chamomile will help relieve stress, calm anxiety, and promote better sleep. It also contains anti-inflammatory properties to help reduce swelling.
- Organic Lavender: Lavender flowers are another double strength herb. It is well known for its calming aroma and soothing properties that will help in muscle relaxation, but it also contains antimicrobial properties to help prevent infection.
- Organic Rosemary: Rosemary is a multi strength herb. Putting rosemary in your herbal bath will not just add fragrance, but can improve blood circulation, promote mental clarity and focus, reduce muscle soreness, and it contains antiseptic properties.
(If you’re feeling like you need more mental clarity, read our article about tips for “Mom Brain”)
Other common additives are: garlic cloves, organic shepherd’s purse, organic yarrow flower, organic uva ursi, organic plantain leaf, organic witch hazel, and sea salt.
Premade Herbal Bath Solutions
Below you’ll find a variety of our favorite finds for premade bath solutions.
Overall Favorite
Birds and Bees Teas-Organic Herbal Sitz Bath Soak
These are a great brand of sitz baths, with organic, and simple ingredients. So you know exactly what you have in your sachets. It comes with 4 sachets. Making it worth its price. One sachet can go a long way by keeping it in your fridge to help with padsicles, sitz baths, or peri bottle rinses.
Pure Epsom Salt
If you aren’t sure you want any herbal leaves or flowers in the bath with you, try sky organics out. It is a high quality epsom salt. This particular version is non fragrant and pure. So it will be nice to soak in the tub or sitz bath with.
Best Bang For Your Buck
Noelle’s Naturals Organic Postpartum Herbal Bath
These are a great bang for your buck. It comes with 7 prefilled packets filled with Comfrey Leaves, Chamomile flowers, Lavender, Raspberry Leaves, Yarrow Flowers, Calendula Flowers, Uva Ursi Leaves, Plantain Leaves, and Epsom Salt.
Midwifery and Doula Backed
Wishgarden Herbs: Afterbirth Sitzbath New Mother’s Healing Respite
This particular blend is recommended by many doula’s and midwives. It is filled with an organic herbal blend to help you heal and recovery from this premade mixture.
Final Thoughts
The postpartum period can be a time of adjustment for you and your new baby. As a new Mom your whole world has just shifted. Taking a few minutes of self care in your day can help you feel a little more like you. Your body is trying to heal, and a great way that you can aid it in its recovery is with an herbal bath. If you have used an herbal bath or any of the other options, leave us a comment and let us know.
Niki Cowan has a background in Medicine and Public Health. She is a Certified Health Education Specialist as well as a Medical Assistant. She’s passionate about Women’s Health and empowering women in their journeys. She is married to her wonderful husband Kevin, and they have an active son. While trying to have another little one hasn’t worked out yet, she is pursuing her passions and hoping to gain further education and experience in the area she loves, while playing with her son. She’s an avid reader, Original Great British Baking Show watcher, and very amateur kickboxer.
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