What is steaming?

What is steaming?

Steaming is a truly universal practice that used to be owned and shared by women all around the world. It is yours, too, regardless of your ancestry. At its very core, its supportive potential stems from heightened circulation of the tissues of the pelvis. Women can achieve this by positioning themselves (think for example squatting/sitting) over a pot with herbs and warm water. It’s as simple as that! This nourishes the Uterus and allows for vitality and aliveness in the whole pelvic bowl.

On a physiological level, by supporting the body to do what she has been designed for. Many common “negative side effects” of having a menstrual cycle such as menstrual pains, cramps, heavy bleeding, mood swings & hormonal imbalances, and any other challenges linked to the reproductive system, have the potential to be addressed and in some cases even fully alleviated. More spaciousness and fluidity in the pelvic bowl equals more flow (lymph, blood, energetic), which can also impact the amount of tension in the area and increase the diversity of sensations, and possibly of pleasure, too.

The practice of pelvic steaming can be regarded as a support for proper uterine lavage, so that with increased circulation in the tissues, the Uterus gets to fully cleanse during the menstruation, normally once per moon cycle. Cleansing – that is what our “period” is in its essence. The Uterus is shedding her lining after the egg was not fertilized, meaning that there is no foetus being developed. Unfortunately, due to the way our lives in this society are “designed” nowadays, most of the things we do work against this process. Therefore, there can be a lot of old residue and debris that could eventually be a cause for pain, discomfort, cramps, brown menstrual blood – you name it. All these symptoms that have become common, but are not normal.

When we steam, our vulvas – that are extremely porous & absorbent mucosal tissues – get to receive the goodness of what carefully selected herbal allies have to offer. Together with warm steam, they move through the tissues towards the rest of the pelvic diaphragm and help the Uterus to shed all that doesn’t need to be in her anymore. It can allow the tissues to lengthen, strengthen, get properly nourished.

One might question the validity of all the above. The rich anecdotal experience of real women can be suggested as another resource when discerning the efficacy of steaming (to read more about various experiences with a plethora of challenges women face day to day and the impact of steaming, look at this website of the Peristeam Hydrotherapy Institute).

And yet another reason why steaming can be so powerful – it is such a gentle, pleasant moment, that allows for the radical, slow, yin-focused tender loving care. The very opposite of how we are meant to be wired these days, with slogans such as “no pain no gain”.

Now, think about it – what are the moments when we connect with our vulvas, think, touch our labia, our cervixes? Most of the time, there is a definite agenda: seeking pleasure or providing pleasure for others, wanting to become pregnant or avoiding pregnancy, or having to face medical exams or procedures. Are there moments of honoring roots, the very foundation of all life? That is what the Womb is – the home of humanity. The creative centre. Are we ever simply sitting with her, giving her and all the tissues and structures interwoven with her the attention they deserve? Steaming is a beautiful opportunity for this. Honoring all women before, and those who follow, including us. These very bodies we are in – embodying all the archetypes on the path: the maidens, the mothers, the virgins, and the crones.

It is never too late to come back home.