In our busy world it can be challenging to take the time to care for ourselves. The first few days after your labor and birth are full of emotion and awe and it is easy to forget that our bodies need time to heal. Taking a postpartum herbal sitz bath can be a great way to pamper yourself while supporting healing, soothing soreness, aiding in the shrinking of hemorrhoids, reducing inflammation, and preventing infection. A sitz bath is a small plastic tub you put over your toilet that allows you to sit in warm water up to your hips. It is generally regarded as safe to use with tearing and stitches, but limit to once a day. As usual, always check-in with your healthcare provider.

 

This is a fun and easy recipe to make for yourself or to give as a gift:

*Mix 1 cup sea salt with 8-10 oz. dried herbs.

*Store in a glass jar out of direct sunlight.

 

Sea Salt- is a natural detoxifier, providing the minerals the body needs to speed up healing and recovery

A few herbal allies I like  to choose from:

Lavender Flowers- this memorable flower is known to be relaxing and soothing to the mind and body, it promotes restfulness, has antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant properties and helps sooth tired and sore muscles,

Plantain Leaf- this simple garden “weed” is astringent, promotes wound healing and reduces skin inflammation

Yarrow Leaves and Flowers- an effective anti-inflammatory herb that promotes wound healing, relieves smooth muscle spasms, toning herb with antimicrobial actions

Calendula Flowers- this beautiful flower opposes fungi, bacteria, viruses and inflammation, it is used to support healing skin conditions of all kinds

Chamomile Flowers- these small flowers are well-known for their anti-inflammatory  and mild sedative properties, they assist wound healing

Lemon Balm Leaves- this fragrant herb has antispasmodic and nervine properties, it is antiseptic

Witch Hazel Bark- this tree is known for it’s anti-inflammatory and astringent properties, you can also choose to use add ⅓ cup of a liquid commercial preparation to your herbal tea blend

 

To make bath tea: Add 1 cup dried herbal bath blend to 2 quarts boiling water. Let cool to a comfortable temperature before using.

A few ways  to use your postpartum herbal sitz bath tea:

*Sitz Bath- fill sitz bath with warm herbal tea 1-2 times a day

*Frozen Pads- soak overnight pads with herbal tea and place in freezer

*Peri Bottle- fill the bottle with warm tea and use to rinse while using the bathroom

*Herbal compress- soak a washcloth in herbal tea and apply warm or cold to the perineum as needed

 

Enjoy this time to pamper yourself and heal your body. You can add to the mood by turning on some relaxing music and giving yourself a few moments to breathe and reflect. Being a new mom can be a lot to take in, find the support you need to meet your needs.