Since the dawn of humanity there have always been healers in every community. These healers were revered as important members of society, because they possessed extensive knowledge of the plants and their healing powers. Traditional healers spent countless hours, formulating and experimenting with ways to use these plants, to heal the members of their communities. They also taught the peoples the importance of using the plants to maintain vitality, which today is known as preventative medicine.
Mayan healers and midwives used bajos, an ancient healing practice. Bajos (ba-hoes) is a Spanish word that translates to Vaginal Steam Bath. Traditional Korean healers used this healing method as well, they call it chai-yok. Healers use vaginal steaming to aid women with chronic fertility issues, as well as to maintain healthy fertility.
When you have a Womb Steam it brings heat to the womb. The womb’s specific purpose is to carry life-force, as such, it is a warm organ and requires heat to keep it in top shape! The use of specific herbs adds layers of different healing benefits, depending on the fertility-related health condition being treated. Different herbs have different healing actions. Typically more than one herb was chosen and formulated in a blend, specific to the woman’s unique fertility needs. The combination of herbs work to nourish, tone, heal, bring in fresh oxygenated blood, promote cleansing, and make supple the vaginal and uterine tissues. The moist heat opens the pores of the the tissues it comes into contact with. The water vapor carries the medicinal benefits of the plants, including volatile oils. This is absorbed into the tissues and enters the bloodstream, having a direct healing effect on the reproductive system. Vaginal tissue is one of the most absorbent of the entire female body.
The purpose of the Womb Steam is to aid as an internal cleanser of the membranes of the vaginal tissues and the uterus. This is considered especially important for stagnant fertility conditions, and/or incomplete emptying of menses each cycle. Signs of this are PMS, cramps during your period, brown blood/dark blood/purple blood during menstruation, blood clotting during menstruation, endometriosis, PCOS, absence of menstruation, long cycles (longer than normal), or bleeding less than 4 days per cycle.
Women who may benefit from a Womb Steam would be those with the following conditions: Uterine fibroids, painful menstruation, uterine weakness, uterine prolapse, irregular menstrual cycles, ovarian cysts, endometriosis, reproductive adhesion/scar tissue, previous vaginal tear or episiotomy, and dark purple or brown blood at the onset or end of menses to name a few. But steams are also important for maintaining uterine health, the postpartum period, cleansing from relationships, past sexual partners, women who have experienced miscarriages, and those feeling “stuck” in life.
There are a few cases where a woman should NOT do a Womb Steam, these are: During your period, if you have an active vaginal infection, open wounds, sores, or blisters. Do not do if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant. Lastly, if you have genital piercings, take them out, the heat can cause the piercing to burn you.