a body-mind approach to chronic illness
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yoni
and
lingam
steaming
how to do yoni steaming at home
When I was doing research into Louis Kuhne’s steam bath method I came across yoni steaming. I realized that it is almost identical to the seated version of Kuhne’s steam bath. I was fascinated and set out to learn more. Yoni is the Sanskrit name for vagina, and so yoni steaming can also be called vaginal steaming or simply V-steaming. Men can do it too, and then it’s called lingam steaming.
Yoni steaming is generally used by women to improve fertility and by men for prostrate health and sexual performance.
The wonderful thing about steaming is that you can do it at home without any special equipment.
At a bare minimum all you’ll need is pot of hot water and a towel. If you want to get fancy, you can include something to sit on, a bath robe, an electric burner, and maybe a few herbs.

how to yoni steam at home without equipment
All you will need is one or two pots of water, a few towels, and maybe a trivet.
Fill a large pot with water. Leave about an inch of space at the top to avoid spillage. Boil the water then remove from heat. Place it on the floor (use a trivet or folded towel to protect the floor). Wrap one towel around the pot to protect your legs from the heat, and kneel with your knees on either side of the pot for about 10 minutes. Cover yourself with another towel to prevent most of the steam from escaping. If you’d like you can could add herbs to the pot for a more sensual and aromatic experience.
This method is easy to set up and gives you a good idea of what steaming is all about. The downside though, is that kneeling over a pot for 10 minutes can become rather uncomfortable.
yoni massage stool
If you feel you’d like to do yoni or lingam steaming regularly then you want to invest in a steam stool. This is a small stool with a hole in the middle to let the steam through. If you don’t want to spend money place two chairs facing each other a few inches apart and sit in the middle.
gown or cloak
Louis Kuhne used a blanket to cover his patients during steaming. This kept them warm and kept the steam from escaping. My wife would be extremely pissed off if she ever discovered I was using her blankets for steaming. So I looked for keep-my-wife-happy alternatives. All you need is a sarong or a bath robe to cloak the steam. The Koreans wrap themselves up in a plastic cloak to keep the steam in, but I don’t like the feel of steaming with plastic.
plastic
I’m sometimes a bit of a cheapskate so I’m always looking for a bargain. All of the bargains unfortunately come in plastic: plastic chairs, plastic basins, and plastic cloaks. Plastic breaks down when exposed to heat and steam releasing micro plastic and chemicals into the air that are harmful to your health.

yoni massage stool
If you’d like to do yoni steaming regularly then you want to invest in a steam stool - this is a small stool with a hole in the middle to let the steam through. If you don’t want to spend money place two chairs facing each other a few inches apart and sit in the middle. I recommend getting a specially made cushion as well. I got mine on Etsy.
electric burner
The pot will stop producing steam after a few minutes so I use two pots. While I’m sitting over one the other is on the stove. However this is a bit bothersome if you want to sit for a long time.


Photo by Yaroslav Shuraev at Pexels
herbs
Yoni steam ingredients generally involve some combination of the following herbs:
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Basil (cleansing)
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Rosemary (anti-bacterial and anti-microbial)
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Oregano (antiseptic)
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Calendula (anti-inflammatory)
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Motherwort (cleansing, pain-relieving)
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Mugwort (all purpose)
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Lavender (anti-microbial)
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Marigolds (anti-inflammatory)
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Thyme (anti-bacterial and anti-microbial)
ambiance
When I first started steaming I took a practical approach to it and I found it boring. The act of steaming is very relaxing. Lean in to it. Instead of using your 10 or 30 minute steam session as another chance to multi task - let yourself relax and enjoy the experience.
Steaming is a great time to meditate, journal, read a book for fun, listen to music, paint, draw, or just do whatever relaxes you!
Let this be your time. You don’t need to meet a deadline or do anything perfectly. Let the stress of the day melt away with the steam.

safety
It’s very important that you take precautions to ensure your health and safety whenever you yoni steam. Here are a few important steps to take to avoid any potential yoni steam side effects and risks:
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If the steam is too hot, you could burn the sensitive vaginal tissues. Make sure when you sit/squat above the steam, you feel comfortable with the temperature of the steam and are not simply “bearing the heat”.
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Do not steam longer than 30 minutes. We recommend that you talk with a yoni steam practitioner about the length of steam time that is best for you.
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Make sure your pot and any other equipment you use are thoroughly cleaned before use, in order to avoid unnecessary irritation and infections, such as yeast infections.
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Yoni steaming is not recommended during your period or during pregnancy.