The concept of vaginal steaming isn’t new. Called ‘chai-yok’ in Korea and ‘bajos’ in parts of South Africa, it’s a ritual which has been practised for thousands of years. Our ancestors treated their vaginas to a steam bath in order to boost fertility, whereas current practitioners claim it eases menstrual cramps, hormonal imbalance and yeast infections. Since Gwyneth Paltrow revealed she’s a fan, V-steaming became a hype in California (US), where women pay up to $75 for a single treatment of pussy detox.

The recipe

However, you can easily do it in the comfort of your own home. Some dried herbs (mugwort is good against cramps, but wormwood, rosemary, thyme, oregano and lavender can also be used) and half an hour of me-time, that’s about all you need for a vaginal steaming. Oh, and a few litres of hot water, a pan or bowl that you can put inside your toilet and a big towel to wrap around your waist. It’s also possible to buy a special steam seat.

Four things you should keep in mind before you put the kettle on to create some aromatherapy down under: 1. Don’t steam if you’re on your period. Instead, do it either before or after your menstruation. Also, don’t steam if you’re pregnant or carrying an IUD. 2. Use only (dried) herbs for steaming. Never use essential oils as they are too concentrated and might damage your vaginal tissue. 3. Before steaming, take out any clit piercings. 4. Last, but certainly not least: make sure the steam isn’t too hot – test it with the inside of your wrist before sitting down.

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