Buzz
A bunch of mugwort leaves
A bunch of lime or grapefruit leaves, or even loquat leaves
A bunch of guava leaves
A bunch of lemongrass leaves
A bunch of lavender leaves (replaceable with bamboo leaves)
A bunch of purple basil leaves (known as sweet basil in the North) - Pentagonal leaves
A pack of postpartum steaming herbs (available in any traditional Chinese medicine store, very affordable, and can be used multiple times)
Newspaper or banana leaves
You can find all these types of leaves at herbal stores in the market, and they come at a very affordable price.
Herbal postpartum steaming pot
Executing postpartum steaming
Step 1: Prepare a clay pot as it retains heat excellently (if not available, you can use a cast iron or stainless steel pot).
Step 2: Collect and thoroughly wash these leaves with water, let them dry for a while.
Step 3: Pour water into half of the pot, then add the postpartum fumigation packet and arrange various herbal leaves on top in the pot. Keep stacking randomly until the pot is full; there's no specific order for arranging the leaves.
Step 4: Seal the pot's mouth with banana leaves (you can use a folded newspaper as an alternative) and then cover the pot with its lid.
Step 5: Boil the pot of water vigorously for about 20-30 minutes, then remove it from the stove.
Postpartum Steam Bath Procedure
- Once the steaming pot is boiling, immediately bring it into the bathroom or bedroom for steaming; avoid steaming when it cools down.
- Grab a large blanket or towel to drape over yourself and the steaming pot. If you find the steam insufficient, add more water and continue boiling for abundant steam.
- Steam for about 15 minutes; during the process, if you notice profuse sweating, use a towel to dry yourself off.
- After steaming, it's advisable not to dispose of the steaming water immediately. Instead, use it by mixing with warm water for a subsequent shower. These are all natural herbs with delightful fragrances, making them perfect for a refreshing shower, moms!
Postpartum glimpse of Mom Duyên here
Considerations for Postpartum Steam Bath
- During the steam bath, moms should completely undress, avoiding wearing any clothes. Just wear underwear, and that's sufficient.
- Steam between 2 pm to 4 pm; avoid evening steaming as it may feel chilly. Always dry your hair after showering.
- During the steam, there's a surge in milk production; take advantage and express milk for your baby as it may flow naturally.
- Steam daily for optimal results or alternate days, continue until the baby is a month old.
- If time permits, continue until the baby is 3 months old; at this point, limit steaming to 1-2 times a week.
Benefits of Steam Bathing
- The excess water accumulated during pregnancy (often referred to as swelling due to the body retaining a significant amount of water and tissues during the gestational period) is effectively addressed through steaming.
- The essential oils from various herbal leaves also aid in rapid weight reduction, firming the body, and providing a remarkably relaxing postpartum recovery.
- Just after a week of consistent steaming, I felt nearly restored to my pre-pregnancy state, with clean discharge and a rapid reduction in weight.
Source: Mỹ Duyên
Must-Reads for Moms
- 12 Postpartum Taboos Every Mom Should Know
- Traditional Home Remedies for Pregnant Women's Health
- How Japanese Moms Never Have to Lose Postpartum Belly Fat
