Hot Sits or vaginal steaming is a common practice among women in Jamaica, the Caribbean and Africa. This tradition has been passed down from generation to generation, and is done mainly after giving birth, losing a baby (voluntary or spontaneous abortion) and after the monthly menstrual cycle.
Today, more commonly known as yoni or vaginal steams, hot sits are a way of promoting vaginal health. It is true, and widely believed by many medical practitioners that the vagina cleans itself; however, in most Caribbean and African nations women continue this practice because it is thought to:
- promote circulation in the vaginal and rectal areas
- reduce dysmenorrhea or period pains
- remove the remains post the menstrual cycle
- reduce the chances of getting a urinary tract infection
- resolve recurring yeast infection and other bacterial issues.
- help with improving fertility thereby increasing the chances of pregnancy
- and could possibly reduce the chances of developing cervical cancers
Hot Sits are done using selected herbs, salt and sometimes garlic. However, here are a few herbs that are used:
The Ingredients: Use a handful of each -
The Ingredients: Use a handful of each -
- Guinea Hen Weed Leaves and Roots
- Inflammation Weed (Dog Blood Bush)
- Vervain Leaves
- Neem Leaves
- 2 Tbsps. Salt
- Garlic (optional)
NB: The leaves may be used fresh or dried and should be properly washed. A tablespoon of vinegar may be used to wash the leaves to ensure that any fungus or foreign material is removed from the leaves.
Method
Bring 1/2 gallon of water to a boil then add the the herbs to the water; add two teaspoons full of salt to the water. Allow to boil for a further 5 minutes. Remove concoction from flame and pour into a steam pan, clean bucket or pail.
Sit over the pan as hot as the skin can tolerate. Intermittently do Kegel exercises by pulling the muscles of the vagina in and out.
Bring 1/2 gallon of water to a boil then add the the herbs to the water; add two teaspoons full of salt to the water. Allow to boil for a further 5 minutes. Remove concoction from flame and pour into a steam pan, clean bucket or pail.
Sit over the pan as hot as the skin can tolerate. Intermittently do Kegel exercises by pulling the muscles of the vagina in and out.
Photos of the Inflammation Weed or Dog Blood Bush