There are lots and lots of herbal sitz bath recipes on the web if you do a search for them. Some include only one herb, while others include a whole list of them. I decided to kind of make my own and use what I had on hand (or could easily get my hands on).
Here’s the “recipe” I used to make my post partum sitz baths.
1/2 gallon boiling water
1/2 cup sea salt (or epsom salt, but it doesn’t have the same healing properties)
1/2 cup comfrey leaves
1/4 cup uva ursi leaves
Mix together and let sit, covered, for at least a few hours to steep. Basically what you’re doing is making a really strong herbal tea. Strain into a clean container and keep in the fridge, or freeze in Ziploc bags if you make it ahead.
It can be used in the bath after delivery: just pour a couple of cups into a warm bath and soak for at least 15 minutes. This is my favorite!! Not only do I get a few minutes of “me time”, it has really helped relax my sore muscles.
Can be used in a squirt bottle to use after going to the bathroom.
Can also be used to make “ice packs”. Just pour a bit onto panty liners and freeze. Then place over a regular pad to help ice your perineum. They don’t stay cold for long though. Oh, and they don’t freeze solid since it’s salt water.
Not only does this sitz bath help promote healing because of the herbs and sea salt, it does wonders for sore and achy muscles. And after hours of contractions, you’re muscles are gonna be sore!
I sure wish I had known about herbal baths after my first delivery, I think it would have made a world of difference in how I felt!
- ½ gallon boiling water
- ½ cup sea salt (or epsom salt, but it doesn’t have the same healing properties)
- ½ cup comfrey leaves
- ¼ cup uva ursi leaves
- Mix together and let sit, covered, for at least a few hours to steep.
- Strain into a clean container and keep in the fridge, or freeze in Ziploc bags if you make it ahead.
- It can be used in the bath after delivery: just pour a couple of cups into a warm bath and soak for at least 15 minutes.
- Can be used in a squirt bottle to use after going to the bathroom.
- Can also be used to make “ice packs”. Just pour a bit onto panty liners and freeze. Then place over a regular pad to help ice your perineum.
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About Donielle
Hi,
I was looking at the uva ursi leaves on Mountain Rose herbs, and in the info, it states that uva ursi should not be used by pregnant or nursing women. Do they mean taken internally? I don’t want to give my sister-in-law anything that could cause problems with nursing/her baby.
Thank you.
[Reply]
donielle Reply:
March 18th, 2011 at 12:25 pm
@Melissa Z, Yes – I believe that’s just when taken internally. Though if you’d rather, you can leave it out as well.
[Reply]