What is a Sitz Bath?
A sitz bath is a shallow bath where the water covers up to the hips. The intention is for healing the pelvic floor including the perineum or anus. The water is warm to hot depending on the condition and can incorporate herbal teas and or salts.
Occasions for Sitz Baths include: cuts, abrasions, sores, wounds, inflammation, or surgeries to this lower pelvic area. More specifically conditions include: episiotomies or any natural tearing during child birth, anal fissures, IBS, uterine cramping or any infections in either the vagina, prostate, or rectum.
Another alternative or addition to Sitz Baths is Pelvic Floor Steams, which are therapeutic for cleansing the male and female reproductive organs. (I have written a separate post on Steams.)
Below I am detailing two of the most common reasons for using sitz baths as a healing herbal remedy in the recovery of the pelvic floor: After Childbirth & Healing Hemorrhoids.
Occasions for Sitz Baths include: cuts, abrasions, sores, wounds, inflammation, or surgeries to this lower pelvic area. More specifically conditions include: episiotomies or any natural tearing during child birth, anal fissures, IBS, uterine cramping or any infections in either the vagina, prostate, or rectum.
Another alternative or addition to Sitz Baths is Pelvic Floor Steams, which are therapeutic for cleansing the male and female reproductive organs. (I have written a separate post on Steams.)
Below I am detailing two of the most common reasons for using sitz baths as a healing herbal remedy in the recovery of the pelvic floor: After Childbirth & Healing Hemorrhoids.
After Childbirth
Childbirth is an intense experience for the pelvic floor. Massive contractions and a head (or more than one in some cases) lead to SITZ BATHS! They are so nurturing for mama for a full week after birth. Not only can this Herbal Bath be used to aid in the healing of Mom's tissues, baby can be in the bath and receive the medicinal properties for baby's cord after birth.
During your process of preparing for birth, gather your supplies for your sitz baths. The same herbs can be used for your Peri bottles, too. (Peri Bottles are just plastic squirt bottles that mama takes to the bathroom with her to stay clean after she goes to the bathroom.)
Have you herbs in a glass jar with a measuring scoop next to it. Designate someone to be in charge of always having a fresh batch ready for you to fill your Peri Bottles and once a day take a Sitz Bath with the Herbal Tea.
During your process of preparing for birth, gather your supplies for your sitz baths. The same herbs can be used for your Peri bottles, too. (Peri Bottles are just plastic squirt bottles that mama takes to the bathroom with her to stay clean after she goes to the bathroom.)
Have you herbs in a glass jar with a measuring scoop next to it. Designate someone to be in charge of always having a fresh batch ready for you to fill your Peri Bottles and once a day take a Sitz Bath with the Herbal Tea.
Ingredients for a Sitz Bath after Child Birth
 | Possible medicinal herbs to use are: Uva Ursi, Yarrow, Plantain, Comfrey Leaf & Root, Witch Hazel, German Chamomile, Shepherd's Purse, Lavender, St. John's Wort, Echinacea Purpurea, Sage, Plantain Leaf, & Red Raspberry Leaf. Ask your body what feels good to create your healing. |
The most important medicinal plant in the list is Comfrey because of its strength at healing wounds.
Then, add sea salt after you make the tea. Sea Salt (table salt) is preferable to Epsom Salt.
Make sure it's pure salt, without any scents or additives.
Then, add sea salt after you make the tea. Sea Salt (table salt) is preferable to Epsom Salt.
Make sure it's pure salt, without any scents or additives.
How to Make A Sitz Bath:
-
- Boil 2 quarts of water if using 1 cup of herbs. (You can double this recipe especially if making peri bottles at the same time.)
- Place 1 cup of herbs in your 2 quarts of boiling water and remove from heat. Or you can put the herbs in a muslin cloth bag to contain them.
- Let herbs steep for 15-20 minutes.
- Strain the herbs or pull out the muslin bag of herbs.
- Pour your brewed tea into a clean bathtub or sitz tub.
- Add 1/8 cup of salt directly to the bathtub or sitz tub.
- Add additional water being careful not to over dilute, but creating the perfect temperature. (2-3 inches in the bathtub may be enough. You want your pelvic floor covered.)
- Mama should soak for at least 20 minutes to allow healing to the perineum. If baby is in the bath, too, it’s a good soak for healing the umbilical cord. Just be careful with the temperature if baby is joining.
- Store any leftover tea in a glass mason jar. It should be stored in the refrigerator so it doesn’t go bad.
Sitz Baths For Hemorrhoids
For this condition I prefer Epsom Salts to Sea Salt. You can use a few herbs in your bath as well. Comfrey and Witch Hazel plants are ideal for this condition.
After the soak, it's healing to put a salve with Comfrey and St. John's Wort directly on the hemorrhoids. It feels good if you keep the salve in the refrigerator, then the cold salve application continues to reduce inflammation.
Hibiscus Healing Salve has these ingredients perfect for relieving hemorrhoids.
After the soak, it's healing to put a salve with Comfrey and St. John's Wort directly on the hemorrhoids. It feels good if you keep the salve in the refrigerator, then the cold salve application continues to reduce inflammation.
Hibiscus Healing Salve has these ingredients perfect for relieving hemorrhoids.
Another Tip to Ease the Pain
In either of these cases, the pelvic floor can feel sensitive to the point that it's painful to sit!
For example, a woman's perineum can be so sore it hurts to even sit in the bathtub to take a relieving sitz bath. However, because the sitz bath is imperative to healing the region, we need something to soften the experience.
In this case, use a blow up circular tube to sit on. You can dry it off and use it when you sit in a chair, too, if you need to take the pressure off your bottom.
For example, a woman's perineum can be so sore it hurts to even sit in the bathtub to take a relieving sitz bath. However, because the sitz bath is imperative to healing the region, we need something to soften the experience.
In this case, use a blow up circular tube to sit on. You can dry it off and use it when you sit in a chair, too, if you need to take the pressure off your bottom.
Hibiscus Healing Herbal Blend for Sitz Baths
I highly encourage you to make your own sitz bath blends! If you don't have time, I offer the one I make. It's filled with healing love and herbal plants of: Comfrey, Plantain, Calendula, Arnica, Chamomile, St. John's Wort, Shepard's Purse & Echinacea.
It's good for all the conditions I listed above. Add your own sea salt (1/8 cup per cup of herbs) if you are making a sitz bath for postpartum. Add 1/8 cup of Epsom Salt if you are using it for hemorrhoids. For peri bottle brew don't add salt.
These are pre-measured; 1 cup per pouch. Each order comes with two cups. There is always a lot going on after birth; it can be nice to have this part started for you. Here's the link to purchase: Hibiscus Healing Sitz Bath Herbal Blend.
As always, if you have any questions about Sitz Baths, just send me an email. Heal quickly! Rest well. Peace.
It's good for all the conditions I listed above. Add your own sea salt (1/8 cup per cup of herbs) if you are making a sitz bath for postpartum. Add 1/8 cup of Epsom Salt if you are using it for hemorrhoids. For peri bottle brew don't add salt.
These are pre-measured; 1 cup per pouch. Each order comes with two cups. There is always a lot going on after birth; it can be nice to have this part started for you. Here's the link to purchase: Hibiscus Healing Sitz Bath Herbal Blend.
As always, if you have any questions about Sitz Baths, just send me an email. Heal quickly! Rest well. Peace.
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