by Mary Stemper, CPM, LM

What is an herbal sitz bath?

Sitz baths are shallow baths intended to soak just your bottom. Herbal sitz baths are sitz baths made by adding herb-infused water to the bath, instead of just water or bath salts.

Herbal sitz baths can be an excellent way to relieve pain, reduce swelling, improve healing, and keep your bottom infection-free after giving birth vaginally.

Sitz Bath Herbs: There are many different herbs that are safe and helpful for tissue healing and pain reduction in the postpartum period, including:

• Calendula flowers
• Comfrey leaves
• Lavender flowers
• Plantain leaves
• Rosemary leaves
• Sage leaves
• Uva Ursi leaves
• Yarrow flowers
• Garlic
• Sea Salt
• Epsom Salt

Many postpartum sitz bath blends won’t contain all of these, but some combination of several of them. It is excellent if you are able to find an organic sitz bath blend.

Where can I find these herbs?

It is always possible to make your own blend by harvesting or purchasing herbs from an herb shop or online. Most people end up purchasing a pre-made sitz bath blend like one of the following:

• baby bonito 
• Earth Mama Angel Baby Blend
• Radiant Belly Blend
• Blooma often has postpartum sitz bath herbs in-stock locally.

How do I prepare the herbs?

When preparing a sitz bath, you can think of it like making a very large batch of very strong tea. Use a stock pot and boil water on the stove. Add sitz bath herbs, then remove from heat and let herbs steep in water for at least 4-6 hours (overnight is great). Measurements of herbs and water don’t have to be exact, but generally you would use 1 – 1 ½  ounces of dried herb to one quart of water (1 – 1 ½ ozs = about a handful of dried herbs).

If you make a very strong batch of tea, you can dilute it with warm water when it comes time to use the sitz bath, so the tea is warm on your tissue (although avoid using too hot of water/tea).

Some herbs come in a large tea bag, some herbs you put directly into water to steep, then strain before using.

Feel free to make a large batch, then save what you don’t use in the fridge (herbs are food-grade, so it is best to keep them refrigerated if unused for a few days)

How do I make a sitz bath?

The idea of a sitz bath is that it is just for your bottom. There are basins available at most drug stores, or online that can attach to your toilet, which can be convenient for some people. However, you do not need a special basin at all- you can just use your bath tub. You can pour a few cups of sitz bath ‘tea’ into the tub and add water so that it is about 3-5 inches deep or so (some say up to your hips). If your tea is strong, feel free to add additional water to warm up the bath, or reheat the tea on the stove if needed (be careful it’s not too hot!) Sit in the tub, allowing your bottom to be comfortably soaking in the water. If you prefer, you can also add water to make it a bath of normal depth. There’s no need to sit longer than 15 minutes, but also no harm. Enjoy!

Some people like to use the sitz bath tea in a peri bottle- which can be purchased at a drugstore, or will come with your birth kit. Pour sitz bath tea into the peri-bottle, filling it about half way, and then filling the bottle the rest of the way with warm water, and use to spray instead of wiping after using the toilet.

When and how often should I use herbal sitz baths?

It is safe to use herbal sitz baths quite often, and as soon as you are ready after giving birth. Many midwives suggest even 2-3 sitz baths per day in the first week, but even once a day for the first week or two is very helpful.