sitz baths for Virginia

[Guest guest]

Dear Virginia,

Have you had your baby yet? I jsut noticed we never responded to

your request for sitz recipes.

 

Ayurveda often uses triphala, (three fruits - haritaki, bhibitaki and

amalaki) a classical ayurvedic formula good for many things with

toning, calming and energzing benefit to tissues. Best known for its

use as a bowel toner and laxitave taken warm, my mentor Dr. Shresta

has used it in outlying village " health camps " when she had no other

herbal medicines again, for almost everything. Eye wash, douche,

throat problems, many more. Each individual herb has many properties,

and temp taken makes a difference too. But re sitz, I'd use 2

tblspoons brewed gently 10 minutes in 1.5 - 2 quarts water max.

 

There are many great recipes, and I really don't know what is best.

Usually I don't get involved in these except to brew them, as they

will have been recommended by the midwife or purchased at the natural

foods store by the client already. I had a girlfriend, Jolanta, whose

story is noteworthy though. She made strong brew and took her

newborns into the bath with herself from day one. All 4 lost their

cords healthily in 2-3 days instead of the usual 9-10!

Jolanta's Recipe

Boil in big pot 2 hours, 1 handful each comfrey root and uva ursi leaves

Add 1 whole bulb garlic, blenderized with water and 1/2 handful

Shepard's purse.

Cook 5 - 10 minutes. Strain and save for a second boiling.

 

Add 1 cup epsom salts and the herbal soup to the bath water. You will

gain stronger effect, if needed, using it to bathe baby and your

perineum in a smaller amount of water (baby bathtub and sitz baths).

 

Laura Osborne's Sitz blend

Laura is a childbirth educator and midwife.

Take 1/2 ounce each of Yarrow, Mullein leaves, sage leaves, plantain

leaves, calendula flowers.

Add 1 ounce of comfrey leaves and 1/2 cup sea salt (creates mild saline)

 

Boil a half gallon water, stir in herbs, and let steep, covered, ffor

as long as possible, even up to eight hours (you can start it the

night before use).

 

Strain through cloth. Add enough warm water to sitz in . If you have

had stitches, limit your sitz baths to one or two per day, otherwise

the stitches may dissolve too quickly.

 

Ayurveda suggests your peri-squirt bottle after urination making

turmeric tea in mild saline. It feels wonderful, is antiseptic and

healing and astringing to tissues. Watch out for the color though!

 

Be sure to refrigerate any extra sitz brews, they will grow things

quickly you don't want, or see at first.

 

Please share your favorites, all?

Warm REgards;

Martha