Saturday, January 12, 2008

How to Make an Herb Bath for Postpartum Moms

Introduction

Herb baths have been used for centuries to treat many illnesses. They have also been used to promote healing. A postpartum herb bath is a combination of many gentle herbs used to promote healing for bruised and torn perineum tissues after a vaginal birth. In addition to its healing elements, most mothers embrace the sweet smell and love the way it makes their skin feel.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You'll Need

  • 1 oz. comfrey root
  • 1 oz. uva ursi
  • 1 oz. calendula
  • 1 oz. lavender
  • 1 oz. red raspberry leaf
  • Large aluminum pot
  • Cheesecloth
  • Strainer
  • Bathtub

Steps

1

Step One

Fill the aluminum pot with hot water and bring to a boil. Only fill the pot 3/4 full so that you will have plenty of room to add the herbs.
2

Step Two

Once boiling, pour in the comfrey root. Boil for 10 minutes.
3

Step Three

Once the comfrey root has boiled for 10 minutes, turn the burner off.
4

Step Four

Immediately add the rest of the herbs to the pot. Cover and steep for 10 to 15 minutes.
5

Step Five

Place the cheesecloth in the strainer. Make sure it is spread out so that it covers the entire inside of the strainer.
6

Step Six

Place the strainer in a large bowl. Make sure the bowl is large enough to hold all of the liquid.
7

Step Seven

Pour the pot of herbs into the strainer.
8

Step Eight

Make sure all of the herbs are in the cheesecloth. Pull all of the ends of the cheesecloth together keeping the herbs inside. Carefully squeeze the herbs to extract the liquid.
9

Step Nine

Discard the herb roots or use for plant fertilizer.
10

Step Ten

When Mom is ready to take her bath, pour the herb liquid into the tub.
11

Step Eleven

Run warm to hot water in the tub and fill it about 1/2 full.
12

Step Twelve

Have Mom get in and relax in the tub about 20 to 30 minutes.

Tips & Warnings

  • Be extremely careful pouring the herbs from the pot to the strainer. Wear protective handwear to avoid burns.
  • Do not orally ingest the bath herbs. If accidentally ingested, contact poison control immediately.

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