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Abby's Magazine - Volume 5 Issue 4| Page 53 The postpartum bath is a tradi on that my midwifery clients have enjoyed for over 30 years, one that I enjoyed a er my own babies were born, and one that I now use as my grown children have their babies. There are many herbs that can be used to soothe tender perineal ssue, heal tears and episiotomies (yes, you CAN take herb baths if you've had s tches!), reduce inflamma on, and even shrink hemorrhoids a er a vaginal birth. (Sorry – immersion in a bath is not appropriate a er a cesarean – but foot soaks with any relaxing herbs, for example, lavender blossoms and rose petals are an absolutely, delicious way to relax and treat yourself to something special!) Preparing the bath is as simple as making a giant pot of tea, and the medicinal liquid can also be made into compresses and peri-rinses as directed below. The bath can be given as soon as an hour, a er a vaginal birth, as long as mom is healthy and there are no signs of infec on. A fresh bath can be taken once or twice daily for three to five days a er birth. Baby can accompany mama into the herbal bath, which also promotes drying and healing of the umbilical cord. When I was dispensing my own botanical products, I generally had to refill orders for postpartum bath herbs several mes as women find them so soothing! So, assemble Healing Herb Baths For New Moms enough herbs or purchase enough herb bath bags for at least 1-2 baths/day for 5 days plus some extra for use in a peri-rinse (squeeze bo le). My 2 Herb Bath Blends for New Mamas Herbal Bath I: Ptpartum Delight A blend of beau ful and fragrant blossoms that is upli ing, soothing, healing, and an sep c. Mix and store these herbs: • 1 ounce dried comfrey leaf* • 1 ounce calendula flowers • 1 ounce lavender flowers • 1/2 ounce dried uva ursi leaves • 1/2 ounce witch hazel blossoms (if you can find them) • 1/2 ounce dried sage leaf • 1/2 cup sea salt Direc ons: Bring 2 quarts of water to a boil. Turn off heat, and place 1 ounce (approximately 1 large handful) of the above mixed herbs (not the salt) into the pot. Steep, covered, for 30 minutes. Strain the liquid well with a fine mesh strainer, and discard the herb material. Add 2 quarts of liquid to the tub, along with the 1/2 cup of salt. Herbal Bath II: Deep Healing Bath Strongly an sep c and astringent, perfect for healing trauma to the perineum, including tears and episiotomies. Mix and store these herbs: • 1 ounce dried comfrey leaf* • 1 ounce yarrow blossoms