After-Birth Sitz Bath Herbs

I’ve always thought that after labor, women should be able to look forward to a nice quiet vacation and recovery time. Since of course this doesn’t happen and instead we get a precious and wonderful (though not always wonderfully sleeping) baby, and the lack of sleep that often accompanies, this recipe is at least a little (healing) pampering to look forward to after birth.

Herbs can be wonderful after birth and can help speed recovery times. I’ve used my healing salve on both a c-section scar and a small tear (after the second day) to speed healing and they worked great. This recipe is for an herbal infusion that is added to a relaxing bath to help ease any soreness and speed recovery. It can also be brewed and added to a Peri Bottle or cooled pad for extra comfort.

If you don’t have all of the herbs, even some of them will help… This makes a wonderful addition to a new-mommy gift basket along with some homemade natural baby care items and lotion bars for mom.

These are the specific herbs I purchased:

• Comfrey Leaf
• Lavender Flowers
• Plantain Leaf
• Red Raspberry Leaf
• Yarrow Flower
• Calendula Flowers

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup Comfrey Leaf
• 1/2 cup Lavender Flowers
• 1/4 cup Plantain Leaf
• 1/2 cup Red Raspberry Leaf
• 1/4 cup Yarrow Flower
• 1/4 cup Calendula Flowers
• 1/4 cup Shepherd’s Purse
• 1/4 cup Uva Ursi Leaf
• 1/4 cup Sea Salt or Epsom Salt

Instructions:

Mix herbs in a glass container or plastic bag. I used a half gallon mason jar. The proportions don’t have to be exact. Store for up to a year in a cool, dark, place.

How to Use:

• For bath use: add 1 cup of herbs to 2 quarts of boiling water. Remove water from heat and let sit for 20 minutes. Strain and add to a bath and soak for 20 minutes. Both mom and baby can soak to speed cord and perineum healing.
• Brew with the above ratios and add to a Peri Bottle for use after going to the bathroom.
• Pour some pre-brewed herbal mix on to pads and freeze for a pain relieving ice pack.
• Use a diluted mix around baby’s cord for healing.

Have you ever used herbs post birth? Did they help you? Share below!