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Postpartum herbal bath blends are a mixture of herbs that you can place directly in your bathtub or even in a small basin that fits over your toilet to soak in after giving birth. Many cultures have a tradition of postpartum herbal baths for women to help them recover from the birth experience.

Postpartum herbal baths are an excellent, natural way to soothe tender, inflamed tissue, help heal tears, reduce hemorrhoids, and otherwise pamper yourself after you have your baby. Taking a warm, relaxing bath has lots of benefits all on its own. Water is known to relax, de-stress, and even detox our bodies. Adding herbs to bath time increases these benefits and is therapeutic for your body and mind.

Recommended Read: 3 Simple Postpartum Sitz Bath Recipes

There are many herbs that can be used to soothe tender perineal tissue, heal tears and episiotomies, reduce inflammation, and even shrink hemorrhoids after vaginal birth. Reducing inflammation and soothing irritation is the goal of any good sitz bath, especially for the new mom. Astringent herbs may also support the repair and restoration of stretched tissue. Each of the herbs in this postpartum herbal bath is chosen to help heal various aspects of a woman’s postpartum healing process.

Each herb has a link to show you where to buy herbs for your postpartum bath.

  • Comfrey leaves contain a substance called allantoin, which can both reduce inflammation and promote the growth of new skin cells.
  • Lavender is a multipurpose herb with many benefits. It contains properties to help relaxation, and promotes skin regeneration along with antibacterial properties.
  • Yarrow is used in herbal baths and recipes to treat, among other things, women’s pelvic cramping, intestinal gas, and bloating.
  • Red raspberry leaves can reduce oxidative stress and increase energy produced from our cells
  • Calendula flowers are antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory.
  • Marshmallow root is a nice emollient herb that will help to moisten and soothe inflamed tissues.
  • Goldenseal leaf is the root of this plant that is used as a mucous membrane healer as well as for its anti-microbial properties to reduce infections. 

Postpartum herbal baths can be wonderful after birth and can help speed recovery times. As the physical body enjoys the soothing properties of the herbs, the mind can absorb the calming aroma of the botanicals. Here are a few tips before beginning your postpartum herbal bath.

1. The best time to take postpartum herbal baths is within two weeks of your baby’s birth. Soak in the tub as often as you like during this time period—three or four times a week would be ideal—but try to keep it to an hour at most for each session.

2. You will want to add Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) and baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)to your postpartum herbal bath. These are both great for drawing blood away from the area post-childbirth but are much too harsh if used before or during labor.

3. Fill your postpartum herbal bath with hot water (not too hot—you don’t want to burn yourself) and let the tub fill before you immerse yourself in it.

4. The postpartum herbal baths should be taken in the evening, as herbs have more of an effect post-sunset. In fact, most women report that they sleep better after a postpartum herbal bath than they do after an ordinary bath or shower because of its relaxing effects on the body and mind.

5. If you are finding postpartum herbal baths painful at all, discontinue them immediately for five days, but resume taking them again if this problem continues after this time period is over.

Below you will find simple instructions and easy blend recipes to treat yourself to a few quiet moments of calm and healing. You can always add your favorite essential oils too if desired.

Postpartum Herbal Bath Instructions:

  1. Combine your chosen bath herbs in a large mixing bowl. remember, the proportions don’t need to be exact.
  2. Store in a mason jar or other container for up to a year in a cool, dark place.
  3. Once you’ve combined your bath herbs portion out 1 cup, place in a bowl, and heat water with a tea kettle.
  4. Remove water from heat and pour over your bowl of herbs. Let the herbs steep, as you would a cup of tea.
  5. Strain and add to a bath.
  6. Soak for 20 minutes
  7. Enjoy and relax!

Postpartum Herbal Bath Blends

1. Deep Relaxing Lavender Blend

2. Antiseptic Soothing Blend

  • 1 ounce dried comfrey leaf
  • 1-ounce yarrow blossoms
  • 1/2 ounce myrrh powder
  • 1 ounce dried rosemary leaf
  • 6 cloves of fresh garlic
  • 1/2 cup of sea salt

Peel all the garlic cloves and place them in a blender with 1 cup of water. Blend at high speed until you have a milky liquid and the garlic is completely pulverized. Strain and add it to the final strained blend in this recipe.

3. Soothing Yarrow Blend

4. Skin Relief Blend

  • 2 parts coarsely ground oats (put in a nylon or muslin bag)
  • 2 parts calendula flowers
  • 1 part rose petals
  • 1 part lavender flowers

5. Marigold Relief Blend