Using herbs sourced from your own garden is an empowering way to start your steam journey. However, it is helpful to know the effects of different herbs on the menstrual cycle and how they can potentially affect your menstrual cycle.

Practitioners trained by the Steamy Chick Institute are trained in an herb blending methodology that produces balanced formulas with circulatory, blood tonic, moisturizating, digestive aid and aromatherapeutic herbal properties. Additionally, some blends will need anti-hemorrhagics and qi tonic properties, while others may need more neutral or cooling herbs depending on what is indicated. Practitioners must be capable of producing four distinct types of steam blends–Cleansing, Hemostatic, Disinfecting and Cooling– and know when to recommend them appropriately.

While you are free to experiment with herbs for yourself as you like, you should also consider at least the first two courses of the Peristeam Facilitator certification (which includes the module Easy-to-Make-Vaginal Steam Herb Formulas) before offering to support anyone else through the practice of steaming.