Yoni Steams

The concept of doing vaginal steams is still a very active practice in cultures across the world that have retained their traditional wise woman healing ways. 

In Malaysia a v-steam is an important component of the postnatal body treatment and given before the oil massage as the steam heats a mama’s body both internally and externally, softening her body and opening her pores for the massage to be even more effective.

In many traditions in Mayan and other Central American traditions Vaginal steaming is used as a way to treat various uterine issues. In Spanish it is called ‘bajos’ and is one of the first thing traditional healers call on when any sort of vaginal or uterine issues arises.

V-steams (also sometimes called yoni steams) bring heat to the womb. The use of specific herbs work in combination with each other to nourish, tone, heal, bring in fresh oxygenated blood, promote cleansing, and shrink the swollen vaginal and uterine tissues after pregnancy and childbirth. The moist heat opens the pores of the tissues it comes into contact with. The water vapor carries the medicinal benefits of the plants, including volatile oils. This is absorbed into the tissues and enters the bloodstream, having a direct healing affect on the reproductive system as vaginal tissue is one of the most absorbent of the entire female body.

A mama sits over a specially designed box that is placed over a large pot of hot water; herbs are added to the water which causes herbal steam to rise up into the vaginal area, bringing with it all the healing properties of the herbs. 

V-Steams are used postpartum primarily as a uterine lavage to ensure that all fluids after childbirth are being dispelled and are flowing as they are meant to be. It has the added benefit of introducing heat directly into the womb space via the vagina.

In many traditions of holistic midwifery care a vaginal steam is given within the first 9 days after childbirth. Some do it immediately, some at day 3, some day 6 and some day 9. Others wait until 6 weeks postpartum. Mayan tradition often does it on day 9 as the Mayan works with the number 9 as a

sacred number. Up to 3x within the first 9 days.

This is a traditional tool for Well Woman Care! This means that it should only be used postpartum after a birth that falls in the range of ‘normal’ and qualifies for well woman care.

For Fertility

Vaginal steams are a wonderful way to maintain a healthy yoni. They are great if one of the challenges is implantation because the steam helps make the lining of the womb supple and hospitable.

This is best done a week before your period— so knowing your cycle through regular charting is an important practical tool. You can do it 1-3 times during that week and continue each month until your bleeding is cramp free and pink/ bright red rather than dark or clotty.

Benefits of V-steams After Childbirth

• Helps softens and melts blood clots in the lochia for easy passing

• Reduces uterus swelling

• Reduces excessive vaginal discharge

• Eliminates foul odor

• Enhances the healing of tears and cuts in the vaginal area

• Helps tighten the pelvic floor muscles

• Reduces the possibility of vaginal infection and itchiness

• Helps cleanse and deodorize vaginal area (the vagina is great at self cleaning, when we say that it helps cleanse we mean that it supports the overall system giving it strength to do its job well!)

What about after a cesarean?

A mother should wait at least 6-8 weeks after a cesarean to have a vaginal steam. This is because it is generally risky to introduce that amount of heat to an area that had a recent incision and is healing in a different way. A mother who has had a cesarean birth can still benefit from a vaginal steam, she will just have to wait a bit longer to reep the benefits. For both the mothers and the mother roasters safety the postpartum mother may want to get the go ahead from her care provider before receiving the steam.

**Caution**

Do not use essential oils in the Vsteam because they may burn the delicate tissues of the perineum area.

Do not steam the perineum area if:

If there is hemorrhage

If there are open wounds, such as a tear, or stitches as this could cause pain and swelling

If the woman has an IUD

If there is the existence of a fever, uterine infection, vaginal sores or blisters

Herbs for Postpartum V-steams

The herbs used in after birth v-steams are a blend of herbs that have various healing qualities known to support feminine health! All herbs used for vaginal steaming are chosen for their aromatics. It is the volatile oil along with the steam itself that is carried up into the vaginal tissues to do its work.

Our top 3 herbs for v-steams

Oregano: Used for its antiseptic, stimulating and strengthening qualities

Basil: Increases blood circulation, anti-biotic properties, relieves headaches

Marigold Petals: Uterine and hormonal tonic (note* for the vaginal steam purposes you want the aromatic variety of marigold, not calendula)

Other great herbs for v-steams

Rosemary: Increases blood circulation to the reproductive organs, anti septic

Motherwort: Traditionally used specifically for fibroids and polyps

Lavender: Nourishes and relaxes the nervous system. It serves as an antispasmodic and antiseptic the perennial tissues

Mugwort: Traditional Korean/Chines her used for blood circulation and to awaken the Qi

Rose Petals: Gentle astringent to the tissue, fragrant

Plantain Leaf: Astringent, gentle antifungal, repairs internal tissues/organs, antiinflammatory

Chamomile: Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, + anti-spasmodic

Partridge Berry: Classic uterine tonic

Thyme: Is typically warm, anti fungal, + antioxidant

Yarrow: Uterine tonic, pelvic circulatory, anti spasmodic

The Process

1. Fill a rice cooker 2/3 the way full, close the cover and turn on

2. When it is boiling add 1-2 cups of the dried herb mix into

3. the rice cooker with water and let boil for 10 minutes, then turn off and let mixture steep covered for 10min.

4. Place rice cooker with herbs in the yoni sauna/chair

6. Sit on the sauna to begin the yoni steam. You should sit on the steam for 15-20 minutes.

7. Wrap several large cloths or blankets around yourself, one for the bottom half of the body and one for the top around the shoulders. Wrap from the waistdown over the steam to hold in the heat.

8. Make sure that your feet are covered in socks or you could even use a flax seed back slightly warmed to keep your feet warm during the steam.

NOTE: Each person's tolerance to heat will be different. If you feel the steam is too hot, un-wrap the blanket and let out steam until the level of heat is comfortable and then re-wrap yourself. You can do this as many times as you likes. Usually unwrapping for a count of 10 seconds is enough to lower the amount of steam to a comfortable level.

9. After 15-20 min. when you are done you should immediately lie down and wrap yourself in a warm dry blanket for 20min to an hour to allow the steam and the heat to continue its work.

10. At the end of the steam offer the herbs back to the earth. Place in compost or in Garden.

*Have pads on hand for after steam.

∗Be sure to bring awareness to your womb space as you are steaming. You can invite your womb to be strengthened and nourished while giving your womb permission to release anything that is not serving her.

∗Due to the blood being stimulated, your face may become red and you may sweat. This is normal.

∗Make sure there is a cup of water or herbal tea for you to drink.

*After the steam, you will need to lie down for approximately 20 min to an hour. Your uterus will be working in response to the steam, so you should allow yourself time to rest and allow it to do its job.

*Mothers may notice some uterine cramping and/or increase in discharge directly after steaming. In extreme cases it can even smell foul or mother can have dark syrupy discharge or even small clots. Some woman who have gone through menopause, may even release old blood after a steam!

From the Sacred Postpartum & Sacred Fertility programs

For information on how to receive this service please visit our Services page, or email Sarah: SarahJosey@GoldenPoppyHerbs.com

Flower Essences for the Fertility Journey

Flower essences are herbal infusions or decoctions, made from the flowering part of the plant, which uniquely address emotional and mental aspects of wellness. The first 38 flower remedies were formulated by a British physician, Dr. Edward Bach, in the 1930's, although new remedies from other plant species are now available.

How do flower essences work?

To understand how flower essences work requires a recognition that the human being is more than a physical body, but also incorporates a "body" of life energy, a "body" of sensitivity and feelings, and a spiritual essence or Self. Flower essences are energetic imprints of the life force of plants which interact with these subtle bodies of the human being, and evoke specific qualities within us. We can say that they work in a similar way to inspirational music or art, which carry meaning through the vehicle of sound or light, while the flower essences work through the medium of water.

Modern physics has known for nearly a century that matter and consciousness are intertwined. However, medical science still generally works with a nineteenth century model of the human being as a mechanism in a world of machines. We expect that in the coming century medical science will develop ways of studying the impact of consciousness on health, and we will learn more about the ways in which flower essences work. However, empirical research, which consists of the collection of case studies and practitioner reports, will remain the primary source of knowledge about how flower essences work.

How are flower essences used?

Flower essences can be used in a number of ways. The most common way is to take them orally, four drops, four times a day. Our experience shows that it is not necessary to take them internally. They can also be used by adding five to seven drops in a plant sprayer bottle and misting a room or our bodies. You can also add a few drops to the bath, spray clothes before ironing them, or spray your pillow before sleeping. What is important to remember is that they are a vibrational essence, and surrounding yourself with them, inside or outside, is the best way to experience their effects.

The following are some of the categories of emotions that tend to arise when travelling down the Fertility Journey path. Look through the categories and read about the essences that are in each category to find the one's that best fit you are your particular situation.

(from the Flower Essence Society)

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From the Alaskan Essence Society:

Align­ment

• between phys­ical, emo­tional, mental, and spir­i­tual levels—Alpine Arnica, Mala­chite
• between the male and female ener­gies in our body—Blue Poppy
• deep realign­ment with one's highest pur­pose in life—Ladies' Tresses
• restores align­ment between the spir­i­tual and phys­ical bodies—Alpine Arnica
• strengthens cen­tral ver­tical align­ment—Rutile
• with the power of one's per­sonal truth—Cat­tail Pollen
• with Uni­versal sources of energy and infor­ma­tion—Ruti­lated Quartz, Silver, Topaz

Ances­tral Healing

• clearing ances­tral pat­terns—Cinnabar, Cotton Grass, Fire­weed, Liard Hot Springs, Nootka Lupine, Northern Lights, Purifi­ca­tion
• for estab­lishing and strength­ening bound­aries—Hematite, Pyrite
• for healing ances­tral pat­terns that are blocking our ability to receive—Go-Create
• for non-judgement and accep­tance of what we inher­ited—Pearl, Rein­deer Moss, Sphagnum Moss
• for pro­cessing inher­ited anger—Blue Elf Viola
• for under­standing the ori­gins of our family pat­terns—Black Spruce, Nootka Lupine, Sitka Burnet, White Lupine
• opening to the pos­i­tive sup­port of our ances­tors—Golden Cory­dalis, Yellow Dryas

Anger

• helps one calm down after being angry—Valerian
• main­taining a strong sense of self when dealing with anger—Tiger's Eye
• resolving old anger—Moun­tain Worm­wood
• under­standing and releasing anger through the heart—Blue Elf Viola

Anx­iety

• calms mental anx­iety—Aqua­ma­rine, Blue Topaz, Goats­beard, Valerian
• from being over­whelmed—Paper Birch, Purple Poppy, Red Elder, Stinging Nettle
• soothes anx­iety as we con­front change—Redoubt Vol­cano

Attach­ment

• for attach­ment to dis­trac­tion—Bunch­berry
• let­ting go of attach­ment to old wounds and griev­ances—Cotton Grass, White Lupine
• let­ting go of attach­ment to the form of what has been—Bog Blue­berry, Glacier River, Green­land Icecap
• let­ting go of inap­pro­priate emo­tional attach­ment to others—Moun­tain Worm­wood
• releasing attach­ment to old emo­tions—River Beauty
• releasing attach­ment to pain—Cotton Grass
• releasing attach­ment to the form our sup­port must take before we are willing to accept it—Spi­raea
• releasing inap­pro­priate attach­ment to the ego—Round-Leaved Sundew

Aware­ness

• clearing and focusing aware­ness to deepen our con­nec­tion with nature—Comandra, Green Bog Orchid, Northern Tway­blade
• of emo­tional ten­sion held in the muscle tis­sues of the body—Dan­de­lion
• of how our energy affects others—One-Sided Win­ter­green, Red Quartz
• of one's Divine iden­tity—Monks­hood, Scepter Amethyst, Sug­alite
• of one's life pur­pose—Ladies' Tresses, Paper Birch
• of one's true self—Tama­rack, Topaz
• of our highest spir­i­tual poten­tial—Scepter Amethyst
• of subtle energy flows in and around the body—Lady's Slipper
• of sup­port and guid­ance from higher realms—Chalice Well, Hairy But­ter­wort, Kun­zite
• of the omnipres­ence of light—Single Delight
• of the source of one's vitality—Choco­late Lily, Fire Opal
• of the sup­port and nur­turing that is avail­able from nature—Emerald, Grove Sand­wort, Pineapple Weed, Rock Spring, Spi­raea
• of what is in the present moment—Star Ruby

Change

• for main­taining one's family iden­tity through pro­found cycles of change—Yellow Dryas
• for under­standing the deeper meaning of earth changes—Augus­tine Vol­cano
• helps us let go of our resis­tance to change—Glacier River, Redoubt Vol­cano, Round-Leaved Sundew
• impa­tient with the pace of change—Polar Ice
• strengthens and sta­bi­lizes the body so it is better able to cope with change—Cow Parsnip, Fire­weed Combo
• sup­port for deep inner change—Green­land Icecap, Spi­raea, Tidal Forces
• sup­port for moving through change without cre­ating crisis—Hairy But­ter­wort

Clarity

• brings clarity to an over­ac­tive mental body—Aqua­ma­rine, Cit­rine
• emo­tional clarity in com­mu­ni­ca­tion—Azu­rite, Beyond Words, Sweet­gale
• hearing and speaking from a place of inner clarity—Twin­flower
• increases clarity and alert­ness by dis­si­pating con­fu­sion—Easy Learning
• mental clarity, espe­cially during demanding sit­u­a­tions—Blue Topaz, Bunch­berry
• of dreams—Herkimer Dia­mond
• of pur­pose—Dia­mond
• of vision—Rainbow Hematite
• trans­lating clarity of per­cep­tion into appro­priate action—Alder

Cleansing

• chaotic and con­fused energy from the heart—Emerald, Fox­glove, Mon­tana Rhodochrosite, Rhodochrosite, Rose/Smoky Quartz
• core cleansing and repat­terning of the heart—Northern Lights
• emo­tional energy stuck in the lower chakras—Ama­zonite, Blood­stone, Cinnabar, Ruby, Sweet­gale
• old energy pat­terns from the body—Fire­weed, Green­land Icecap, Purifi­ca­tion
• the body's elec­trical system—Stinging Nettle
• the channel of com­mu­ni­ca­tion between the heart and the mind—Wild Rhubarb
• the etheric body—Car­nelian, Flu­o­rite, Flu­o­rite Combo, Purifi­ca­tion, Sweet­grass
• toxic energy from the mind, emo­tions, and phys­ical body—Black Tour­ma­line, Green­land Icecap, Northern Coral Root, Portage Glacier, Purifi­ca­tion, Smoky Quartz, Tour­malated Quartz 

Clutter Clearing

• for estab­lishing new bound­aries with our belong­ings so we don't attract more clutter in the future—One-Sided Win­ter­green
• for extreme clutter that has taken over the house—Devil's Club
• for holding onto stuff because of a fear of not having enough—Blue­berry Pollen, Bog Blue­berry
• helps us let go of what is inessen­tial—Typhoon, Winter In August
• helps us release mental and emo­tional energy attached to our clutter—Northern Coral Root, Purifi­ca­tion
• seals the energy space after the Clutter Clearing process is com­plete—Guardian

Depres­sion

• for those feeling sep­a­rate and alone in times of dark­ness—Lighten Up, Single Delight
• for those who feel lost or out of touch with their own inner dynamics—Chiming Bells
• from lack of light—Orange Cal­cite, Sol­stice Sun

Father

• for­give­ness around father issues—Moun­tain Worm­wood
• strength­ening the father prin­ciple, in men and women—Cit­rine, Fairy Slipper, Sitka Spruce Pollen, Sol­stice Sun, Sun­flower

Fem­i­nine

• bal­ancing mas­cu­line and fem­i­nine ener­gies in the heart—Green Fairy Orchid, Water­melon Tour­ma­line
• blending the power of the mas­cu­line and fem­i­nine—Blue Poppy, Fairy Slipper, Sitka Spruce Pollen, Solar Eclipse
• helps one embody fem­i­nine qual­i­ties of spir­i­tu­ality—Sug­alite
• opening to the nur­turing ener­gies of the Divine Mother—Emerald, Ladies' Mantle, Larimar
• opening up to a greater aware­ness of the fem­i­nine in nature—Ama­zonite, Northern Lady's Slipper, Paper Birch
• recon­necting to the wild fem­i­nine—Green Jasper

For­give­ness

• of old wounds in rela­tion­ships—Alpine Arnica, Bleeding Heart, Moun­tain Worm­wood
• through a clean and appro­priate expres­sion of anger—Blue Elf Viola
• through accep­tance of self—Alpine Azalea

Grief

• helps one con­tact, open to and release grief car­ried in the phys­ical body—Chryso­colla, Cotton Grass, Diop­side, Ladies' Mantle,Rein­deer Moss
• sup­ports, bal­ances, and nur­tures the emo­tional process during the grieving process—River Beauty, Tidal Forces, White Fire­weed

Hon­esty

• helps one make deci­sions based on an honest regard for one's highest good—Beyond Words, Paper Birch, Pyrite, Topaz
• will­ing­ness to see the truth of a sit­u­a­tion—Alder, Blad­der­wort, Cat­tail Pollen

Hope/Hopelessness

• helps us replace hope­less­ness with open­ness, courage, and a renewed interest in life—Prickly Wild Rose, Tundra Rose
• reminds us that we are loved and sup­ported by the angels and the entire web of life on this planet—Calling All Angels, Chalice Well
• restores a belief in mir­a­cles—Augus­tine Vol­cano, Rock Spring

Inti­macy

• helps one create appro­priate bound­aries for—Cov­el­lite, Pasque Flower
• helps one open again to inti­macy after a painful or trau­matic expe­ri­ence—Chryso­colla, Mon­tana Rhodochrosite, Rhodochrosite,White Fire­weed
• strengthens the heart so one is able to main­tain inti­macy—Mangano Cal­cite, Rose Quartz

Loss

• becoming empow­ered by con­sciously let­ting go—Fire­weed, Tidal Forces
• coping with recent emo­tional loss—Bleeding Heart, River Beauty
• of place, home, or habitat—Rein­deer Moss
• pro­cessing ancient feel­ings of loss—Cinnabar, Ladies' Mantle

Man­i­festing

• abun­dance on all levels—Blue­berry Pollen, Bog Blue­berry, Go-Create, Rock Spring
• pos­i­tive reality from the quality of one's thoughts—Goats­beard, Willow
• through a strong con­nec­tion with one's cre­ative power—Bog, Club Moss, Gold, Wild Iris

Mas­cu­line

• bal­ancing mas­cu­line and fem­i­nine ener­gies in the heart—Green Fairy Orchid, Water­melon Tour­ma­line
• bal­ancing power and gen­tle­ness in men and women—Blue Poppy, Sitka Spruce Pollen
• helps men reclaim their spir­i­tual self-image—Brazilian Amethyst, Star Gen­tian
• strength­ening the flow of mas­cu­line energy in men and women—Fairy Slipper, Solar Eclipse, Sol­stice Sun, Sun­flower

Mother

• helps the single mother find bal­ance between moth­ering and fathering—Solar Eclipse
• opening the heart to the Divine Mother—Chiming Bells, Emerald
• strength­ening the mother prin­ciple—Bog, Grove Sand­wort, Pineapple Weed
• sup­port for becoming a mother—Preg­nancy Sup­port

Nur­turing

• helps the inner child receive nur­turing from the Divine Mother and from the Earth—Emerald, Northern Lady's Slipper, Rose Quartz
• helps us learn how to receive nur­turing without struggle—Larimar
• learning to nur­ture and be nur­tured uncon­di­tion­ally—Spi­raea
• sup­ports the prac­tice of nur­turing between mother and child—Grove Sand­wort, Preg­nancy Sup­port

Recep­tivity

• cre­ating func­tional energy bound­aries to sup­port one's recep­tivity—Cov­el­lite, Stone Circle, White Violet
• ded­i­cating one's mental capac­i­ties to receiving the cre­ative impulses of the soul—Jacob's Ladder
• devel­oping emo­tional recep­tivity—Sweet­gale
• helps one move from over sen­si­tivity to cen­tered recep­tivity—Moon­stone
• increasing mental recep­tivity by opening the channel between the heart and mind—Wild Rhubarb
• to one's spir­i­tual power—Brazilian Amethyst, Ice­landic Poppy, Scepter Amethyst
• to the angelic kingdom—Angelica, Chiming Bells, Kun­zite

Rela­tion­ships

• bal­ancing com­mu­ni­ca­tions in rela­tion­ships—Twin­flower
• bal­ancing one's rela­tion­ship to the Earth—Turquoise
• encour­ages mutual aware­ness and healing of rela­tion­ships—Full Moon Reflec­tion
• opening emo­tional inter­ac­tions in—Sweet­gale
• release of unfor­given areas in—Moun­tain Worm­wood
• seeing rela­tion­ships from a spir­i­tual per­spec­tive—Pale Cory­dalis

Release

• of a neg­a­tive or false self-image—Columbine, False Helle­bore, Lace Flower
• of emo­tional and mental ten­sion held in muscle tissue—Dan­de­lion, Valerian
• of emo­tional ten­sion in male/female rela­tion­ships—Sweet­gale
• of energy con­nec­tions with others that are no longer useful—Arag­o­nite
• of energy pat­terns that no longer serve us—Cinnabar, Fire­weed, Green Tourmaline/Smoky Quartz, Northern Lights, Purifi­ca­tion
• of pain held in the body—Cotton Grass, Potato
• of self-doubt—Tama­rack
• of sexual ten­sion stem­ming from expe­ri­ences of abuse—Balsam Poplar
• of the fear of one's own power—Soap­berry

Releasing

• attach­ment to dis­trac­tion—Bunch­berry
• con­stric­tions held deep in the heart—Green Bog Orchid, Green Fairy Orchid, Pink Quartz
• deep pat­terns of lim­i­ta­tion held in the mind—Blue­berry Pollen
• deeply held trauma—Ladies' Tresses, Soul Sup­port, White Fire­weed
• emo­tional shock—White Fire­weed
• emo­tional ten­sion cen­tered around the heart—Fox­glove, Soap­berry
• familial and tribal karmic pat­terns—White Lupine
• inner poten­tial—Sticky Gera­nium
• judg­ment from the heart—Sphagnum Moss
• mental resis­tance to change—Glacier River, Green­land Icecap, Jacob's Ladder, Willow
• old habits that are no longer useful—Portage Glacier
• pain held deep in the sub­con­scious—Forget-Me-Not
• resent­ment towards one­self or another—Moun­tain Worm­wood
• self-destructive pro­gram­ming—Bog Candle, Diop­side
• the energy sur­rounding unre­solved con­flicts—Blue Elf Viola
• the need to men­tally con­trol the events of our lives—Jacob's Ladder
• through self-acceptance—Rose/Smoky Quartz
• toxic pat­terns in an envi­ron­ment where there has been addic­tion, depres­sion or abuse—Purifi­ca­tion
• unex­pressed emo­tions in a pos­i­tive way—Augus­tine Vol­cano

Sad­ness

• brings peace and joy to those who are lost in sad­ness—Chiming Bells, Orange Cal­cite, Pink Quartz, River Beauty
• helps us release deep sad­ness from the body—Cinnabar, Ladies' Mantle, Tidal Forces, Tundra Tway­blade

Self-Appreciation

• of one's beauty, regard­less of how it dif­fers from others—Columbine
• of one's unique con­tri­bu­tion to the evo­lu­tion of humanity—Lace Flower
• of our cre­ative abil­i­ties—Wild Iris

Sensuality/Sexuality

• clearing neg­a­tive pro­gram­ming around sex­u­ality—White Fire­weed
• for over sen­si­tivity to phys­ical touch—Pasque Flower
• helps one express one's pas­sion in ser­vice to Spirit—Blue Poppy
• restores earthly sen­su­ality and healthy sex­u­ality—Green Jasper, Ladies' Mantle
• syn­chro­nizing sexual energy with plan­e­tary cycles and rhythms—Balsam Poplar

Spir­i­tual

• brings a depth and phys­ical rich­ness to one's spir­i­tual life—Sug­alite
• helps one bal­ance the flow of spir­i­tual ener­gies in the body—Lilac, Red-Purple Poppy
• pro­motes a recog­ni­tion of the spir­i­tual realm—Brazilian Amethyst, Forget-Me-Not, Scepter Amethyst
• seeing rela­tion­ships as cat­a­lysts for spir­i­tual growth—Pale Cory­dalis
• sup­ports spir­i­tual recep­tivity and radi­ance—Ice­landic Poppy

Stress

• let­ting go of emo­tional stress stored in the muscle tissue—Dan­de­lion
• relieving stress from the expe­ri­ence of extremes—Labrador Tea, Soul Sup­port
• stress from a pre­oc­cu­pa­tion with mental activ­i­ties—Aqua­ma­rine, Blue Topaz, Jacob's Ladder, Wild Rhubarb

Sarah Josey, Clinical Herbalist & Nutritionist - Services

Postpartum / Mother Roaster Packages

Mother Healing $400

This package is designed to help soothe and heal mom right after birth, typically when she is still feeling raw and exposed in her new form.
If mom has had a c-section then it is best to wait 4-6 weeks postpartum to begin these practices in order to allow the body time to heal from the surgery.

• Herbal Sitz Bath
• Bottom Spray
• Nipple Rescue
• Abdominal hot stone application
• Belly Firming Paste & Application
• Belly Binding (includes belly bind fabric)
• Yoni Steam 

Mother Sealing $400

This is a half-day ritualized event that is a wonderful way to honor mom's transition from maiden to mother. It can be done for mom's at any point in time after birth, anywhere from one day to forty years.
It makes for an especially beautiful rite to have close friends and family present for the Sealing Ceremony and Salt Bowl Ritual.

• Birth Story Witnessing & Tea Ritual 
• Fear Releasing
• A Mother's Journal
• Ceremonial Bath 
• Body Oil Rub Down 
• Sealing Ceremony
• Intention Setting Salt Bowl

Mother Nourishing $150

During birth mom gives a significant amount of her stored nutrients over to baby. Add on top of that the long process of labor itself and then baby's need for nourishment through milk, and mother's are often left feeling depleted.

This package is a bundle of nourishment delivered to your door to help restore mom's vitality post-birth. All food is made fresh to order so please let us know when mom is getting close to her time so we can get prepared ahead of time.

*If you have any food sensitivities or things you do NOT like to eat, please be sure to let us know when ordering this package*

• Slaking Hunger
• Carrot Bliss Soup
• Red & Roasted Soup
• First Day Porridge
• Kitchari
• Seeded Granola
• Slaking Thirst
• PostPartum Bliss Tea
• Nursing Tea
• Blissful Almond Milk 

Mother Embracing $150

Emotions can run rampant post-birth, and often unexpected thoughts and feelings arise. Having someone to talk to who can offer guidance and support can be crucial to help with mom's recovery and healing.

This is a consultation service with a clinical herbalist who will offer support through discussion with mom about her current postpartum state, and then create customized herbal and essence blend to help support her specific needs.

• 1.5 hour consultation
• Customized herbal formula
• Customized flower/gem essence formula

A-La-Carte

If you don't want a full package of services you can choose to do only those that call to you. The rate is $75/ hour plus the cost of herbs and other items used.

Have us come back for additional healing sessions post birth. Ideally every other day at least two additional times after the initial session.

• Abdominal hot stone application - great to do before belly binding
• Belly Binding - best to start around day 5 and to continue to wear for 40 days if possible, usually takes three demonstration session by the practitioner to get the hang of it
• Ceremonial Bath & Body oil application - best done on day 40
• Moxibustion Sessions - excellent to do starting around day 14 and once a week for several weeks
• Placenta Blessings - done at any point postpartum as long as you still have a small amount of the placenta
• Sealing Ceremony - best done on day 40 or any time after
• Sitz Baths - done as often as needed post birth to heal the tissues
• Yoni Steam - best if done three times after birth beginning on day 9 postpartum 

Purchase Products

Bath Oil
Belly Bind
Belly Firming Paste
Blissful Almond Milk
Bottom Spray
Carrot Bliss Soup
First Day Porridge
Heart of the Mother Tea
Kitchari
Mother's Journal
Nipple Rescue
Nursing Tea
PostPartum Bliss Tea
Red & Roasted Soup
Seeded Granola
Self-Love Body Oil
Sitz Bath Herbs
Yoni Steam Box
Yoni Steam Herbs
Warming Packs

About Us

About Sacred Living Northern Colorado:

Sacred Living Northern Colorado is a sister of the national Sacred Living Movement, founded by Anni Daulter. The Sacred Living Movement is all about inhaling the beauty of life and recognizing that all aspects of our life journey need to be  honored, marked, and seen as sacred.

Sacred Living Northern Colorado is managed by Sarah Josey a Clinical Herbalist & Nutritionist and owner of Golden Poppy Herbal Apothecary.

The Sacred Living Northern Colorado blog and newsletter will be filled with up-to-date educational information and inspiring topics related to fertility, pregnancy, birth, parenthood, nourishing foods, and all things relating to bringing the sacred back in to our everyday lives.

About Sarah Josey

Sarah began her journey as a healer when studying biochemistry at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. Part way through the program she felt a need to find a healing method that was closer to the rhythms of nature; one that worked with a person’s body and the wisdom innate in us all. Shortly thereafter she began attending the North American Institute of Medical Herbalism in Boulder, CO where she completed their two year program to become a Clinical Herbalist and Clinical Nutritionist.

Her love of working with clients, as well as being in an environment where people could come to learn about natural health options, inspired her to open the Golden Poppy in Fort Collins.
A few years later she discovered the Sacred Living Movement and again felt a desire to bring this to those in her community by offering Sacred Fertility, Sacred Birth Journey, and Sacred Postpartum rites and programs to those who are seeking a deeper connection to themselves.

Sarah’s practice combines a blend of traditional herbalism and wisdom as well as the latest research and knowledge on herbs and nutrition. In this way she has the ability to use what has worked for centuries by traditional healers as well as the many advancements that the modern health field has to offer, creating a blend that is as adaptable and personalized as each of her clients.

Sacred Fertility Program

The Sacred Fertility Program is an 8 week program designed to support couples on the fertility path, or to give you as a fertile woman, a deep grounding and knowing of your own fertility.

Sacred Fertility aims to change the conversation around fertility.

This isn’t just about having a baby or trying to conceive. It is about our legacy as human beings on this planet. It is supporting women to find their soul path and what they truly have to offer the world- be it a baby human or a creative life of service or something else. Sacred Fertility explores the ways we become ‘mother’ consciously and with intention.

This program is for anyone currently trying to have a baby or thinking about having one in the future. It's about preparing your mind, body, and soul for the arrival of a new life.

The program will cover the following areas of fertility over the four month period of time, meeting every other week in a small group setting for two hours at a time:

* The Physical Body:

Basal Body Temperature (BBT) charting and how that can be a powerful tool for all women & self care massage techniques.

* Nourishing:

Fertility super foods and Real Foods such as bone broth, fermented veggies, and other nutrient dense foods.

* Cleansing:

Detoxification of self, vaginal steams, sacred bathing, body brushing, identifying areas in your life that need cleansing & practical tools.

* The Emotional Body:

Witnessing Emotions, Listening & Processing Loss, Creating a Safe Container, The Mother Wound, Communication, Trust.

* The Spiritual Body:

Exploring Soul Contracts, Sacred Space, Intuition and Your Soul Path, Sealing & Honoring.

* The Nature Body:

Meeting guides and friends to support fertility from nature, lunar conception.

* Sleep & Dream:

Tips on improving sleep and how it affects our hormones, mood and health: addressing adrenal fatigue, dream work and the first spark of creation.

* Ritual and Ceremony:
For creating a life that is full, nourished and pro-creative.

At the moment this program is tentatively scheduled to begin October 29th, 2016 in Fort Collins, CO.
Sign Up here

To be kept up to date on when this program sign up for our email newsletters

If you are interested in taking the fertility journey on a more personal basis and not in a group format, please send an email to Sarah: SarahJosey@GoldenPoppyHerbs.com

Sign up to work with Sarah one-on-one