Mom & Baby: Post Partum Perineal Healing

Herbal local wash:

• 1 tbsp Hypericum perforatum (St. John’s Wort)
• 1 tbsp Calendula
• 1 tbsp Comfrey
• 2 cups boiling water

Instructions: Steep the herbs in boiling water for 1 hour. Allow to cool to room temperature. Strain. These herbs will help sooth, heal and prevent infection. Larger batches can be stored i the fridge.

The Herbal Wash can be used as a Sitz bath, Peri Bottle Spray or as a Cold pack.

Cold Packs: 

• Maxi Pads (use 100% Cotton pads) can be pre-soaked with 2 to 3 Tbsp of the herbal solution per pad) and put in freezer (hint – you can either freeze them in the shape of your body over a bowl, or on a cookie sheet), the cold will provide relief and help reduce swelling. 

Sitz Bath: If using as a add:

• 1 head of garlic
• ½ cup sea salt or epsom salts

A sitz bath is a bath that only covers the hips and buttocks. Special sitz baths can be purchased from the drug store or maternity store. Or you can fill your bathtub up to your waist only. Soak for 10-15 minutes daily. Add the two cups of local wash to the bath water.

Peri Bottle Spray: 

• Cool the local wash and put it in a spray bottle. Use after every visit to the bathroom.

In Canada these Herbs can be purchased from Clef Des Champs. In the US bulk herbs, peri bottles and cotton pads can be purchased at Cascade Health Care Products.