As an Ayurvedic Practitioner and Maya Abdominal Therapist, I work with many women with menstrual, fertility, and digestive imbalances. I have quite a few tools in my toolbox, but not many clients are ready to jump into the special, ancient practice of uttara vasti, or herbal douching. What a word – douche! I don’t even want to use that word, as the modern day practice really has nothing to do with healing, but I lack a better comparison. Let me share with you the ‘vasti’ or also ‘basti,’ a Sanskrit word that means ‘to hold.’
An uttara vasti is much more than just a bath for the vagina and cervix, but it does do just that. Unlike douching, this practice is guided by your internal rhythms and specific conditions, as well as time, age, metabolic type, mental and emotional conditions. An uttara vasti connects us with the water element – a woman’s reproductive organs, no matter her constitution, have a deep connection with that element. And using this medicinally can have profound effects on this part of the body because of that harmony.
By using herbal teas internally in this way, we may be able to bring balance to our hormones, shift our cycles to the new moon, ignite shakti within the womb, energetically cleanse our reproductive organs, as well as help balance internal flora of the vagina when there is an acute discomfort.
The motion of the ocean
Many women may not realize that the natural time for menstruation is on the new moon. The dark cycle of the moon is meant for bleeding time – introspection, meditation, rejuvenation, turning inward. The bright cycle, full moon, is naturally more extroverted, our ovulation time, time of high waters, slipperiest cervical mucus, and high energy for midnight rendezvous. I won’t get too scientific in this article, but the change in light affects the pineal and pituitary glands, which release certain hormones involved in regulating our cycles – and if our hormones were in balance with the moon’s fluctuating light, this reiterates that the natural time to bleed is during the dark phase of the moon.
When our hormones are in balance with the larger rhythms of nature, like the moon’s cycle, we may be less affected by PMS symptoms or pain, because our whole system is in better balance. I have found this to be true for myself – and whether it’s partly in my mind, or actually my hormonal balance, I can’t say – and a big part of my personal healing journey.
An ancient practice
The practice of uttar vasti can be practiced from the onset of menstruation until about 60 years of age. It is in the Charaka Samhita, one of the classic texts of Ayurveda, though I have used the specific practices taught by Maya Tiwari in her book Women’s Power to Heal.
Uttar vasti is practiced on the new moon, but you DO NOT want to do this if you are currently bleeding. Maya Tiwari recommends this for women who are sexually active (bath for those who are not) for those experiencing infections, odor, dryness or soreness, PMS, irregular or excess flow, hormonal imbalance, menopause, breast cancer, amenorrhea and more.
Contraindications are during or right after menstruation (wait 2 or 3 days if you have a ‘perfect’ cycle on the new moon), vaginal bleeding, directly after eating, in extreme hot or cold weather, after enema or diarrhea, if emaciated, at sunrise, noon, sunset or midnight, if pregnant or breastfeeding, within 3 months of miscarriage, during fibroid treatments or bleeding fibroids, or if a woman is under 12 years old.
Certain herbal teas are suggested for different imbalances. Herbs that are often used for uttar vasti include red raspberry leaves, aloe vera gel, triphala, and rose.
Some women do not feel comfortable inserting anything into the vagina, perhaps due to trauma. An uttar basti bath can be effective as well, and more gentle. The herbs can be steeped on the stove, then added to 4 or 5 inches of bath water. One can sit in the tub – at the same time of day and time of your cycle as you would do an internal vasti – and gently contract and release the vaginal muscles to allow tea to gently enter and be released. This is also a nice alternative for very young women.
What to do for irregular cycles
What you will need for 1 application: enema bag, tub (ideally), towel, 1 T red rose buds or petals, 1 T raspberry leaves, 2 cups pure water, double boiler/two pots, stove
Wait 1 day after the new moon to begin this practice. You will do the vasti 3 times, every other day, starting the day after the new moon. For example, if the new moon is on a Monday, you will do the vasti Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Prepare the tea by bringing the water to a boil in a double boiler, add herbs, cover and simmer on low for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow them to steep and cool for about 15 more minutes. Strain, be sure it’s not too hot – test with your finger – and pour the tea into your enema bag.
Lay a towel down in your bathtub – and perhaps light a candle or incense in the room. Ideally you would do this mid-afternoon, or mid-morning, on a day where you can relax, you’re home alone, and you can lock the door and feel totally safe. You might even choose to make this a total self-care of cleansing day. A full body self-massage with oil can help you relax to accept the tea.
Add the tea to the enema/vasti bag, and make sure the nozzle is closed.
Smear the nozzle with an ample amount of sesame oil or coconut oil.
Hang the enema/vasti bag up above you – perhaps set on the side of the tub, or depending on how long the tube is, from the shower curtain bar.
Lay the towel down in the bathtub.
Remove your clothing, (if you wear a shirt or dress, it will get wet up your back.)
Lie down comfortably on your back. Take a few deep breaths, and relax your belly, your whole body.
Insert the nozzle into the vaginal passage, and open the nozzle. Squeeze your vaginal muscles and buttox, and even lift your hips from the tub.
Allow the tea to flow in gently, much will flow out. As soon as the bag is empty, relax your hips, remove the nozzle, and allow the tea to flow out gradually.
Rest for a few breaths as it flows out.
Get up slowly, more tea may flow out.
Clean up a bit, then put on a comfortable soft outfit, pajamas or robe. Relax and move slowly for the rest of your day, or a few hours if you have them. You may also choose to journal about your experience.
Personal healing
I have personally used the practice of uttar vasti to switch my cycle to new moon. It only took one application. In conjunction with Maya Abdominal Therapy and herbs and diet changes, I have experienced great personal healing from irregular and painful cycles. I am on a continual journey of faith as a holistic health practitioner, and I have yet to be let down. In fact, I don’t know why I continue to be surprised at the types and deep level of healing that comes from these practices.
According to ancient vaidya’s, or seers, “women naturally possess a delicate and fragile balance within the body due to their Shakti prana and its extensive powers.” (Tiwari, pp 77) By no means do I believe this as proof of any ‘weaker sex’ dogma, I believe this is an understanding that can guide us to living the way we know to be right and best and most healthy – in line with the rhythms of nature, balanced and without unnecessary stress, and connected with the sacredness of life. And all of a woman’s other natural rhythms are preserved by the rhythm of her monthly menstrual cycle.
If you are interested to try this for yourself, I do recommend finding guidance from a practitioner to be sure you have emotional support, if needed, as well as to be able to rule out contraindications. I will point anyone who is interested in learning more to Maya Tiwari’s book, Women’s Power to Heal. Uttar Vasti and more are discussed in depth in my classes, Ancient Womb Healing for Modern Women.
Adena Rose Bright practices Ayurveda and The Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy®. She teaches online courses in Ayurveda, Food as Medicine, and Women’s Health. Find more information on upcoming courses at AdenaRoseAyurveda.com and HealingDietAyurveda.com. Follow her inspiring photos on instagram.