There are some wellness rituals that ask us to do more. A V-steam asks us to sit down, warm up and spend a little time with a part of the body we are often taught to discuss only in private.

Playful name aside, herbal steaming has a long and layered history. Different forms of the practice have appeared across cultures, including in Korea, Southeast Asia, parts of Africa, Central America and the Caribbean. The herbs, methods and meanings vary widely, but many of these traditions share an appreciation for warmth, plant knowledge and intentional care.

At JAMU, our connection to V-steaming begins in Indonesia, where founders Kim and Cary Collier lived and worked for eight years before bringing Indonesian-inspired spa rituals to the United States. It is also connected to one of the treatments that has shaped the JAMU story from the beginning: the Javanese Lulur.

What is a V-steam?

A V-steam, sometimes called vaginal steaming, yoni steaming or an herbal steam bath, generally involves sitting above a warm infusion of water and herbs so the rising steam reaches the external vulvar and pelvic area.

Despite the name, nothing is inserted into the vagina. The steam remains external and cannot travel through the cervix or into the uterus. For many people, the contemporary appeal lies in the experience itself: herbal aroma, gentle warmth and time intentionally set aside to reconnect with the body.

That distinction matters. V-steaming is a traditional wellness practice, not a medical treatment. It has not been scientifically proven to cleanse or “detox” the vagina, balance hormones, improve fertility or treat reproductive health concerns. The vagina is self-cleaning and does not require steaming to remain healthy.

A ritual with many roots

V-steaming does not belong to one universal tradition or have one easily traced origin. Variations of herbal genital steaming and fumigation have been documented in many places, with each culture developing its own herbs, techniques and reasons for practicing.

In Korea, the practice is often known as chai-yok and is closely associated with mugwort and wormwood. Herbal steam bathing has also been documented in Indonesia, Thailand, Mozambique, South Africa and among Afro-Surinamese communities. Depending on the community, it has been connected to personal care, beauty traditions, postpartum customs and ceremonial moments.

These histories deserve specificity. Modern wellness culture has a habit of gathering many distinct traditions under a single “ancient ritual” label. At JAMU, we believe the richer story is found in acknowledging that herbal knowledge has taken many forms and that the people, places and lineages behind those practices matter.

Meet mugwort

Earthy, aromatic and unmistakably herbaceous, mugwort belongs to the Artemisia family and has a long history of use across several herbal traditions. It is also one of the plants most frequently associated with V-steaming, particularly within Korean chai-yok.

Its presence lends the steam a grounding botanical aroma and connects the experience to generations of plant-centered ritual. While mugwort has been credited with a long list of traditional benefits, those claims should not be confused with proven medical outcomes. In the context of a V-steam, we approach it as part of the sensory and cultural experience rather than as a cure.

Anyone with allergies or sensitivities to plants in the Asteraceae family, which includes ragweed, chrysanthemums and daisies, should speak with a qualified healthcare professional before using mugwort.

From Java to JAMU

The Javanese Lulur is one of Indonesia’s most storied body rituals. Historically associated with the royal palaces of Java, the treatment was traditionally performed daily for 40 days as a bride prepared for marriage. The full experience brought together massage, a turmeric and rice exfoliation, cooling yogurt, aromatic flowers, bathing and jamu, Indonesia’s tradition of plant-based preparations used internally and externally.

In the version of the Javanese Lulur that Kim and Cary experienced while living and working in Indonesia, herbal steaming was an essential part of the ritual. It complemented the larger sequence of warmth, touch, exfoliation, bathing and botanical care that made the Lulur a true head-to-toe experience.

When JAMU launched in the United States in 1998 and introduced the Javanese Lulur to spas and resorts, the steam portion was not included. Professional guidance at the time indicated that a medical practitioner should be on staff for services of this nature, so JAMU chose to preserve the elements that could be offered responsibly within the American spa environment.

That decision is part of the evolution of a ritual as it moves between places. Honoring tradition also means understanding context, respecting professional guidance and being transparent about what has been adapted.

Ritual, not remedy

The language surrounding V-steaming can sometimes move far beyond what evidence supports. Claims that it cleanses the uterus, regulates hormones, increases fertility, treats infections or corrects reproductive concerns are not supported by scientific research.

We prefer a more honest way to speak about the practice. A V-steam may be meaningful as a personal ritual centered on warmth, aroma, rest and body awareness. Those qualities can have value without turning the ritual into a promise it cannot responsibly make.

If you are experiencing pain, unusual discharge, odor, itching, dryness or another health concern, speak with a licensed healthcare provider. Steaming should never be used in place of diagnosis or treatment.

If you choose to steam, begin with safety

The skin of the vulva is delicate, and steam that feels merely hot from a distance can cause burns when it reaches sensitive tissue. Published medical literature includes a documented case of second-degree burns from vaginal steaming, so temperature and professional guidance should be taken seriously.

V-steaming should be avoided during pregnancy and whenever there is an active infection, open wound, unexplained irritation or recent procedure. Anyone who is postpartum, managing a gynecological condition or receiving fertility treatment should speak with their healthcare provider before considering the practice.

The equipment must be thoroughly cleaned, the steam should feel comfortably warm rather than hot, and the body should never be forced to remain over heat that feels uncomfortable. Fragrant herbs can also cause irritation or disrupt the vagina’s natural bacterial balance, particularly for people with sensitive skin or recurring infections.

Most importantly, V-steaming is not necessary for cleanliness. The internal vagina cares for itself. External cleansing with water is enough for most bodies unless a healthcare provider recommends otherwise.

Steam your thing, thoughtfully

We can be curious about traditional wellness while remaining honest about what a practice can and cannot do. We can appreciate the sensory pleasure of herbs and warmth while respecting the body’s biology. We can also celebrate the histories that shaped modern spa culture without flattening them into a single story.

For JAMU, V-steaming is part of a larger conversation about Indonesian wellness, the evolution of the Javanese Lulur and the responsibility that comes with carrying traditional rituals into new settings.

So yes, steam your thing if the practice feels right for you and your healthcare provider agrees. Keep the temperature gentle, the claims grounded and your relationship with your body at the center of the experience.

This article is intended for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional with questions about your individual health, pregnancy, postpartum care or reproductive wellness.