Witch Hazel is a great way to get some relief from perineal discomfort and will be your best friend during your postpartum recovery. It’s an herbal skin soothing remedy that can help reduce inflammation. Plus it has great wound healing properties which makes it an ideal remedy for reducing vaginal swelling. It also helps ease pain and itching from haemorrhoids — another postpartum symptom you may be experiencing.

SO WHAT EXACTLY IS WITCH HAZEL?

Witch hazel is a wonderful medicinal plant rich in antioxidants and biomolecules called tannins which give it its skin-soothing properties. It has been used for centuries in traditional medicine to treat anything from damaged skin and bruises to insect bites and skin irritations.

During postpartum recovery, it is most helpful for treating pain and inflammation that comes from swelling in your perineum and this natural remedy can be a godsend for all of your perineum needs. Recovery can be rough as the area will be quite sore and as it heals your stitches might be tight and itchy. Whether you’re dealing with hemorrhoids, bruising or stitches, Witch Hazel can help.

Here are our top 3 ways to use witch hazel for your postpartum healing.

DIY Witch Hazel Postpartum Padsicles

Cold packs are a must-have for your postpartum self-care because cold therapy helps soothe vaginal pain and irritation after birth. Padsicles are frozen maternity pads which are soaked with witch hazel to soothe and aid the healing of the perineum and surrounding areas to help with recovery. They can be used to soothe discomfort from haemorrhoids as well.

Try these DIY padsicles - they are really simple to make and very useful to have on hand. They can be prepped anytime before baby is born and stored in the freezer for after birth use. They should be in every new mama postpartum care kit! If you have vaginal swelling this is basically the most cooling and soothing thing your vagina may encounter during the healing process.

Witch Hazel Perineal Healing Spray

This is an excellent natural remedy for some soothing relief from pain and swelling for your tender bits. It’s infused with witch hazel, cucumber and aloe vera to really help to calm and soothe the area. There is an almost numbing sensation, which helps to ease the swelling and more importantly, it helps through the unbearable toilet trips. Pro tip: Keep the bottle in the fridge for extra cooling.

DIY Soothing Witch Hazel Pads

Witch hazel pads are round cotton pads that are soaked with a witch hazel solution which can be used as a refreshing compress. They help soothe your sore and swollen vagina and perineum. You can use them to wipe the area after using the toilet instead of toilet paper, put them stacked on your maternity pads or folded and tucked into the folds of your bottom as a compress so they are directly in contact with the sore spot to relieve pain from hemorrhoids and postpartum swelling. For added relief, keep them in the fridge and use as needed.

Witch Hazel Herbal Sitz Bath

A sitz bath is water paired with other soothing ingredients, such as herbs, Epsom salts, and baking soda. It is an easy and effective way to help soothe discomfort and keep the perineum clean without having to press on delicate, sore tissue. Sitz baths are especially helpful immediately after giving birth, when you likely feel quite sore and swollen, it can help relax your perineal muscles and increase blood flow to the perineum, which reduces pain. They can also help ease haemorrhoids.

Try our Postpartum Herbal Bath Soak which is designed to help soothe your body and mind.The blend of Witch Hazel and other soothing herbs helps promote healing and give you the moment of relaxation you deserve. Simply brew the herbs and put it in a sitz bath (on top of the toilet seat) filled with 1.5L of warm water (that’s like an inch or two of water). A 20-minute soak will have you feeling a real good seat of relief.

If you want a bonus dose of Witch Hazel, use the brewed liquid from your Postpartum Bath Soak or a few drops of Perineal Spray in your Upside Down Peri Bottle for extra relief. Nothing else comes close to helping you heal and offering relief during the postpartum recovery phase.