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Sacred Bloom: Indigenous Herbal Medicine for Women’s Sexual Health and Well-Being by Dr. River Charpentier Lavoie, OBGYN and Naturopathic Physician
A Modern Guide to Ancient Wisdom for Reclaiming Balance, Sensuality, and Connection to the Natural World
I. Chapter Four: Returning to the Sacred – Ancestral Teachings on Intimacy, Pleasure, and Plant Medicine
My path to becoming a physician and healer was guided not only by formal education but also by the stories of my grandmothers, the whispered teachings of plants, and the rhythms of the land itself. Raised in our Cree community near the boreal forests of Northern Manitoba, I grew up knowing that healing is not a linear process—it is a relationship between the body, the spirit, and the land.
🌿 A Journey Rooted in Ancestral Wisdom
In my work as both a naturopathic physician and licensed OBGYN, I strive to blend ancestral knowledge with modern science, helping women reconnect with their bodies through the ancient wisdom of plant medicine. This chapter invites you to explore the sacred relationship between sexuality, plants, and healing through the lens of Cree traditions and teachings.
🌿 The Cree Perspective on Sexual Pleasure, Plants & Natural Balance
In Cree culture, sexuality is sacred. It is not something to be hidden, denied, or feared, but rather celebrated as part of the natural balance between body and spirit. Among our ancestors, pleasure was seen as a gift from the Creator—a way to nourish the body and strengthen relationships.
Just as the rivers flow and the forests grow in cycles, so do our bodies. Sexual energy was traditionally seen as life-giving, a force tied to fertility, vitality, and connection to the land. The plants that grew around us were allies in this process, helping women through all stages of life—from menstruation to childbirth to menopause—and enhancing intimacy along the way.
Historical Insights: The Cree Perspective on Sexuality & Plant-Based Wellness
Long before colonization, Cree women possessed extensive knowledge of plant medicine to support reproductive health, pleasure, and fertility. This knowledge was passed from generation to generation, primarily through oral traditions and hands-on teaching by grandmothers, mothers, and midwives.
Certain plants were known to enhance desire and heighten sensitivity, while others were used to balance hormones, ease menstrual discomfort, or support fertility and postpartum recovery. Wild rose, marshmallow root, bee balm, Labrador tea, and sweetgrass were among the many plants considered essential for women’s wellness.
The Impact of Colonization on Indigenous Views of Sexuality
With the arrival of missionaries and European settlers, colonial forces sought to suppress Indigenous teachings on sexuality and impose Christian ideals of modesty, shame, and control over women’s bodies. Traditional teachings about intimacy and pleasure were labeled immoral, and Indigenous midwives and healers were often persecuted, resulting in the loss of much ancestral knowledge.
Many Indigenous women internalized this shame, passing it unconsciously through generations. What was once natural and sacred became hidden, whispered about in fear.
Today, there is a resurgence—a reclamation of sexual sovereignty and body autonomy among Indigenous women. We are returning to our roots, reclaiming what was always ours, using the teachings of the land and the wisdom of our ancestors to heal generations of silence.
🌺 Teachings & Sexual Wisdom
“Pleasure is medicine. Trust your body to tell you what it needs.” This is one of the first teachings I share with the women who seek my care. Our bodies are not broken. They are teachers, constantly communicating with us—if only we learn to listen.
Sexual pleasure is not separate from wellness; it is part of it. It improves circulation, reduces stress, strengthens relationships, and deepens our connection to ourselves and our partners.
I teach my patients to reconnect with their bodies through touch, breathwork, and plant medicine, reminding them that sexuality is not just about performance, it’s about presence and connection.
The Role of Plants in Sexual and Reproductive Health
Certain plants have always been known as allies in intimacy and reproductive wellness. Here are just a few examples:
- Slippery Elm & Marshmallow Root – Known for their mucilaginous texture, these plants provide natural hydration and comfort during intimacy.
- Bee Balm (Wild Bergamot) – Provides a subtle warming effect that can enhance sensitivity and arousal.
- Wild Rose Petals – Cooling and soothing, rose is used for its hydrating properties and symbolic connection to love and desire.
- Sweetgrass – Traditionally burned as a smudge for cleansing, it is also infused into oils for sensory pleasure and relaxation.
Each plant holds a unique role in helping women reconnect with their bodies and enhance their experience of intimacy. These herbs do not “fix” us; they work with us, gently guiding us back to balance.
🌲 Indigenous Views on Sensory Pleasure & Connection to the Land
In our teachings, the senses are sacred pathways to connection. The scent of wildflowers, the taste of fresh berries, the touch of soft moss beneath our feet, these experiences ground us, reminding us that we are part of the natural world.
When it comes to intimacy, engaging all the senses—sight, touch, smell, taste, and sound—deepens the experience and makes it more meaningful. I encourage women to:
- Use aromatic plants like sweetgrass and lavender to create a soothing environment.
- Infuse natural oils with herbs like bee balm and rose for massage and sensory enhancement.
- Listen to their breath and stay present in the moment, focusing on connection rather than outcome.
Techniques for a Comfortable & Fulfilling Experience
Women often come to me with concerns about discomfort during intimacy. The body’s capacity for pleasure is limitless, but it must be approached with patience and care.
Here are a few techniques I recommend:
- Preparation & Relaxation: Warm baths with marshmallow root and lavender help relax the body and prepare for intimacy.
- Natural Lubricants: Use a blend of slippery elm, dandelion root, and rose-infused oil for hydration and comfort.
- Breathwork & Presence: Focus on breathing deeply and staying present, allowing the body to guide the experience.
Click here to read Dr. Lavoie’s recipes for sexual comfort and pleasure. A subscription is required.
📖 References & Credible Sources
- Geniusz, M. S. (2015). Plants have so much to give us, all we have to do is ask: Anishinaabe botanical teachings. University of Minnesota Press.
- Moerman, D. E. (1998). Native American ethnobotany. Timber Press.
- Gladstar, R. (1993). Herbal healing for women: Simple home remedies for the body, mind, and spirit. Simon & Schuster.
- Pursell, J. (2018). The woman’s herbal apothecary: 200 natural remedies for healing, hormone balance, beauty, and longevity. Timber Press.
- Wood, M. (2009). The earthwise herbal: A complete guide to new world medicinal plants. North Atlantic Books.
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