I’ve had… quite a few cases of vaginitis. It often turned out that by tossing my current lubricant, my problems went away.

Well yes, I use lubricant. Because otherwise I quickly become irritated and end up with… a vaginal infection. For a long time, it seemed like a dead end, until I had the divine revelation to use natural products I already had at home as lubricant. A miracle. No more infections, no more irritation. And a clearer conscience!

Since we at Les Mauvaises Herbes aren’t afraid of slippery subjects (someone stop me), I’m taking this opportunity to share a few tips and bits of information that will be relevant to many more people than you might think.

Not a desert, but…

Vaginal dryness, let’s talk about it.

Let’s be clear right off the bat: there’s no need to wait until your vagina is like the Atacama Desert to give yourself a hand in the sliding department.

All women are susceptible, to varying degrees, to experiencing vaginal dryness at some point in their lives, and not just when they turn 85! Anxiety, pregnancy, hormonal imbalances, taking oral contraceptives, an infection, or menopause are all factors that can lead to a decrease in the natural lubrication of vaginal mucous membranes. Unfortunately, "artificial" lubrication remains a taboo subject; it’s easy to feel sexually inadequate if you don't turn into the Trevi Fountain at the slightest touch.

Concerning ingredients

There are all kinds of lubricants on the market. It’s hard to navigate them, especially when you’re grabbing a bottle on the fly from the pharmacy shelf, after making sure you haven't been spotted by a neighbor who might later tell all their friends that you have a dry "hoo-ha"… Paranoia, when you’ve got it.

If you take the time to look at the ingredients in different types of lubricants, you realize that many contain products that you (as a dedicated reader of our blog) are probably already trying to eliminate from your body products. Why agree to slather your intimate areas with products you wouldn't put on your knees? Parabens, alcohol, fragrances, petroleum jelly… a guaranteed case of severe vaginitis and a traumatized pH!

There are four main types of commercial lubricants:

• Petroleum-based — yuck! No need to elaborate…
• Silicone-based — very effective, but not compatible with certain materials and $$$…
• Water-based — dries quickly + often contains glycerin, a sweetener… a bacteria party.
• Oil-based — cannot be used with many types of condoms… But it’s the best option.

The main advantage of homemade lubricant is that it is based on vegetable oils and/or butters, simple natural products with no influence on the vaginal bacterial flora. In the case of coconut oil, the benefits go further: it is antibacterial, antifungal, and super-hydrating. Another significant advantage is that it is ultra-versatile: you can use it just as much as a lubricant as a massage oil.

Preliminaries, my dear Watson!

For me, talking about homemade lubricant is also an opportunity to talk about foreplay and everything surrounding that famous penetration.

The era of wham, bam, thank you ma’am is over; we now know that to optimize pleasure, the time investment is worth it! Lubricant can also serve as a facilitator when you don’t yet know all of the other person's hot spots at the start of a relationship, or to keep things going when you have a good hour and a half to kill. A massage, caresses—it can be very pleasant!

When you make your own lubricant with natural and edible ingredients, it becomes ipso facto edible (I’ll leave it to your imagination to picture the possibilities…). Let’s be realistic: even if saliva is a very useful natural backup lubricant, it’s not always very classy to spit on your date's back to give them a massage…

The whole process of preparing the lubricant can become an occasion to "get in the mood," by going to the store to select the ingredients you like and taking the time to craft the mixture. Showing an interest in what you put on and in your body is showing an interest in your body, in the relationship you have with it and with your partner’s. It gives a sense of being in control and confident. It’s also a beautiful proof of attention given to the other: "I care about what I apply to your body, I thought of you while preparing this wonderful lubricating substance, I love you, now go ahead and give me a massage."

Another positive aspect: using natural products as lubricant is economical. A commercial lubricant easily costs $20 for 100 to 150 ml, while for $14 on our online store, you get 500 ml of organic extra virgin coconut oil. You know.

The serious stuff

Basic ingredients

In concrete terms, several ingredients are friendly to the genitals. Here is a short list:

• Coconut oil
• Pure aloe vera gel
• Sunflower oil
• Cocoa, mango, or shea butter

As with any homemade recipe, it is imperative to perform a patch test before slathering your entire body. First, do a test on a small external part of your genitals, then on the inside.

Essential oils: yes or no?

If you decide to do your own research on the world wide web, you’ll realize that many proposed homemade lubricant recipes involve essential oils. Sometimes mint is recommended for cold sensations, cinnamon or black pepper for hot sensations… VERY BAD IDEA!

Many essential oils can be irritating even on the skin, so imagine the effect in contact with the sensitive surface of the vaginal mucous membranes… ouch. It’s a big no.

In general, I would tell you: refrain from using essential oils without properly informing yourself about their effects. Consult our manifesto on the safe use of essential oils. They are extremely concentrated and one should always perform tests before using them on a large scale. Add to that the restrictions regarding children and pregnancy.

If you decide that, all things considered, DIY lubricant isn’t really your thing, you can always use the recipe as massage oil or as nourishing body butter. No worries, nothing will go to waste!

Try our recipes!

STRAIGHT COCONUT OIL

If you are less motivated, know that coconut oil used on its own is very effective and economical! If you use it alone, I still advise you to transfer it into a small glass jar that you’ll keep in the bedroom, so as not to bring out your 500 ml container when it’s time to slather your partner: they might feel like a roast beef about to be braised. That’s the kind of image that kills the momentum…

Warning: some people may react to coconut oil internally, which is why a patch test is critically important!

There you go! I’ll leave you to your activities (ahem…), wishing you happy sliding! 😉