Lots of people, men, and women, can get a little squeamish when it comes to menstrual blood. However, one woman on a mission to help end the stigma around the substance has revealed what she likes to use her period blood for and cleared up some myths about it.
Lindsey Lockett, from the US, is a trauma educator, and describes herself as a “coach, awareness junkie, and nervous system ninja”. Sharing her home with her husband and their dogs, she often posts videos on her social media talking about her work helping people “heal from trauma and the subsequent nervous system dysregulation, brain inflammation, unconscious patterns, and soul fractures” that happen as a result of it.
In one of her posts, Lindsey touched on how lots of women have been conditioned to be embarrassed about their periods. She explained that she likes to make the most of her menstrual blood by turning it into a fertiliser for her plants and how doing this can help change our relationship with it.
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Revealing the process, she explained how she soaks her period undies to remove as much blood as possible. She went on: “Wring them out and wash as usual. Add more water to the blood water to make a diluted blood water fertilizer that you can use monthly to feed your houseplants.”
Sharing more, she wrote: “Menstrual blood is rich in minerals like phosphorus, nitrogen, and iron — all things found in store-bought fertilizers — and your blood is free. If you were raised with a lot of shame and hush-hush around your bleed, this can be a simple yet profound way to reclaim the beauty and power of your blood.”
Adding some interesting facts about menstrual blood, Lindsey added: “The Maori peoples believed menstrual blood was powerful medicine, so they painted anything sacred red, including painting sick people to heal them.
“In pre-Christian Hawaii, women were seen as the most spiritually powerful when they bled and it was believed that period blood could suck men’s soul energy out because they couldn’t handle the sacred power! And being stained by period blood in Celtic Britain meant you had been chosen by the goddess.”
Sharing the video on her Instagram account, she was quickly inundated with questions and comments. One person wrote: “I am simultaneously grossed out and fascinated by the common sense of the fertilizer aspect.” Another viewer added: “I’ve never really been conditioned to think it’s gross as I was taught it’s natural and normal but I do find this to be a bit yuk personally but good on those who find it helpful.”
Someone else wrote: “Had a visceral reaction to this and said out loud Oh my God, that’s gross – then had to check myself about a lifetime of conditioning about my period being negative— even shameful -including hiding my tampons under my sleeve when I had to change them out in public. Still evolving – 57 and post-menopausal. Thanks for your bold unapologetic voice.”
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Other people shared what they liked to do with their blood, writing: “I was told a few weeks ago to use it as a facial. I have not tried it yet as I forgot and then when I did remember I wasn’t sure how to ‘capture’ it lol. Just stick a finger in there and then smear it on sounds good to me. I’m low maintenance like that.” And someone else penned: “I paint with mine.”
However, some people were concerned that using diluted period blood might make her house smell. Following up with a second video, Lindsey answered people’s questions and assured them her house didn’t smell or that the mixture attracted flies to her plants.
If you’re considering turning your period blood into a plant fertiliser, menstruation brand Ruby Cup advise mixing one part period flow with two parts water. They explained: “Your period is organic, living tissue. You’ll want to make sure that the mixture becomes as liquid as possible so that it dissolves into the potting soil – it can turn bad if you leave it exposed to oxygen for long.
“Another reason for mixing it with water is to lower the salt contents, as your plants would not be happy getting too much salt, proportionally speaking. Water your plants with the mix right away and remember to stick to your normal plant care routine. Give your plants a few months with a monthly mineral boost from your zero waste menstrual blood fertilizer and an overall good care routine, and wait for the result to kick in.”
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