An online shop claims that their Herbal Womb Detox Pearls will ‘cleanse’ your womb. (Picture: Etsy/Lalobaherbalism)

Teatoxes were bad enough. Detoxes in general, actually, appear to be total nonsense with little to no evidence of their claimed benefits. But at least chugging herbal tea and the occasional green juice wasn’t doing us too much harm.

That isn’t the case for the new detoxing trend to hit the internet: sticking tiny balls of herbs inside your vagina to ‘detox’ the womb.

Among others, a website called Embrace Pangaea is selling something called Herbal Womb Detox Pearls – little bags of ‘ancient herbs’ that customers are encouraged to insert deep into their vagina for up to three days to ‘cleanse the womb and return it to a balance state.’

Customers are encouraged to insert the balls of herbs deep into the vagina for up to three days. (Picture: Embrace Pangaea)

The website shows pictures of dramatic results – large pieces of discharge and blood being expelled through the vagina – and promises that the Detox Pearls can heal serious conditions such as yeast infections, endometriosis, fibroids, and bacteria vaginosis.




The seller also suggests that the pearls will detox your vagina and womb ‘spiritually’, describing the womb as ‘a vessel that can hold on to emotional, physical, and spiritual trauma and pain.’

Oh, and the pearls will apparently tighten your vagina – or, as the seller keeps claiming, your womb (which doesn’t seem like the part you’d want to be tightening).

But here’s the thing. It’s not just that the pearls have no scientific evidence to back up the claims, but also that the Herbal Womb Detox Pearls could be incredibly damaging.

Sellers claim the herbs can cure endometriosis, yeast infections, and more. (Picture: Etsy/Lalobaherbalism)

We spoke to Dr Vanessa McKay, a spokesperson for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, who told us: ‘The vagina is designed to clean itself with natural secretions and should not require a ‘detox’.

‘It contains good bacteria, which are there to protect it. If these bacteria are disturbed it can lead to infection, such as bacterial vaginosis or thrush, and inflammation.

‘Perfumed products, soaps, gels, antiseptics, and vaginal douches can all affect the pH levels and the healthy balance of bacteria in the vagina, and cause irritation.’

And yes, perfumed products include whatever the heck is in those balls, which are also being sold on Etsy and Amazon.

But there appears to be no scientific evidence to back any of these claims up.(Picture: Etsy/LovePowerfully)

It’s also likely – as San Francisco based gynaecologist Dr. Jen Gunter notes on her blog – that any tightening caused by the ‘detox’ is probably the result of ‘something caustic or drying’. Again, a very bad thing.

Dr. Gunter explains that the balls will actually foster infections, not rid your womb of ‘toxins’ (WHICH DON’T EVEN EXIST, according to a lot of research out there).

‘These mesh “pearls” will just be a nidus for infection. The website actually provides proof of this as they have pictures of what they proudly claim to be the “discharge” users have removed from their vagina while using the pearls.

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‘The vagina makes excess discharge when there is A) irritation B) infection C) an absence of good bacteria.

‘This discharge isn’t some toxic swill that the vagina was hiding that only the “pearls” could release, it’s a sign that these “pearls” are damaging.’

Plus, just like tampons, leaving a foreign object in your vagina for longer than a day could cause toxic shock syndrome.

In short, a terrible idea.

In short, we wouldn’t recommend these. (Picture: Lalobaherbalism)

The vagina can take care of itself, free of any unidentified herbs or detox treatments. If you’re experiencing any issues, Detox Pearls are not the solution.



Dr McKay reminds us: ‘Anyone who is worried about the way their vagina smells, or has noticed irritation or itching, should seek advice from their GP or pharmacist as they may have an infection that needs treatment.’

Rely on a professional that actually knows the vagina and only uses treatments that have been through rigorous testing – not some mysterious magical balls you find on the internet.

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