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Healing Breast Massage and Herbal Compresses
Hot and cold compresses and gentle breast massage improve circulation in breast tissue
and are a wonderful way of caring for your breasts. Many women avoid touching their
breasts because they are fearful of finding disease. Use your daily breast massage as an
opportunity to affirm that your breasts are healthy. To ease pain, make compresses from
anti-inflammatory herbs such as chamomile, calendula, and yarrow. Essential oils with
anti-inflammatory properties such as lavender and chamomile are also helpful for easing
breast pain, and essential oils such as grapefruit and lemon stimulate lymphatic flow. As a
preventive measure, avoid wearing underwire bras because they restrict the normal
healthy circulation of blood and lymphatic fluid.
Pain- Relieving Aromatherapy Breast Compress
2 teaspoons chamomile flowers
2 teaspoons calendula flowers
2 teaspoons yarrow flowers
1 1/2 cups water
10 drops lavender essential oil
2 washcloths
hot water bottle
Pour boiling water over herbs, cover, and steep for 10 minutes. Strain, and add lavender
essential oil. Dip washcloth into hot herbal solution, wring out slightly, and place over the
breast. Cover with a dry towel and a hot water bottle to retain heat and leave. in place for
3 minutes. Remove washcloth and replace with a second washcloth that has been dipped in
cold water. Leave cold washcloth on breast for one minute, and immediately fallow with the
hot washcloth that has again been dipped into the hot herbal solution. Reheat the herbal
solution if necessary. Repeat cycle 3 times, ending with the cold washcloth.
Healing Aromatherapy Breast Massage Oil
2 ounces almond oil
1/2 teaspoon vitamin-E oil
15 drops lavender essential oil
5 drops grapefruit essential oil
Blend oils together in a tightly capped dark glass bottle. Apply approximately 1/2 teaspoon
of oil to breasts immediately after bathing, while skin is still slightly damp. Massage breasts
with a gentle, circular motion, finishing 'With sweeping movements, stroking from the
breasts to the underarms to enhance lymphatic flow.
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