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Home Remedies Index
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Natural treatment for Fibrocystic Breast Discomfort
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Home Remedies for Fibrocystic Breast Discomfort
Almost three-quarters of women have some degree of
breast lumpiness, known in medical terminology as
"fibrocystic breasts." Symptoms~t fibrocystic breasts
include swelling, tenderness, pain, and lumps that vary in
size throughout the menstrual cycle, particularly during the
week or two prior to menstruation.A woman's breasts are
composed of milk glands, connective tissue that supports
the glands, and fat. For most women, breast composition
changes with age as the ratio of connective tissue to fat
increases and the connective tissue becomes thicker and
more fibrous. Until fairly recently, fibrocystic breasts were
labeled as a disease, but because the condition is so
prevalent it is now regarded as a normal variation in breast
tissue.
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Fibrocystic breast condition is broken down into three subtypes:
- fibrosis
- cysts
- duct hyperplasia.
Fibrosis is a thickening of the fibrous connective tissue that supports the milk glands. Fibrosis may be painful and
may be accompanied by cysts.
Cysts occur when tissue surrounding a milk duct overgrows, which blocks the duct and prevents it from draining
normally. The milk duct swells, becoming a tender, fluid-filled sac that ranges in size from the head of a pin to a
walnut or larger.
Duct hyperplasia is an overgrowth of the lining of the milk duct, and is the only fibrocystic condition that is related
to an increased risk of breast cancer. Finding a breast lump is a frightening experience, and it is important to have
any breast lumps or changes in breast tissue evaluated by your health-care practitioner. As a note of
reassurance, know that more than 90 percent of breast lumps are benign.
Although fibrocystic breasts are a common condition and cannot appropriately be labeled as a disease, they are a
signal that most likely that there is an imbalance in your body chemistry. Breast pain, swelling, and lumpiness
tend to worsen in the week or two prior to menstruation and appear to be caused by an excess of estrogen in
relation to progesterone and also to an increase in prolactin, the hormone that prepares the breasts for potential
pregnancy each month. Factors that influence estrogen and prolactin levels include a high-fat diet, caffeine,
smoking, excess weight, and emotional stress. Many women who have completely reversed painful fibrocystic
breast conditions through lifestyle changes and natural therapies.
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Herbs for Fibrocystic Breast
Poor liver function is strongly related to fibrocystic breast conditions because the liver is responsible for
detoxifying estrogen. When the liver is not functioning up to par, excess estrogen accumulates in the
bloodstream and causes unhealthful changes in hormone-sensitive breast tissue. Sluggish bowel function also
allows excess estrogen that was on its way out of the body to be reabsorbed into the bloodstream. Herbs help
to relieve fibrocystic breasts by improving liver and bowel function, as well as by helping to balance hormones
through stimulating the production of progesterone.
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), both the root and the leaf, are helpful for treating fibrocystic breasts. The
root stimulates bile flow and improves liver function, while the leaf is a powerful and safe diuretic that relieves the
water retention that causes swollen, tender breasts.
Burdock root (Arctium lappa) is a traditional liver-cleansing herb that gently stimulates and enhances liver
function.
Yellow dock root (Rumex crispus) contains potent bitter principles that act as a powerful liver cleanser. It also
has laxative properties that help to cleanse the intestinal tract.
Vitex (Vitex agnus-castus) helps to regulate hormones by stimulating the production of progesterone, which
brings estrogen levels into balance.
Prickly ash (Zanthoxylum americanum) stimulates circulation, including lymphatic circulation, helping to relieve
the stagnation that contributes to the formation of cysts.
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The following tea will enhance liver function, help to bring
hormones into balance, improve lymphatic circulation, and
relieve water retention. This formula has a bitter flavor,
and you may prefer to take it as an extract. You can buy
liquid concentrated herbal extracts and combine them in
the same proportions given in the following recipe. Take
one teaspoon of extract three times a day diluted in a
small amount of warm water. It may take three months or
even longer to improve a fibrocystic breast condition. After
symptoms are relieved, cut back your dosage of either the
tea or extract so that you are taking the formula only
during the week prior to menstruation.
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Herbal Tea for Fibrocystic Breasts
2 teaspoons dandelion root
2 teaspoons burdock root
1 teaspoon yellow dock root
3 teaspoons vitex berries
2 teaspoons prickly ash bark
2 teaspoons dandelion leaf
4 cups water
Simmer the dandelion root, burdock root, and yellow
dock root in water in a covered pot for 15 minutes.
Remove from heat, add vitex berries, prickly ash bark,
and dandelion leaf, cover, and steep for an additional
20 minutes. Strain, sweeten if desired, and drink 3 to
4 cups daily.
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Pain-Relieving 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 follow 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.
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Healing 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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