Breast Health Supported by Acupuncture and Herbs
By Dr. Renae Haldeman · New to some of these words? See the glossary.
The Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) view of breast health makes sense and is part of the cycle of life. Two body systems show up in the breast: the liver and stomach channels (channels are the pathways that carry energy through the body). It is worth noting that one stomach point is on the nipple. When a nursing mother makes milk for her baby, her period stops, so the energy of her period can go toward making milk. Her milk fills the baby’s stomach and builds the baby’s health, helping the human family grow strong.
What is going on in the health of a mother who has trouble nursing? Why is there so much breast cancer today? Chinese medicine says the cause may be an imbalance in the liver, the stomach, or a special vessel called the Chong Mai (the “penetrating vessel”). Could it be what she eats, or how much stress she is under? Possibly. What we do know from a TCM view is that there are herbs and acupuncture points that can help support breast health. Acupuncture point ST-18 (Rugen) is just under the breast, below the nipple line, about 4 inches from the middle of the chest. It is used for breast pain, a feeling of fullness, abscess, and swelling. It can also help with making or balancing breast milk. Dandelion (pu gong ying) is a common herb used to cleanse the breast. Men and women can both have breast health concerns.
One woman who was not nursing had a brown discharge from her breast. She went to many Western medicine doctors because she was worried. She became frustrated when all the tests came back benign (not cancer) and with no known cause. She asked if Traditional Chinese Medicine could help, and I told her it could. After simple acupuncture treatment and adding Pu Gong Ying tea to her diet, the brown discharge was no longer a problem.
Acupuncture and herbs can greatly support peace of mind and the health of the body.
Related articles
This article is educational and is not medical advice. Individual results vary. Please talk with a licensed healthcare provider about your own health.