Breast & lymph care is an often overlooked part of our holistic health. Breasts are important organs that contain a large amount of blood vessels, nerves and lymph ducts. Breast tissue can accumulate toxins over time as the body stores waste in adipose tissue and lymphatic system gets sluggish with environmental toxins. (I remember being at a lecture with David Suzuki years ago who said the environmental health of a population can be seen in the health of mammal breast tissue. )
In TCM our breasts have 3 major organ meridians passing through them - stomach, liver and kidney. Many common breast ailments can be due to a disharmony or blockage of energy in these channels.
Further, breasts and surrounding areas like the clavicle, neck and armpits contain a large amount of lymph nodes and vessels.
What is the lymphatic system?:
The lymphatic system is a circulatory system made up of lymph vessels, which are much like blood vessels. It drains extra fluid (called lymph) that has passed out of the blood and into tissues and returns it back to the blood.
Lymph is a clear fluid that contains lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that fights germs, foreign substances and abnormal cells, like cancer cells. Lymph also has macrophages, another type of white blood cell that helps fight infection. Lymph collects some waste products, bacteria and damaged cells from inside the body’s tissues so that they can be removed from the body or destroyed. Lymph drains into lymph vessels that carry it to lymph nodes. Lymph nodes clean the lymph and add more lymphocytes to it. - cancer.ca
My favourite way to incorporate lymph & breast care is by using herbal infused oils for self massage. Though, any hands on stimulation can he helpful for supporting breast tissue and lymph movement - even if its just with your regular body lotion. I prefer to use herbs that have anti-inflammatory properties and that help with lymph movement and drainage.
This recipe for lymph & breast oil can be used for:
pain, infection, inflammation of lymph or mammary tissue
pms & menses breast tenderness
fibrocystic breasts & cysts
mastitis
lymph drainage & seasonal support
scar tissue break up esp. after mastectomy & lumpectomy in cases of cancer & gender affirming surgeries
self checking & early detection of breast cancer
grounding, soothing & pleasure
Ingredients:
1 cup carrier oil - such as olive, grape seed, or hemp
1 cup castor oil
1/2 cup dried calendula (lymph inflammation)
4 tbsp dried cleavers (lymph draining & tissue detox)
4 tbsp dried red clover (lymph and blood mover)
*** red clover is a phytoestrogen and should be avoided & omitted in cases of breast cancer.
optional: lavender essential oils
How to make breast/chest oil:
Combine dried herbs and oil in a glass mason jar and stir well. Cover with lid and let the oil infuse in a sunny spot for 2-4 weeks. Strain with a cheese cloth and squeeze excess oil from herbs. Add essential oils if using. Store infused oil in a glass bottle away from direct sunlight.
How to use breast/chest oil:
Apply liberally to breasts & chest area, arm pits, neck and collar bones. Massage at a pressure that feels soothing and comfortable along the drainage flow as illustrated below. Gua sha tools can be used for added support, especially along the neck and collar bones.
*Again, this massage can be done without herbal oil for gentle lymph and breast health. The important thing is to get stimulation and movement in the tissues.
Simplified lymph drainage flow chart
If you have breasts this can also be a good opportunity to get to know what your tissue feels like and incorporate regular self checks for breast cancer. Below are the three recommended patting motions for checking breast tissue along with a how to of the five steps. For more info see here.
How to do a breast self-exam: The five steps
Step 1: Begin by looking at your breasts in the mirror with your shoulders straight and your arms on your hips.
Here's what you should look for:
Breasts that are their usual size, shape, and color
Breasts that are evenly shaped without visible distortion or swelling
If you see any of the following changes, bring them to your doctor's attention:
Dimpling, puckering, or bulging of the skin
A nipple that has changed position or an inverted nipple (pushed inward instead of sticking out)
Redness, soreness, rash, or swelling
Step 2: Now, raise your arms and look for the same changes.
Step 3: While you're at the mirror, look for any signs of fluid coming out of one or both nipples (this could be a watery, milky, or yellow fluid or blood).
Step 4: Next, feel your breasts while lying down, using your right hand to feel your left breast and then your left hand to feel your right breast. Use a firm, smooth touch with the first few finger pads of your hand, keeping the fingers flat and together. Use a circular motion, about the size of a quarter.
Cover the entire breast from top to bottom, side to side — from your collarbone to the top of your abdomen, and from your armpit to your cleavage.
Follow a pattern to be sure that you cover the whole breast. You can begin at the nipple, moving in larger and larger circles until you reach the outer edge of the breast. You can also move your fingers up and down vertically, in rows, as if you were mowing a lawn. This up-and-down approach seems to work best for most women. Be sure to feel all the tissue from the front to the back of your breasts: for the skin and tissue just beneath, use light pressure; use medium pressure for tissue in the middle of your breasts; use firm pressure for the deep tissue in the back. When you've reached the deep tissue, you should be able to feel down to your ribcage.
Step 5: Finally, feel your breasts while you are standing or sitting. Many women find that the easiest way to feel their breasts is when their skin is wet and slippery, so they like to do this step in the shower. Cover your entire breast, using the same hand movements described in step 4.