Herbs
“Start by doing what is necessary, then do what is possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible. ” St. Francis of Assisi
The goal with this herbal section is to share with you the herbs that have the most positive impact on breast health. Some work directly with the breast tissue, like violet, while some other herbs will have an indirect effect, like milk thistle. Their impact may be physical, emotional or spiritual. These herbs can be used in a variety of forms: capsules, tinctures, compresses, poultices, infusions, infused in oils, etc.
Dandelion
Violet
Poke
Milk Thistle
Schizandra
Licorice Root
Rosemary
Chamomile
Astragalus
Nettle
Burdock
Red Clover
Ginger
Chasteberry
Peony
Cedar
Cleavers
Chickweed
Siberian Ginseng
Hibiscus
Rose
Lemon Balm
Motherwort
DANDELION
Taraxacum
Wonderful for the prevention and treatment of various breast diseases and conditions; benign cysts, tumors of various kinds, cancer, fibroadenomas, lumps, sore breasts, inflammation, suppressed lactation, and swollen breast lymph glands.
Due to its detoxifying effects, dandelion is great for conditions that involve heat like an inflamed breast cyst.
It’s a great breast lymph detoxifier.
Protects, heals and tones the liver.
Eases breast congestion.
Stops cancer promotion
Reduces abscesses.
Dissipates nodules in breast tissue.
Improves water retention associated with breast tenderness.
Spiritual Powers
Nurturing our spiritual side is incredibly important during a healing journey. Listening to our soul’s calling will guide us to true health and wholeness.
Regular use of dandelion helps ease our emotional and mental frustrations.
Nourishes the first, root, chakra.
Helps to restore a sense of belonging and connection.
Use
Depending on your imbalance, dandelion root and leaf are used for different things. In the case of shrinking breast growths, you’ll want to use the root most of the time. Dandelion leaf, however, is great for reducing water retention which leads to pain and swelling during your menstrual cycle.
Dandelion root: best for breast and liver health
Dandelion leaf: water retention
You can also take dandelion in capsules and as a tincture.
Works well with burdock, milk thistle, nettle
Infusion Recipe
If you’re suffering from any kind of breast health conditions and imbalances mentioned above drink the following infusion daily, 2-4 cups. This isn’t a quick fix and you should do this for a minimum of 3-6 months depending on the severity of your imbalance.
You can keep this recipe simple by simply decocting dandelion root. Decoctions are a more powerful extraction method to get the medicinal constituents from roots, barks, twigs and berries. You simply simmer the root in boiling water. Whereas an infusion is made like tea. The boiling water is poured into a pot or cup with some herbs and steeped.
For the following recipe, once you’ve decocted the dandelion root and the water has finished simmering and is beginning to cool, you can add nettle and violet leaf for additional benefits.
Drink 2-4 cups of dandelion infusion a day
Dandelion root (1.5 tbsps to 750ml of water)
Place the dried dandelion root in a saucepan. Cover with cold water and bring to a boil. Simmer for about 20 – 30 minutes until the liquid is reduced by one third .
As mentioned above if you want to add nettle and violet, wait till the water has finished simmering and beginning to cool before adding them.
I like to fill a 1L mason/canning jar and have it infuse for 4-8 hours and drink it throughout the day. You can also use a french press which makes it much easier to steep, pour and drink throughout the day.
Or you can buy dandelion root and leaf tea ready to go. This is a great blend.
The general rule for infusions is 1 tsp of dried herb for 1 cup of hot water.
VIOLET
Viola Odorata
Has an affinity for breast tissue and is wonderful for fibrocystic breasts.
Violet likes to smooth things out like fibrous cysts, lumps, tumors, infections or growths like cancer.
Soothing, cooling, and anti-inflammatory.
Both the flower and the leaves are incredibly healing.
Long been used to shrink tumors and swellings.
“Internal and external use of violet can shrink a breast lump in a month. Violet’s ability to slow cancer growth makes her excellent ally for the who who needs time to research her options.” S. Weed
When you use a medicine/herb internal and externally you tell your body where to direct the healing. You give it a focus point. This can be applied to any herb and any body part.
Spiritual
Violet has a cooling, soothing effect on the mind, nervous system and crown chakra.
Violet is associated to love and attracting powerful and healing vibrations.
Remedy for heartbreak.
Heart opening.
Powers
Peace, healing, love, protection, luck, lust and wishes.
Has heart shaped leave which is known to comfort and strengthen the heart.
Use
Drink 2 – 4 cups (500ml) of violet leaf infusion daily.
Use an violet infused oil and apply to the affected area or use as a breast massage oil.
Leaves and flowers can be used in salads and soups
Infusion Recipe
1 tsp of dried violet per cup of hot water
Drink 2-4 cups a day
Combine with your herb of choice such as nettle or dandelion for an incredibly nourishing and healing infusion.
POKE
Phytolaca Americana
Poke root is generally used topically infused in an oil, such as castor. Can also be used as a tincture. Best to work with a qualified herbalist if you’re interested in taking the tincture.
It’s great for stimulating the immune system and a wonderful lymphatic decongestant.
Widely used to dissolve lumps, cysts, tumors and fibrocystic conditions.
Wonderful for swelling and inflammation in the breast.
Author and herbalist Susun Weed recommends applying a generous amount to the lump, covering it with a flannel cloth, and a hot water bottle.
Can be highly toxic. Best to use only under the supervision of a qualified health care practitioner or herbalist.
I recommend finding a medical herbalist who can prepare an oil infusion if you’re unfamiliar with this process. This usually saves a lot of time as it’ll take several (around 6) weeks for the oil to be ready.
Now, if you do you have a poke root tincture, you can combine it with castor oil and apply it to the affected area.
MILK THISTLE
Silybum Marianum
When your liver is healthy and excreting hormones efficiently, there is little estrogen accumulation in breast tissue. Estrogen is a cell division stimulator and will fuel the growth of fibroadenomas, cysts, lumps, tumors and cancer.
Protects and detoxifies the liver. Helps the liver excrete hormones efficiently. A healthy liver is incredibly important when it comes to metabolizing and excreting estrogen. A congested liver can often lead to an increase in excess estrogen by allowing hormones to circulate longer in the bloodstream.
Anti-inflammatory
Promotes healthy hormone levels.
Reduces inflammation.
Anti-cancer.
Prevents damage from chemo-therapy
Increases breast milk production.
Powers
Protection, healing, vitality and strength
Attracts good spirits and wards off evil influences.
Use
Both the seeds and the leaves can be consumed in either pill, powder, tincture, extract or tea form.
Works well with burdock, dandelion
SCHIZANDRA BERRY
Schizandra Chinensis
Schizandra berry is an adaptogenic herb long used in traditional chinese medicine. Adaptogens help your body adapt to stressors, whether they’re physical, biological or even chemical. Schizandra is known as wu wei zi which means five flavors berry. It’s sweet, bitter, pungent, sour, salty at all once and one of the only foods to contain all fives flavours.
Increases estrogen breakdown thereby maintaining healthy breast tissue.
Reduces estrogen excess by clearing it from the liver.
Reduces menstrual clots by clearing excess estrogen.
Anti-inflammatory.
Helps prevent immune depletion caused by stress.
Adaptogenic. Helps your body regulate stress.
Helps relieve anxiety.
Counters stress by reducing cortisol levels.
Use
Powder form: 1 tsp – 1 tbsp in water or juice daily.
When introducing any new, herb, food or supplement into your system start with a small dose and work your way up. Schizandra can be taken as a tincture, in capsules, in powder form, and the dried berries can be decocted into a tea.
ROSEMARY
Rosemarinus Officinalis
Increases estrogen breakdown.
Rosemary is protective against breast tumors.
It may also help heal estrogen dominant breast cancers.
It has great anti-inflammatory and possesses a special synergy with curcumin, which is found in turmeric.
Research studies deem it a true powerhouse in fighting breast cancer.
LICORICE ROOT
Glycyrrhiza Glabra
A hormone balancer.
The chinese have long used this root to help with menopause.
Has tumor-reducing, immune-boosting and hormone-regulating factors within the root.
Also supports oral health and digestion.
Contains compounds known to slow and stop cancer cell growth.
CHAMOMILE
Matricaria Chamomilla
High source of antioxidants
Improves digestion. Having a strong and healthy digestion will be key in breast health. You need to able to digest and absorb nutrients properly. You also want to keep any toxins and bacteria from entering the bloodstream via holes in the intestinal lining, ie. leaky gut.
Anti-inflammatory
Helps promote relaxation and sleep.
Contains an antioxidant, apigenin, which have been studied to show it’s ability to inhibit breast cancer cells.
ASTRAGALUS
Astragalus Propinquus
Wonderful for building a powerful immunity. If you’re dealing with any kind of health issue, boosting your immunity is an incredibly important and powerful step in achieving health.
Often giving in Chinese hospitals to cancer patients to help protect them from the side effects of chemo and radiation treatments.
NETTLE
Urtica Dioica
Encourages and nourishes good flow of blood, lymph and energy through the breasts.
Helps breast tissue lose excess fluids.
Strengthens the immune system.
Helps calm feelings of panic and powerlessness.
Has life enhancing and life extending benefits.
BURDOCK
Arctium
Burdock is one of the most detoxifying herbs and wonderful for supporting liver health and healthy estrogen metabolism.
It is a cooling herb and great for healing inflammation.
A congested liver not only leads to unbalanced hormones, but can also lead to skin issues.
It improves lymphatic flow and stimulates the immune system.
Reverses abnormal cellular changes, pre-cancers and in situ cancers
It is a powerful ally for women with indeterminate calcification (small calcium deposits that develop in breast tissue) and in situ cancers.
Burdock root oil can be applied to tumors, cysts, breast cancers.
Fresh root binds and removes heavy metals and chemicals.
Tones liver
Works well with dandelion, red clover.
“Burdock is slow acting but miraculous. It can be taken regularly for 2-3 years and has been known to eliminate precancerous cells and in situ cancers of the breast and cervix.” S. Weed
It’s a wonderful preventative medicine
RED CLOVER
Trifolium Pratense
Helpful in reducing breast pain and menopause symptoms.
May be protective against breast cancer and breast cancer recurrence.
Softens lumps
Dissolves growths
May reverse pre-cancerous conditions
Known to restore cancerous cells to health.
Keeps breast cells from absorbing cancer-causing estrogens.
Used internally and externally to dissolve growths
Turns off oncogenes (genes that has the ability to cause cancer.)
Red Clover blossom oil helps the lymph system reabsorb unneeded cells. Combine it with internal use of red clover blossom infusion for an even better chance of eliminating abnormal cells.
Spiritual Powers
Luck with money, love, protection and fidelity
Uses
Fresh blossoms can be eaten
Dried flower infusion
Homeopathic Trifolium is specific for breast cancer
Works well with dandelion, mints and echinacea.
Red Clover Tea
Dry some red clover flowers for a few days and voila, you have some red clover herbal tea.
You can also steep the flowers the night before and you’ll have an incredibly medicinal and powerful infusion ready for you the next day.
Here’s a testimonial of someone who dissolved a growth in her breast by using a red clover poultice.
GINGER
Zinziber Officinale
Used on a regular basis, even in smaller quantities, ginger is great at blocking mutations that can initiate breast cancer.
It’s filled with antioxidants and anti-cancer phytochemicals.
It improves the body’s ability to fight carcinogens.
Fresh ginger root can also be used as poultice or compress. Many women have reportedly reduced and eliminated breast lumps with a ginger compress.
CHASTEBERRY
Vitex Agnus- Castus
Used to help regulate hormones and the menstrual cycle by acting on the pituitary gland.
It’s a slow action herb and may take several months before you start seeing any effects.
Can be useful in shrinking lumps.
It is known to cause depression. Pay close attention to mood and emotional state when taking this herb. Another wonderful option is Paeonia.
PEONY
Paeonia Lactiflora
My new favorite hormone harmonizing herb. Can’t recommend it enough if you’re struggling with balancing your hormones.
Excellent for helping to regulate the menstrual cycle.
It’s very gentle, fast acting and needs only very low doses.
Not as common as chasteberry and a bit harder to find in stores.
It’s also a great stress reducer and used extensively in TCM.
CEDAR
Thuja Plicata
Contains or reduces the size of the fibroadenoma, tumor.
This is hard to find and only ever used it with herbalist Krista Dawn Poulton.
Only used for 6 week intervals.
CLEAVERS
Galium Apararine
Shrinks cysts and other benign lumps (sometimes within a few days.)
CHICKWEED
Stellaria Media
Chickweed tincture is known to dissolve cysts, ovarian ones especially, when taken on a consistent basis.
SIBERIAN GINSENG
Eleutherococcus Senticosus
One of the most effective adaptogens and immune tonic.
Inhibits metastases.
Protects against effects of chemicals, stress and radiation.
Strengthens and enhances immune system.
Protects liver, adrenals and central nervous system.
Anti-cancer
Russian researchers greatly recommend the use of Siberian ginseng for breast cancers, primary tumours, metastases and recurrences.
HIBISCUS
Hibiscus Rosa - Sinensis
Hibiscus helps to purify the blood and the heart both spiritually and physically.
Since the breasts are located right next to the heart, any healing of this energetic and physical centre will greatly support breast health. Whatever you can do to open, heal, release any stagnant energy in this area will be greatly beneficial.
ROSE
Rosa
Rose soothes the heart and emotions.
Rose opens the heart and heals heartbreak.
It also balances the mind and lifts the spirit.
Cool, moisturizes and soothes the skin.
Soothes feelings of resentment and anger.
Used to overcome grief and to ready the heart for a new beginning.
In Ayurveda, Rose balances all three doshas.
Rose is cooling but enhances digestive fire.
Rose otto has an incredibly high vibrational frequency of 320Hz, while most essential oils average 52Hz. This makes it incredibly healing and powerful.
LEMON BALM
Melissa Officinalis
Lemon balm is strongly associated with the the divine feminine and the emotional self.
Lemon balm is wonderful for treating worry and healing heartbreak.
Great for those who give out too much love. Encourages more of a balance, as well as for those who are unable to receive love.
Lemon Balm has a strong association with water, and thus with the emotions and their balance and understanding.
Used to attract romantic love. Eases and opens the heart.
“All of the plants that are named after women, like Melissa, are really, really sacred plants.”
MOTHERWORT
Leonurus Cardiaca
Motherwort literally strengthens the heart and spiritually strengthens the heart.
Particularly effective in helping to slow the heartbeat that is revved up due to stress.
Decreases palpitations while also acting on the spiritual heart to soothe and calm anxiety.
Anxiety makes the heart hard and when you use motherwort you experience a softening and opening of the heart.
Tinctures, Capsules or Infusions
What are the best way to consume herbs: tinctures, capsules, or infusions?
“The best form to take herbal medicine really depends on the herb. Some of our herbal constituents, the chemical makeup of the plant that delivers the health benefits, are best extracted in alcohol, water, or oil. I often find tinctures, alcohol extracted preparations, are the easiest for my patients to take for compliance, as there is no preparation required to consume. However with tinctures, some individuals find the alcohol difficult to take or are unable to consume alcohol. Tea infusions I personally find has the least compliance with taking regularly everyday as the patient needs to prepare the medicine. I also like giving capsules, however only 2-3 herbs can go into the capsule itself, so for many of my patients that are on 10 herbs, taking 9 capsules 3x/day is not very agreeable to them. Additionally, with capsules as it is just dried herb the individual needs to extract out the medicine, therefore they need to have a good digestion system to break down the capsule and herb and absorb the medicine into their system.”