Breast lumps according to Chinese Medicine
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
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Breast lumps can be the consequence of several so-called “patterns of disharmony” in Chinese Medicine.
Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted, leading to symptoms or signs that something is wrong (like breast lumps here). It is similar to the concept of disease in Western Medicine but not quite: a Western disease can often be explained by several Chinese patterns and vice-versa.
A pattern often manifests itself in a combination of symptoms that, at first glance, do not seem necessarily related to each others. For instance here breast lumps is often associated with breast pain, breast distention and breast hardness in the pattern “Liver Qi Stagnation”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of breast lumps we’ve identified six herbal formulas that may help treat patterns behind the symptom.
We’ve also selected below the five medicinal herbs that we think are most likely to help treat breast lumps.
Liver Qi Stagnation, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause breast lumps
In Chinese Medicine breast lumps is a symptom for the pattern "Liver Qi Stagnation". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Liver Qi Stagnation
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian)
Tongue color: Normal (light red)
When Liver Qi does not flow smoothly or regularly, it becomes Stagnant and in Excess. This leads to Heat accumulating in the Liver. The feeling of ‘Distension’ (zhang 胀) is the main symptom of Liver Qi Stagnation.
In addition to breast lumps, other symptoms associated with Liver Qi Stagnation include breast pain, breast distention and breast hardness.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Liver Qi Stagnation is associated with health issues such as Low Breast Milk Supply, Mastitis or Breast Engorgement.
Liver Qi Stagnation is often treated with Xiao Yao San, a herbal formula made of 6 herbs (including Bupleurum Roots - Chai Hu - as a key herb). Xiao Yao San belongs to the category of "formulas that harmonize liver-spleen", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Harmonizes the function of Liver and Spleen".
Six herbal formulas that might help with breast lumps
Unblock Nursing Tea
Number of ingredients: 12 herbs
Key actions: Alleviates milk blockages and uneven supply issues*
Rating: from 123 customer reviews
Why might Unblock Nursing Tea help with breast lumps?
Designed by Me & Qi's expert practitioners to tackle some of the patterns that can cause breast lumps, Unblock Nursing Tea is a 100% natural and vegan product composed solely of the 12 herbs listed in its ingredients.
Chai Hu Shu Gan San
Source date: 1602
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Disperses Stagnant Liver Qi and Blood. Alleviates pain. Harmonizes Blood.
Why might Chai Hu Shu Gan San help with breast lumps?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Qi Stagnation' of which breast lumps is a symptom.
Xiao Yao San
Source date: 1107 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Harmonizes the function of Liver and Spleen. Relieves Liver Qi stagnation. Nourishes the Blood.
Why might Xiao Yao San help with breast lumps?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Qi Stagnation' of which breast lumps is a symptom.
Jia Wei Xiao Yao San
Source date: Ming dynasty
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Clears Liver and Spleen Qi Stagnation. Tonifies Spleen. Clears Deficient Heat. Nourishes the blood.
Why might Jia Wei Xiao Yao San help with breast lumps?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Qi Stagnation' of which breast lumps is a symptom.
Yue Ju Wan
Source date: 1481 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Promotes the movement of Qi. Releases all types of Stagnation (Qi, Blood, Phlegm, Fire, Food and Dampness).
Why might Yue Ju Wan help with breast lumps?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Qi Stagnation' of which breast lumps is a symptom.
Yi Guan Jian
Source date: 1770
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Enriches the Yin. Spreads the Liver Qi .
Why might Yi Guan Jian help with breast lumps?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Qi Stagnation' of which breast lumps is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for breast lumps
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat breast lumps
Why might Green Tangerine Peel (Qing Pi) help with breast lumps?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat breast lumps and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat breast lumps as a symptom (such as Gua Lou San for instance).
Green Tangerine Peel is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Gallbladder, the Stomach and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Smooths the flow of Liver Qi and releases Stagnation. Reduces Food Stagnation. Dries Damp and reduces Phlegm.
Why might Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with breast lumps?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat breast lumps as a symptom, like Xia Ru Yong Quan San or Xiao Yao San for instance.
Dong Quai is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Liver and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood. Lubricates the Intestines. Relieve constipation. Promotes circulation and dispels Bi Pain. Reduce Dysmenorrhea and help with irregular menstruation.
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with breast lumps?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat breast lumps as a symptom, like Tuo Li Xiao Du San or Xiao Yao San for instance.
Liquorice is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Lung, the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Basal Qi and nourishes the Spleen Qi. Clears Heat and dispels toxicity. Moistens the Lungsexpel phlegm and stop coughing. Relieves spasms and alleviates pain. Harmonizes and moderates the effects of other herbs.
Why might Szechuan Lovage Root (Chuan Xiong) help with breast lumps?
Because Szechuan Lovage Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat breast lumps as a symptom, like Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang or Yue Ju Wan for instance.
Szechuan Lovage Roots is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Gallbladder, the Liver and the Pericardium.
Its main actions are: Regulates and moves the Blood. Relieves Wind-Cold and pain. Circulates the Qi in the Upper Burner, relieving headaches.
Why might White Peony Root (Bai Shao) help with breast lumps?
Because White Peony Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat breast lumps as a symptom, like Xiao Yao San or Jia Wei Xiao Yao San for instance.
White Peony Roots is a Neutral herb that tastes Bitter and Sour. It targets the Liver and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood and preserves the Yin. Nourishes the Liver and assists in the smooth flow of Qi. Regulates the meridians and eases the pain.
Me & Qi product associated with breast lumps
Other symptoms often associated with breast lumps
Breast pain Breast distention Breast hardness Breast redness Uneven milk supply Irritability Depression Dizziness Night sweats Hot flushes