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.
Breast skin cracks 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 skin cracks 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 skin cracks is often associated with breast distention, breast lumps and breast pain in the pattern “Liver Qi Stagnation”. As you will see below, we have in record four patterns that can cause breast skin cracks.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of breast skin cracks we’ve identified five 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 skin cracks.
The four "patterns of disharmony" that can cause breast skin cracks
In Chinese Medicine breast skin cracks is a symptom for 4 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them 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 skin cracks, other symptoms associated with Liver Qi Stagnation include breast distention, breast lumps and breast pain.
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".
Crow-Dipper Rhizomes (Ban Xia) is the king ingredient for Er Chen Tang, a formula used for Phlegm
Phlegm
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Sticky coating, Thick coating
Tongue shape: Swollen
The concept of Phlegm is much wider and important in Chinese Medicine than in the West. Broadly speaking, Phlegm is a substance produced when the body fails to handle Body Fluids properly.
In addition to breast skin cracks, other symptoms associated with Phlegm include breast distention, irritability and depression.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Phlegm is associated with health issues such as Low Breast Milk Supply, Late Menstruation or Scanty Menstruation.
Phlegm is often treated with Er Chen Tang, a herbal formula made of 5 herbs (including Crow-Dipper Rhizomes - Ban Xia - as a key herb). Er Chen Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that dry dampness and transform phlegm", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Dries Damp and dispels Phlegm".
The Stomach is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Stomach in Chinese Medicine
Stomach Fire or Stomach Heat
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Slippery (Hua), Full (Shi)
Tongue coating: Yellow coating
Tongue color: Red centre
Stomach Fire indicates a true Excess of Heat in the Stomach, creating symptoms such as mouth ulcers, bad breath, intense thirst and gum bleeding. Stomach Fire can be the result of excessive intake of hot, spicy, greasy and deep fried foods or other factors such as alcohol, tobacco and sugar.
In addition to breast skin cracks, other symptoms associated with Stomach Fire or Stomach Heat include breast distention, breast lumps and breast pain.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Stomach Fire or Stomach Heat is associated with health issues such as Mastitis, Breast Engorgement or Morning Sickness.
Stomach Fire or Stomach Heat is often treated with Qing Wei San, a herbal formula made of 5 herbs (including Goldthread Rhizomes - Huang Lian - as a key herb). Qing Wei San belongs to the category of "formulas that clear heat from the organs", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Drains Stomach Fire".
Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi) is the king ingredient for Tuo Li Xiao Du San, a formula used for Blow Breast (Chui Ru)
Blow Breast (Chui Ru)
Pulse type(s): Weak (Ruo)
Tongue coating: Partial absence of coating
Tongue color: Pale
In addition to breast skin cracks, other symptoms associated with Blow Breast (Chui Ru) include breast distention, breast lumps and breast pain.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Blow Breast (Chui Ru) is associated with health issues such as Mastitis or Breast Engorgement.
Blow Breast (Chui Ru) is often treated with Tuo Li Xiao Du San, a herbal formula made of 11 herbs (including Milkvetch Roots - Huang Qi - as a key herb). Tuo Li Xiao Du San belongs to the category of "formulas that clear internal abscesses and sores", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Draws out toxicity".
Five herbal formulas that might help with breast skin cracks
Unblock Nursing Tea
Number of ingredients: 12 herbs
Key actions: Alleviates milk blockages and uneven supply issues*
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Why might Unblock Nursing Tea help with breast skin cracks?
Designed by Me & Qi's expert practitioners to tackle some of the patterns that can cause breast skin cracks, Unblock Nursing Tea is a 100% natural and vegan product composed solely of the 12 herbs listed in its ingredients.
Xia Ru Yong Quan San
Source date: 1840 AD
Number of ingredients: 11 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes Blood. Increases breast milk supply.
Why might Xia Ru Yong Quan San help with breast skin cracks?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Qi Stagnation' of which breast skin cracks is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Liver Qi Stagnation can contribute to many health issues, including Low Breast Milk Supply.
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 skin cracks?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm' of which breast skin cracks is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Phlegm can contribute to many health issues, including Low Breast Milk Supply.
Gua Lou San
Source date: 1826 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Remove breast carbuncle (mastitis) after birth giving.
Why might Gua Lou San help with breast skin cracks?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Stomach Fire or Stomach Heat' of which breast skin cracks is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Stomach Fire or Stomach Heat can contribute to many health issues, including Mastitis.
Tuo Li Xiao Du San
Source date: 1548 AD
Number of ingredients: 11 herbs
Key actions: Draws out toxicity. Expels pus from the interior. Tonifies Qi and Blood.
Why might Tuo Li Xiao Du San help with breast skin cracks?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Blow Breast (Chui Ru)' of which breast skin cracks is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Blow Breast (Chui Ru) can contribute to many health issues, including Mastitis.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat breast skin cracks
Why might Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with breast skin cracks?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat breast skin cracks 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 Spleen, the Heart and the Liver.
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 Atractylodes Rhizome (Bai Zhu) help with breast skin cracks?
Because Atractylodes Rhizome is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat breast skin cracks as a symptom, like Yue Ju Wan or Xiao Yao San for instance.
Atractylodes Rhizomes is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Spleen Qi. Fortifies the Spleen Yang and dispels Damp through urination. Tonifies Qi and stops sweating. Calms restless fetus when due to Deficiency of Spleen Qi.
Why might White Peony Root (Bai Shao) help with breast skin cracks?
Because White Peony Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat breast skin cracks as a symptom, like Xia Ru Yong Quan San or Xiao Yao San for instance.
White Peony Roots is a Neutral herb that tastes Bitter and Sour. It targets the Spleen and the Liver.
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.
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with breast skin cracks?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat breast skin cracks as a symptom, like Xiao Yao San or Gua Lou San for instance.
Liquorice is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Stomach, the Heart and the Lung.
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 skin cracks?
Because Szechuan Lovage Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat breast skin cracks as a symptom, like Yue Ju Wan or Xia Ru Yong Quan San 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.
Me & Qi product associated with breast skin cracks
Conditions associated with breast skin cracks
Other symptoms often associated with breast skin cracks
Breast distention Breast lumps Breast pain Breast redness Fever White spots on nipples Uneven milk supply Breast pus discharge Breast hardness Constipation