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.
Dark nipple color 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 dark nipple color 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 dark nipple color is often associated with insufficient or absent lactation after childbirth, poor appetite and breast distention in the pattern “Liver Qi Stagnation”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause dark nipple color.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of dark nipple color we’ve identified three 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 dark nipple color.
The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause dark nipple color
In Chinese Medicine dark nipple color is a symptom for 2 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 dark nipple color, other symptoms associated with Liver Qi Stagnation include insufficient or absent lactation after childbirth, poor appetite and breast distention.
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 dark nipple color, other symptoms associated with Phlegm include watery milk, no feeling of distension of the breasts and fatigue.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Phlegm is associated with health issues such as Low Breast Milk Supply, Menopausal Syndrome or Morning Sickness.
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".
Three herbal formulas that might help with dark nipple color
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 dark nipple color?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Qi Stagnation' of which dark nipple color 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 dark nipple color?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm' of which dark nipple color is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Phlegm can contribute to many health issues, including Low Breast Milk Supply.
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 dark nipple color?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Qi Stagnation' of which dark nipple color is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Liver Qi Stagnation can contribute to many health issues, including Low Breast Milk Supply.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat dark nipple color
Why might Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with dark nipple color?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat dark nipple color 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 Szechuan Lovage Root (Chuan Xiong) help with dark nipple color?
Because Szechuan Lovage Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat dark nipple color 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.
Why might Atractylodes Rhizome (Bai Zhu) help with dark nipple color?
Because Atractylodes Rhizome is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat dark nipple color 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 Bupleurum Root (Chai Hu) help with dark nipple color?
Because Bupleurum Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat dark nipple color as a symptom, like Xiao Yao San or Xia Ru Yong Quan San for instance.
Bupleurum Roots is a Cool herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Gallbladder and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Harmonizes exterior and interior. Smoothes the Liver and upraises the Yang.
Why might White Peony Root (Bai Shao) help with dark nipple color?
Because White Peony Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat dark nipple color 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 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.
Conditions associated with dark nipple color
Other symptoms often associated with dark nipple color
Insufficient or absent lactation after childbirth Watery milk No feeling of distension of the breasts Fatigue Pale face Pale lips Poor appetite Dry skin Hair loss Spontaneous flow of breast milk