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.
Dense milk 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 dense milk 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 dense milk is often associated with breast distention, irritability and insomnia in the pattern “Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of dense milk 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 dense milk.
Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause dense milk
In Chinese Medicine dense milk is a symptom for the pattern "Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire". 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
Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian)
Tongue color: Red points on the sides
This pattern develops from Liver Qi Stagnation, which creates excessive amount of Heat and then turn into Liver Fire. The Heat is more intense here.
In addition to dense milk, other symptoms associated with Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire include breast distention, irritability and insomnia.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire is associated with health issues such as Menstrual Cramps or Spontaneous Flow Of Breast Milk.
Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire is often treated with Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Mudan Peony Bark - Mu Dan Pi - as a key herb). Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San belongs to the category of "formulas that clear liver-heat", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Clears Liver Fire from Stagnant Liver Qi".
Three herbal formulas that might help with dense milk
Milk Boost Tea
Number of ingredients: 13 herbs
Key actions: Promotes healthy breast milk production*
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Why might Milk Boost Tea help with dense milk?
Designed by Me & Qi's expert practitioners to tackle some of the patterns that can cause dense milk, Milk Boost Tea is a 100% natural and vegan product composed solely of the 13 herbs listed in its ingredients.
Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San
Source date: 2002 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Clears Liver Fire from Stagnant Liver Qi.
Why might Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San help with dense milk?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire' of which dense milk is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire can contribute to many health issues, including Spontaneous Flow Of Breast Milk.
Long Dan Xie Gan Tang
Source date: 1682 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat and Fire from the Liver and Gallbladder. Clears and drains Damp-Heat from the Lower Burner.
Why might Long Dan Xie Gan Tang help with dense milk?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire' of which dense milk is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire can contribute to many health issues, including Spontaneous Flow Of Breast Milk.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat dense milk
Why might Bupleurum Root (Chai Hu) help with dense milk?
Because Bupleurum Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat dense milk as a symptom, like Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San or Long Dan Xie Gan Tang 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 Cape Jasmine Fruit (Zhi Zi) help with dense milk?
Because Cape Jasmine Fruit is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat dense milk as a symptom, like Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San or Long Dan Xie Gan Tang for instance.
Cape Jasmine Fruits is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Gallbladder, the Heart, the Lung and the Sanjiao.
Its main actions are: Clears Heat and calms spirit. Drains Damp-Heat affecting the Liver and Gallbladder. Clears Heat in the Blood and stops bleeding. Anti-inflammatory.
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with dense milk?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat dense milk as a symptom, like Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San or Long Dan Xie Gan Tang 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 Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with dense milk?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat dense milk as a symptom, like Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San or Long Dan Xie Gan Tang 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 Chinese Gentian (Long Dan Cao) help with dense milk?
Because it is a key herb in Long Dan Xie Gan Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern '' (a pattern with dense milk as a symptom)
Chinese Gentian is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Gallbladder, the Heart, the Large intestine, the Liver and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Expels Damp-Heat especially in the Liver and Gallbladder Meridians. Clears Liver-Fire. Clears Liver-Wind.
Me & Qi product associated with dense milk
Conditions associated with dense milk
Other symptoms often associated with dense milk
Watery milk Insufficient or absent lactation after childbirth No feeling of distension of the breasts Pale face Pale lips Poor appetite Fatigue Breast distention Irritability Insomnia