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.
White spots on nipples 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 white spots on nipples 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 white spots on nipples is often associated with breast pain, breast distention and breast lumps in the pattern “Liver Qi Stagnation”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause white spots on nipples.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of white spots on nipples we’ve identified two 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 white spots on nipples.
The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause white spots on nipples
In Chinese Medicine white spots on nipples 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 white spots on nipples, other symptoms associated with Liver Qi Stagnation include breast pain, breast distention and breast lumps.
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".
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 white spots on nipples, other symptoms associated with Blow Breast (Chui Ru) include breast pain, breast distention and breast lumps.
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".
Two herbal formulas that might help with white spots on nipples
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 white spots on nipples?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Qi Stagnation' of which white spots on nipples is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Liver Qi Stagnation 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 white spots on nipples?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Blow Breast (Chui Ru)' of which white spots on nipples 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 white spots on nipples
Why might Angelica Root (Bai Zhi) help with white spots on nipples?
Because Angelica Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat white spots on nipples as a symptom, like Gua Lou San or Tuo Li Xiao Du San for instance.
Angelica Roots is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Spleen, the Stomach and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Relieves the Exterior and disperses Wind. Disperses Wind and Cold from the Yang Brightness channels. Relieves Wind-Damp Cold painful obstruction. Dries Dampness and pus and reduces swelling. Opens the nasal passages.
Why might Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with white spots on nipples?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat white spots on nipples as a symptom, like Gua Lou San or Tuo Li Xiao Du 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 Honeysuckle Flower (Jin Yin Hua) help with white spots on nipples?
Because Honeysuckle Flower is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat white spots on nipples as a symptom, like Gua Lou San or Tuo Li Xiao Du San for instance.
Honeysuckle Flowers is a Cold herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Stomach, the Heart and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Clears Heat and dispels toxicity. Dispels Wind-Heat derived from an External pathogen. Expels Damp-Heat from the Lower Burner. Relieves Carbuncles.
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with white spots on nipples?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat white spots on nipples as a symptom, like Tuo Li Xiao Du 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 Snake Gourd (Gua Lou) help with white spots on nipples?
Because it is a key herb in Gua Lou San, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern '' (a pattern with white spots on nipples as a symptom)
Snake Gourds is a Cold herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Stomach, the Large intestine and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Clears Phlegm-Heat conditions with thick difficult to expectorate sputum. Regulates the Qi of the chest and relieves constriction and swellings of the chest and Lungs. Lubricates the Intestines.
Conditions associated with white spots on nipples
Other symptoms often associated with white spots on nipples
Breast pain Breast distention Breast lumps Breast redness Fever Uneven milk supply Breast pus discharge Breast hardness Constipation Breast skin cracks