When my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009, I remember the call vividly. In the middle of a discussion on a new research project for my Medical Ethnobotany course at university, my phone rang. When I heard the news of my motherʻs Stage III breast cancer diagnosis, I did not know what to think, what it all meant, and how much longer I would have my mom around. When I went back into the class, I knew exactly what the topic of my research would be: herbs for breast health and cancer healing.
Since that day, my mother became a cancer survivor after a double mastectomy and 5 years of cancer treatment, and unfortunately, due to medical negligence, she also became someone courageously living with metastatic breast cancer. She succumbed to the disease in 2015 at age 57. In the years following this loss, I found it difficult to touch my own breast. It is a continual practice to overcome the fear. It was freeing to have a change in perspective- away from pain and anger and toward curiosity and compassion. With a slow, steady, sensual, and easeful approach, I was able to welcome my breasts back to me. With the help of research (cue epigenetics) and late night epiphanies, I realized it was not helpful to live in fear of negative potentialities (which is the realm Western medicine likes to dwell in). In reality, the potential for me to be breast healthy was just as valid a possibility in the wide expanse of possibilities. How could I support myself to work through the trauma and my ancestral healing and live in celebration of my breast? I began with the tender ritual of reacquainting myself to my breasts through breast massage. As a witness to the entirety of my momʻs journey, I knew that the manifestation of disease in the breasts was not just a physical ailment due to faulty genes, it is holistically spiritual and emotional as well. You cannot tackle one aspect without also addressing the other aspects to the manifestation. There was a lack of support, security, care, and nourishment for my mom, which is exactly what this organ functions to give. Unfortunately, this absence of community, support, and care is a very common experience for mothers in the systems which we find ourselves living within. Through the physical act of massage coupled with the powerful medicine of intention and elevated emotions such as love, compassion, and gratitude, we can heal those parts of ourselves that need attention, acknowledgment, love, and honoring. Each time I do my breast massage, the grief, the worry, the fear dissolves, and I am left with love. It is a practice in wholeness. Breast health is a vital preventative component of long-term holistic womenʻs health. The breasts are sacred, life-giving, and nourishing organs that deserve our consistent care, love, and appreciation. With 1 in 8 women developing breast cancer in their lifetime, it is important to give this area of our body extra love and attention, promote movement of fluids to efficiently expel toxin build up, and to address healing of blocked energy channels regarding issues of the heart. Breast massage is a potent ritual we can incorporate into our daily routine to empower ourselves as active participants in our health care. Breast massage does not have to take too long; it can be done without oils in the shower, while you are moisturizing after a shower, or right before bed. Even 2 to 5 minutes daily is enough to send a powerful message to this sacred part of your body: “I care, I appreciate, and I honor this part of myself. So, just do it! As my Indo-Caribbean mother would say, “Rub up your breasts!” The Science behind Breast Massage The breasts contain major lymphatic channels that drain into nodes seated in the axillary region or armpit, and the sternum, right at the heart center. Lymph nodes produce antibodies that help to eliminate harmful foreign bodies. By caring for our breasts through breast massage, we are not only helping the physical movement of fluids, but also caring for our tender hearts. In this way, we clear emotional holding, assist in lymphatic drainage, as well as increase vitality of our breasts. In Ayurveda, the seven dhatus (or bodily tissues) helps to explain the specific needs of the breast area. They are as follows: (1) rasa or plasma, (2) meda or fat/adipose tissue, (3) rakta or blood, (4) mamsa or muscle, (5) sukra or reproductive tissues, (6) asthi or bones, and (7) majja or bone marrow. The significant dhatus of the breasts include meda dhatu (or adipose tissues) and rasa dhatu (or lymph/plasma) which has significance for the skin, menstrual flow, and lactation. The quality of your lymph and adipose, or rasa and meda dhatu, plays a major role in breast health. Since toxins are stored in adipose, the breast region is, unfortunately, also the site of toxin collection and storage. All of the environmental pollutants we are exposed to daily, such as pesticides, antibiotics, and hormones in food, air pollutants or smog, and the multitude of chemicals present in our water supply, in our medications, our cleaning products, personal care products, and plastics, contributes to why breast cancer is so prevalent today. By supporting the elimination of these toxins in the meda dhatu and helping with the flow of rasa dhatu, we improve the quality of these tissues and help to decrease our risk of developing imbalance and disease. Toxins are also released through sweat, so exercise and hydration is essential to maintain the healthy flow within these tissues. Your specific dosha is communicated through your breast type and can also help to understand imbalances in the breast tissue.
For postpartum and lactating women in particular, lymph stagnation can be very painful and shows up in the form of engorgement. Breast massage during lactation can not only ease this painful build up of milk, but it also has the opposite benefit of improving milk flow for those that are having a slow start to milk production. Breast massage can be a great accompaniment to hand- expressing milk as well, adding it in right before you express to help with the flow. It can also act as prevention from the formation of abscesses and infections, or “mastitis.” For postpartum mothers, breast massage can also release oxytocin, which has a powerful effect on lifting the mood. The instant and long-term mental health benefits, as well as stress reduction is helpful in keeping depression away for a new mother. Breast massage can also target marma points, or subtle energy points, and help to release blocked energy in the chest area. Marma points are similar to acupuncture points in Chinese Medicine and targeting these points also has a correlated effect of balancing a person's energy and allowing energy to flow more freely. Repressed emotions such as anxiety, grief, stress, anger, frustration, guilt, or sadness can disrupt the flow of prana near the heart chakra. Through massage of specific marma points, these emotions can be released, while also allowing better flow of pranic energy and breath. Many women have experienced the disappearance of masses or lumps by releasing their emotional repression. See below for a description of marma points around the breast area. You can press gently on these points with your fingertips for a minute while breathing deeply and holding the feeling of love in your mindʻs eye. Marma Point for Breast Massage: Stanya Mula On both sides of the breastbone, at the level of the nipple Relieves congestion, promotes lymph circulation, helps with lactation Stanya Parshva On the side of the chest beneath the armpit, in the 7th intercostal space Also, relieves congestion, promotes lymph circulation, helps with lactation Hrid Marmani On both sides of the breastbone- in the 3rd, 4th and 5th intercostal spaces Same as marmas above, as well as targets the heart and lungs and overall functioning of the chest and heart chakra. Can relieve stress and calm emotions. Hridayam In the center of the breastbone, at the level of the 3rd intercostal spaces Primary marma for the heart chakra. Info sheet from Banyan Botanicals The How To of Breast Massage As I mentioned before, breast massage can be done whenever you have the time; for a few minutes, or for 20 minutes. It is entirely more important that you carve out some time to do it- the more often, the better- but the where, when and how is pretty much up to you! In the shower is an ideal time if you are a busy mama. But, post-bath is optimal since you can get the added benefit of moisturizing with healing oils when your pores are open and breasts already warmed. You can also carve out separate time and make it a special self-love ritual using warmed oils. Get as creative as you would like with it, and know your body will thank you! Below is a step-by-step suggestion that targets specific areas; however, you can also let your intuition be the guide and pick and choose steps as you see fit.
Oils & Herbs for breast massage: The following oils are great to use during breast massage. Consider heating the oils to further enhance the potency of the experience. Heat will melt kapha so that it can flow through the dilated channel as well as clear vata constriction in the breast. You can warm the oil by placing a glass container with the oil in a bowl of warm water. You can also apply the oil and then place something warm over the breast like a warm wet cloth or a hot water bottle. Below you will find best oils for lactating women, as well as best oil for fibrocystic breasts. Oils for lactating women: Sesame Oil: Great for all doshas, but especially for Vata types, this warming oil is deeply moisturizing and anti-inflammatory. It is high in essential fatty acids and antioxidants. Almond Oil: High in vitamin E, this oil can help to reduce stretch marks on the breasts. It is also a lighter, more easily absorbed oil. For cases of clogged ducts or infection, almond oil is a great choice as it can release what may be clogging pores. Coconut Oil: While cooling, and better for Pitta types, this oil is traditionally used in warmer climate, tropical areas, and is safe for baby. Lavender Essential Oil: anti-microbial Calendula essential Oil: Soothes and reduces inflammation Oils for fibrocystic breasts (*not to be used for breastfeeding mothers): 1. Castor Oil: A penetrating and heating carrier oil, castor oil helps to pull toxins from the lymphatic system, diminish cysts, and reduce pain and swelling. I also like to use the “Breast Care Balm” specifically for fibrocystic breasts from Banyan Botanicals. Here is a list of the ingredients: Castor Oil, Sesame Oil, Sunflower Oil, Coconut Oil, Beeswax, Guduchi stem, Manjistha root, Tulsi leaf, Punarnava root, Amalaki fruit, Arjuna bark, Bhumyamalaki herb, Licorice root, Guggulu resin, Palmarosa essential oil. 2. Oregano oil: used in instances of infection 3. Chamomile oil: anti-microbial properties Other oils to consider: 1. Evening Primrose Oil: Used as a beauty oil to prevent sagging and increase breast size 2. Clove Essential Oil (1-2 drops/ cup of oil): A very strong, heating spice used to increase circulation in the breasts. I hope you consider this potent ritual for wholeness and give yourself the gift of time and self-love that you truly deserve. Credits: https://artoflivingretreatcenter.org/blog/ayurvedic-breast-massage/ https://thewomenswellnesscollective.com/journal/2018/1/29/healing-breast-massage https://www.healinghandsbodywork.com/a-really-good-massage-blog/ayurvedic-breast-massage-why-benefits-self-care
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