We’ve been eager to share Ayurvedic insights into breast health with you, and what better month to do it than October? As you may be aware, every October, countries around the world observe Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Since 1985, this vital campaign has been spreading the word about breast cancer prevention, testing, and treatment, as well as honoring the lives lost to this deadly disease. Breast cancer is so common that the World Health Organization (WHO) calls it “by far the most common cancer in women worldwide,” with 1.38 million reported cases worldwide and 458,000 deaths per year (IARC Globocan, 2008). Unfortunately, rather of decreasing, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation says that global breast cancer rates have climbed by 20% since 2008. Longer life expectancy, urbanization, and countries adopting Western diet and lifestyle patterns, according to the WHO, all contribute to this increase in breast cancer incidence. From an Ayurvedic standpoint, we couldn’t agree more that environmental degradation in the form of urbanization, as well as the nutrient-deficient diet and sedentary lifestyle promoted by modern western culture, can be a perfect breeding ground for imbalances to go deeper and deeper into our bodies, eventually manifesting as a disease, such as breast cancer.
Despite these facts, we are not doomed since we have Ayurveda, India’s 5,000-year-old medical tradition, on our side to shed light on practical activities we can all take to keep our breast tissue healthy throughout our lifetimes. In contrast to western allopathic treatment, Ayurveda actually emphasizes preventative care and gives some simple ideas and practices that we can easily adopt into our day to give our breasts some extra TLC because, Lord knows, we could all use a little more of that! Please keep in mind that these practices apply to everyone, not just women, because breast cancer affects men as well. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every 100 cases of breast cancer diagnosed in the United States occurs in a man. So, gather your loved ones and share this Ayurvedic breast health information!
Anatomy Of The Breast
Breasts have a complex structure, however they are mostly made up of lymph, fatty adipose tissue, and glandular tissue for milk production in women. Lymph is a biological fluid found in the lymphatic system that contains infection-fighting white blood cells. The lymphatic system’s primary function is to cleanse the body of poisons and wastes. Because lymph is a physiological fluid, it is classified as rasa dhatu in Ayurvedic medicine. According to Ayurveda, the rasa dhatu contains all fluids in the body such as lymph, plasma, blood, and breast milk, whereas the medas dhatu contains fatty tissue. When all of these anatomical components are considered together, we may conclude that breast health is mostly governed by the health of our bodily tissues, particularly the rasa and medas dhatus, as well as the ease with which the lymph can move without restriction. Breast health is also linked to the health and joy in our hearts from a holistic standpoint. When we encounter stress, suffering, loss, or judge ourselves harshly, our breast health suffers and the quality of our breast tissue deteriorates. These distinctions may be small, yet they are indicative of our doshas’ general health and balance.
Daily Breast Health Rituals
It is critical to emphasize that the lymphatic system DOES NOT MOVE BY ITSELF! We must physically move the lymph in our bodies to keep the lymphatic system from becoming blocked and sluggish. A clogged lymphatic system can result in the accumulation of pollutants, stress, a compromised immune system, and finally disease.
Breast Massage on a Daily Basis
Daily self-abhyanga or self-massage using pure, organic, herbal infused, plant-based oils, such as our PAAVANI Body Oil, is recommended by Ayurveda to nourish and purify the lymph, ground vata dosha in the nervous system, and keep the skin feeling smooth, hydrated, and healthy. An Ayurvedic breast massage is included in the self-abhyanga technique, which will help with lymphatic drainage and cleansing as well as building love, respect, and admiration for your beautiful body, heart, and soul.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on performing an Ayurvedic breast massage:
Fill a small crockpot halfway with water and turn it to low. Put your favorite Body Oil bottle in the crockpot. You want to ensure that the oil reaches a good, warm temperature. Place a small bit of the oil in the palm of your hand to test it. Remove the oil from the crockpot once it has reached the proper temperature. If you don’t have a crockpot, simply run the bottle under hot water to heat the oil.
Pump the oil into the palms of your hands and rub them together slowly.
Place the hands face down on the heart, left palm on top of right. Close your eyes and take three deep, steady breaths in and out, bringing your attention to your heart center.
Keeping your right palm on your heart, begin stroking from the heart to the collarbone, to the shoulder, to the bicep, and back to the heart. Using gentle, rapid pressure, repeat this sweeping motion 3-6 times.
Begin massaging the intercostal muscles with the fingers of both hands in the center of your chest. Begin by gliding your fingertips from the center of your chest to your nipples. Bring your fingertips back to the center of your chest, but this time place them slightly downward to massage the lower half of your breasts, slowly moving the fingertips outward, towards the nipples. Repeat, but this time position the fingers slightly higher to massage the higher portion of the breasts, softly moving the fingertips outward, just above the nipples. Repeat 3-6 times more.
Return the right fingertips to the heart center and begin to massage the lymph nodes in a moderate clockwise motion, going just below the collarbone. Continue in this circular motion, working your way down to the bottom of your breasts and back to your heart. Repeat twice more.
Make three huge sweeping, circular, clockwise strokes across the entire left breast with the right hand resting on the heart.
Cup both hands around the left breast and sweep the hands away from the breast, generating a gentle pulling motion. Then, with your hands cupping around your nipple, sweep your hands away from the nipple to ground the breast into your chest.
Repeat steps 1-8 on the opposite side, using the left hand instead of the right for stages 4–7.
Place your palms face down on your heart. Close your eyes and take three deep and steady breaths in and out, focusing your attention on your heart center. Breathe in love, gratitude, and respect for the beauty and wonder of your breasts, then extend this love and gratitude throughout your entire being.
Ayurvedic Dry Brushing (Garshana)
Dry brushing is called as garshana in Ayurveda and is done BEFORE applying oil to the body for self-abhyanga. Garshana gloves, made of raw silk, are used to cleanse the lymphatic system and enhance circulation throughout the body.
Exercise
Exercise is one of the most effective ways to detoxify and activate the lymphatic system! There are so many various methods to break a sweat and include exercise into our day: power walking, jumping jacks, jogging, aerobics, spin, dance class, pilates, yoga, jump rope, kickboxing, surfing, skating, rowing, aerial silks… We believe that finding an activity that resonates with you is the key to sustaining a regular fitness regimen, because when you do, you will actually love and even crave the sacred act of moving your body. Of course, we prefer yoga, Ayurveda’s sister science, because it is a whole-body, holistic experience that may be performed for the rest of one’s life. A Kapha Balancing Yoga Practice is one of the best ways to work up a sweat and challenge yourself on your yoga mat.
Hydrate
As previously stated, the rasa dhatu is responsible for the fluids in the body. Dehydration, constipation, headaches, skin impurity, immunological insufficiency, exhaustion, lack of excitement are all symptoms of a depleted rasa dhatu, which can eventually lead to a variety of life-threatening disorders. We must stay hydrated in order to maintain the rasa dhatu healthy! Doesn’t this sound simple? However, as you may be aware, many of us are chronically dehydrated. 75% of people, to be exact, according to a study conducted by New York Hospital and Cornell Medical Center. As a result, it is critical to drink plenty of water throughout the day. In general, you should drink half your body weight in ounces each day to keep the rasa dhatu operating properly.
Water is, of course, necessary for maintaining the rasa dhatu detoxified and healthy, but there are herbs known as demulcents that help give hydration, moisture, and soothe irritable mucous membranes. Flax seeds, marshmallow, slippery elm, shatavari, licorice, and Irish moss are also popular demulcent plants. If you want to incorporate demulcent herbs into your daily routine, we recommend our rasa dhatu building Hydrate Blend Tea.
Activate Your Herbal Allies
Because of their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, herbs such as ashwagandha and turmeric can be included in your regular regimen. Consider using Triphala, a traditional Ayurvedic preparation, to improve the immune system as well as nourish and cleanse the digestive system.
Commit to Using Earth-Friendly Skin Care and Body Products
According to Harper’s Bazaar, the European Union has prohibited the use of over 1,000 chemicals in personal care products, while the United States has prohibited only 11. This is obviously quite alarming for the health of both our bodies and the world. We cannot emphasize enough how important it is to eliminate synthetic substances, chemicals, parabens, and phthalates from your personal care products. To maintain the utmost respect for YOUR body and our world, we recommend using only 100% earth-based, organic products on your skin.
There are so many wonderful little enterprises reviving herbal knowledge and breathing fresh vitality into the apothecary market. We are honored to be one of those brands. We handcraft our products in small batches using organic herbs and plant-based components to support your skin, body, and mind’s wellness. Fat and the Moon is another brand we adore and highly recommend. These witchy ladies have the best all-natural deodorant that will keep your pits happy and will not compromise the health of your breast tissue or lymph because their herbalist designed Deodorant Cream has no antiperspirants or chemicals.
Underwire bras should be avoided.
Although there is no western scientific evidence to support the claim that underwire bras can cause breast cancer, we are not going to wait for that scientific study to prove that underwire bras can block lymph drainage, causing stagnation and toxic buildup in the breast tissue. Instead, we’d like to encourage you to be proactive about your breast health and reconsider wearing underwire bras.
Consume fresh, whole foods, primarily plants.
Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, as well as maintaining a healthy jatharagni, is the polar opposite of the present western diet and lifestyle. We realize we’re preaching to the choir here, but we couldn’t help but emphasize this crucial part of breast health prevention!
Reduce Your Use of Plastic
Say goodbye to single-use plastics and plastic usage entirely for the sake of your health and the sustainability of the earth. Invest in glass containers, portable bamboo cutlery, reusable stainless steel straws, reusable shopping bags, glass-packaged items, and reusable water bottles and mugs!
Positive Breast Health Affirmations
Use the following positive affirmations during your daily breast massage or at any point during the day to create love and support for your being:
“I am significant. I am counted. I now nourish and care for myself with love and delight. I give them the freedom to be themselves. We’re all safe and sound.” – From the book “You Can Heal Your Life” by Louis Hay.
“I have time to do things I love.”
“I deserve and receive massive amounts of love every day” .
“I am allowed to take up space” .
Every Breast Is Beautiful
We would want to remind you that your breasts are lovely, regardless of your age, if you have had a mastectomy or are experiencing changes in your breast health. Breasts have historically offered support, sustenance, and comfort to humans and animals alike, and we believe it is past time to appreciate all breast forms and sizes rather than objectify and/or disparage them. Breast health is defined not just by the physical body, but also by our ability to process emotional and physical damage throughout our life. We hope that the Ayurvedic practices described above assist you in taking a more holistic approach to your breast health.Â
