What breast symptoms do you have?

Breast symptoms
Do you get breast problems regularly? Do you live with lumpy tender breasts? Have you had a long history of breast issues?
Our breasts are like a health indicator. They are dynamic, hormonal and reflect our state of health.
What conditions do we see?
Fibrocystic tissue - lumpy, painful, full, congested, cyclical. Can last years. Benign condition, reflection of not clearing out the toxins and hormones in the breast. Affected by lack of sleep, stress, anxiety, exhaustion. Benign condition. Raises susceptibility.
Glandular hormonal tissue – swollen, tender/painful breasts, cyclical. Reflects hormonal imbalance, often oestrogen dominance. You may also have a history of thyroid issues, endometriosis, fibroids, ovarian cysts, chronic fatigue, adrenal exhaustion. Increased risk.
Discharge – can be clear, milky, yellow, green, brown, red. May be spontaneous or when squeezed. May be due to infection, stimulation, blocked duct, papilloma, medication (eg antidepressants). Usually benign and rarely, breast cancer. Can be present for years.
Inversion – one or both nipples. Can be there permanently, or in one/both breasts suddenly. If an inversion occurs suddenly in one nipple, may indicate a possible breast cancer.
Change of Shape – dimple, hollow, pucker in one part of one breast. May indicate cancer. Saggyness not counted.
Breastfeeding problems - recurrent severe mastitis can cause scarring and weakness in the breast tissue. If you have a baby who suddenly stopped feeding from one breast, or had children who refused to feed from one breast, this may indicate a possible chemical change. Both increase susceptibility.
History of breast issues – long term issues where one breast behaves differently to the other breast. Often may not show up on a mammogram. Increases susceptibility.
Breast operations – cosmetic, benign or malignant conditions. Can interfere with normal vascular and lymph drainage. Increases susceptibility.

Management: Think about improving your breast health. Have an annual clinical exam with your doctor, check your breast health with regular breast imaging, do vigorous breast massage and work with your wellness practitioner to keep your risk low. Improve your diet – eliminate/reduce grains, sugars, caffeine, dairy. Increase vegetables, fruit, super foods. Release stress, exercise, be happy, sleep well.

April News

Touring Australia I get to meet very interesting people who introduce me to other interesting people, herbs, books, etc. I would like to share some with you today.

Superfood: Goji berries
I recently travelled with David Wolfe during his Australian tour. David is passionate about super foods available to us. Who wants to eat over-processed under-nourishing meals when we have an abundance of super foods?
The goji berry has extraordinary nutrient value and is an adaptogen – it can help the body return to a balanced state. It invigorates and strengthens the system and allows us to resist stress, anxiety and fatigue by restoring and rejuvenating the body. It is delicious and extremely nutritionally rich, containing 21 trace minerals, 19 amino acids, Vitamins B1, B2, B6 and E.
Goji berries boost immune function, increase alkalinity and vitality, provide liver protection, improve eyesight and blood quality and have anti-aging compounds. By nourishing the body, goji berries support the body to heal itself from chronic conditions.
Eat dried goji berries as a snack, with cacao nibs, blended in a smoothie, added to tea to take away the bitterness. Readily available at health food shops.
Information from book Superfoods by David Wolfe

Super Herb: Herb Robert
I was fortunate to meet Isabell Shipard who has Shipards Herb Farm in Nambour Qld. Isabell has an amazing knowledge of herbs and is passionate about encouraging us to use herbs in our every day life. She was telling me of the popularity of Herb robert.
Herb robert is a medium annual that grows in a wide range of climates. It prefers damp shady spots, is insect and snail resistant, grows quickly, self seeds readily and flowers profusely. It contains Vitamins A, B, C and minerals calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, phspherous, germanium, manganese and sodium.
Herb robert is a supreme therapeutic herb. It is an adaptogen, and the antioxidant germanium means it has the ability to make oxygen available to the cells to aid cell health and immune function for overall wellbeing.
Herb robert has been used medicinally for many ailments including relief from pain, improving chronic conditions and wellbeing.
More information on the qualities and benefits of Herb robert are available here: http://bit.ly/eLDkvG

Super Smoothie
1 banana, or mango or other fruit of choice
1 raw egg
1tbsp raw Cacao powder
1 tbsp Coconut cream or oil
1tbsp goji berries
1 tbsp chia seeds – soaked
1 tbsp Rice Protein powder
1 tbsp maca powder and/or CamuCamu powder
Apple or other fruit juice or water or rice/almond milk for consistency
Blend until smooth. Will be fairly thick consistency.
Great for a power-packed protein-rich lunch
From Norma Street, Buderim, Qld

Improve your breast health today by trying these wonderful resources available to us at our health food shop, nursery or your health professional.