Herbal Breast Massage for Lymphatic Support

Breast Massage and Body Tracking

Self-breast massage is an integral part of my self-care. Like morning tea or soaking my feet in an herbal foot bath at the end of the day, breast massage is one of the many herbal self-care habits that help me take care and stay in tune with my body.

Herbal medicine shines as a preventive care modality. Working with herbs to tone, nourish and stay healthy is the gift of this healing art. You may have also noticed that herbs help us heal more effectively when we catch something at the onset. 

Home herbalism is not just about the herbs and the remedies, but also about cultivating ‘body tracking’ skills and self-breast massage is a healing, nourishing way to become the tracker that you need to be. 

In general, we track ourselves in many ways throughout the day without much fuss. We notice when we are hot or cold, hungry or tired or have tight muscles. More focused body tracking is steeped in a self-care routine where we center our attention on a particular part of the body with deep listening. When we create the space to really tune into our breasts along with the thoughts and emotions that reside there, that is when herbal self-care goes next level as a powerful healing modality.

Female Body 101

Taking time for some regular breast health care is really Female Body 101. Men also have breast tissue, but in this article, I will focus on women. I wasn’t taught anything about breast care and I can imagine you didn’t get that class in high school either. In common culture, I find that breast health isn’t really much of a topic unless someone is worried about it. Years can pass without real attention. Not necessarily out of neglect, but because we were never taught to look. Regular massage helps close that gap.

I’ve been a student of breast massage for 30 years now and what I’ve found is that most articles talk about ‘looking for something.’ For some women, approaching the breasts with the thought of possibly finding something wrong can create fear, anxiety and disconnection. I like to settle into my breast care with curiosity and love. It’s where I tend to this part of my body with attention and care. I track the texture of the tissue, how the lymph surrounding the breasts feels and give space to the thoughts and feelings as they arise.

As we develop a greater awareness of this part of our body, it puts us into a proactive approach with our breast care. Over time you know and understand your tissue which means you can also tell if something changes or doesn’t feel right. However, our breast massage isn’t just an exam or looking for possible problems. It is a powerful preventive health care tool that supports menstrual breast tenderness, relaxation, immunity and lymph health.

Breast Massage and Lymph Care

The lymphatic network of vessels and nodes transport lymph fluid that houses infection fighting white blood cells. Healthy lymph flow filters pathogens, reduces inflammation and is vital for strong immune function. There’s a lot of lymph in the chest and your breast massage supports lymph flow and immunity. 

Lymph fluid doesn’t move on its own. It needs a little nudge. Dancing, stretching, diaphragmatic breathing, laughing, swimming and massage are all good for moving lymph. Along with deeply connecting to this part of your body you are improving circulation, increasing lymph movement, supporting immune health and releasing stagnant energy that can build up in the breasts.

Self-Breast Massage Basics

There is not a ‘right’ way to do this and it’s a personal self-care routine that you fine tune over time. The main thing is to just get started and then make it a habit. 

Use Love My Breasts Balm or your favorite massage oil or salve. I like to warm my breast area before beginning. Lie in the sun or cover your chest with a hot water bottle or heating pad until you are comfortably warm. Make sure your hands are warm and scoop your herbal balm into your palms and rest them on your chest. Breathe deeply and take a few moments to settle in.

You can stand up or lie down. Press your hands into your breasts, you can go back and forth like a typewriter or begin at the nipple or the edge of the breasts and move in circles on and around the breasts. Touch everywhere. Move your breasts up and down and side to side to increase lymph flow and get deeper into the tissue. Make sure to include the spaces where lots of lymph lives, under the arms, above the collar bone and below the breasts.

Notice your mindset. What does it feel like to slow down and open with a sense of curiosity about the layers of your breast tissue? Befriend your breasts. Notice density, tension, soreness, tenderness, or changes since the last time you were there. Notice the thoughts and feelings that come and go as you massage your breasts. It is amazing just how much emotion we store there! 

If this is new for you, take it slow. When you’re finished, rest your hands on your chest again. Just pause and take note of how you feel. I love to take a nice warm bath after my self-breast massage.

Herbs I Use in My Breast Balm Recipe

The balm you use to massage your breasts makes a difference, and the herbs you choose can offer nourishment to the tissue and to the lymph underneath. These are my favorite herbs to make herbal infused oils for breast balm. 

Violet (Viola spp.)

Violets have an affinity for the breasts and lymph. Since violet is a cooling herb, I use it when the breasts feel swollen, hot or tight. I find it helpful with cystic breasts, swollen nodes, or tenderness that lingers past a cycle.

Violet leaves and flowers are moist and soothing. They calm irritation and bring relief to dry or inflamed skin. Violet also works gently with the lymph, which is why it’s the star of my Lymph-Cleanse Lemonade. It promotes steady flow, which makes it useful anywhere fluid tends to collect. I especially like violet when I’m trying to soften dense areas. It can ease discomfort and promote better circulation in the chest.

Chickweed (Stellaria media)

Chickweed is the softening herb. It softens, moistens, and dissolves. Chickweed helps break up stagnant tissue and supports the body to release cysts and congested energy. Its juicy, emollient nature softens and moistens the skin and helps with any itchy or dry patches. 

Chickweed is cooling and often used for inflamed or stagnant tissue. It’s a good choice when the breasts seem heavy before a cycle or when puffiness sticks around longer than it should. Chickweed adds a sense of lightness and joy to the sacred act of tending to our breast care. 

Rose Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)

Rose geranium is soothing and relaxing and helps bring balance. It dissolves tension, restlessness and stress. Residual emotions often find their way to the breasts and rose geranium helps calm the heart, release grief and loosen emotional pressure. 

If your breasts feel tense, rose geranium can help. I’ve found it lifts the energy in a space and in the body, so I like to use it to soften both the skin and the mood.

Your Breast Care

Make some balm and show your body some love! Find a rhythm when you do it. Once a month around the new or full moon is one suggestion.. 

Try experimenting with other herbs in your balm too. Calendula, yarrow, red clover, or plantain are also great herbs to consider in your breast balms.

For me, the jar I use matters. I like beauty in my self care space, so I choose colors and shapes, special jars and aromas that I find beautiful. I light candles, make sure my room  is nice and warm or sometimes I do it while taking a bath. How would you like to set up your self-care sanctuary for tending to your breast health? 

Do you practice self-breast massage or are you inspired to begin? I would love to hear how you feel about creating the space for this nourishing self-care tool.