Homeopathic medicine, treatment and remedies for Breast pain

Following are some of the homeopathic remedies that are used for the treatment of breast pain:

• Mercurius Solubilis 
  Common Name: Quicksilver
  Symptoms: Quicksilver is primarily used for treating weakness, inflammation and swelling. It can also be used in the management of the following symptoms:
  • Breast pain
  • Milk in the breasts during periods
  • Stitching pain in the lower abdomen (ovarian region)
  • Excessive white discharge from the vagina
  • Profuse menstrual flow

The symptoms worsen at night, while lying on the right side, in damp and wet weather and in a warm room and a warm bed.

• Phytolacca Decandra
  Common Name: Poke-root
  Symptoms: This homeopathic medicine is effective in the management of the following symptoms:
  • Inflammation of breast tissue
  • Breast Pain
  • Pain radiating from the nipple to all areas of the body while breastfeeding
  • Lower back pain
  • Excessive bleeding during periods
  • Abdominal pain during periods
  • Tumours of the breasts

The symptoms worsen during monsoon and in cold and damp weather. The symptoms get better in a dry and warm climate.

• Phosphorus
  Common Name: Phosphorus
  Symptoms: Phosphorus is mainly useful in sudden shooting pain and emaciation. It is also useful in treating:
  • Sharp pain in the abdomen
  • Pus formation in breasts
  • Watery discharge from breasts
  • Burning and stitching pain in breasts
  • Absence of periods
  • Profuse white discharge from the vagina
  • Iron deficiency anaemia

The symptoms worsen in the evening, on touching the painful area, with mental and physical exertion, due to change of weather, on climbing stairs and while lying on the painful side. The symptoms get better on sleeping, while lying on the right side, and in the open air.

• Phellandrium Aquaticum
  Common Name: Water dropwort
  Symptoms: This remedy can be used in treating the following symptoms:
  • Pain in the milk ducts
  • Pain in nipples
  • Breast pain that becomes unbearable while breastfeeding
  • A feeling of tiredness while walking
• Lapis Albus 
  Common Name: Silico-fluoride of calcium
  Symptoms: Lapis albus is a suitable medicine for treating burning and stinging type of pain in the chest. It can also be used to treat symptoms like:
  • Persistent pain in the breast
  • Hardening of glands in the chest
  • Fibroid tumours with intense burning pain
  • Excessive blood loss
• Lacticum Acidum
  Common Name: Lactic acid
  Symptoms: Lactic acid is an effective remedy for treating conditions related to the breasts. It can help manage the following symptoms:
  • Breast pain which radiates to hands
  • Enlargement of the axillary glands located in the armpits
  • Nausea and morning sickness, especially in women with anaemia
  • Weakness and trembling of the whole body
• Croton Tiglium
  Common Name: Croton-oil seed
  Symptoms: Croton-oil seed is a useful remedy to treat burning sensation in the chest. It can help in the treatment of a few other symptoms which include:
  • Pain from the nipple to the back while breastfeeding
  • Drawing pain through the left side of the chest into the back
  • Sensitiveness to deep breathing

The symptoms worsen at night and in the morning, during summers, on touching the affected area, and with the smallest quantity of food or drink.

• Conium Maculatum
  Common Name: Poison hemlock
  Symptoms: Poison hemlock is highly effective for the management of breast pain. It can help in the management of the following symptoms:
  • Enlargement and pain in the breast, especially before and during periods
  • Inflammation of ovaries
  • Stitching pain in nipples
  • Breasts painful to touch
  • Shrinking of the breasts
  • Itching around the external genitals

The symptoms worsen with  mental exertion. while lying down, on turning or rising in the bed, and before and during periods. The symptoms get better in dark, while fasting, and due to motion.

• Cimicifuga Racemosa 
  Common Name: Black snake-root
  Symptoms: Black snake-root is best suited for women with muscular and cramp-like pains, especially affecting the uterus and ovaries. It can also be used in treating symptoms such as:
  • Pain below breasts
  • Irregular periods or absence of periods
  • Pain in the lower abdomen
  • Pain before periods
  • Backache and pain in the hips

The symptoms worsen in the morning, during periods and in cold weather. The symptoms get better after eating and with warmth.

• Chimaphila Umbellata
  Common Name: Pipsissewa
  Symptoms: Chimaphila umbellata acts on the genitals, urinary tract and breasts. It is useful in women with large breasts and can help in the treatment of the following symptoms:
  • Painful breast tumour
  • Rapid shrinking of breasts
  • Breast pain

The symptoms worsen on sitting, in damp weather, and lying on the left side.

• Calcarea Carbonica 
  Common Name: Carbonate of lime
  Symptoms: Carbonate of lime is an effective treatment for sudden chest pains, abscesses in deep muscles, swollen glands and increased local and general sweating. Following are a few other symptoms that can be treated using this remedy:
  • Swelling and tenderness of the breasts before periods
  • Early periods with heavy bleeding
  • Excessive sweating in external genitals
  • Back pain
  • Weakness of limbs

The symptoms worsen on standing, from physical and mental exertion, climbing, cold in any form and wet weather. The patient feels better in a dry weather and on lying on the painful side.

• Bryonia Alba
  Common Name: Wild hops
  Symptoms: Wild hops plant is mainly used to treat stitching and tearing pains which get better with rest. Other symptoms that can be treated using bryonia alba are:
  • Breast pain along with a feeling a heat in breasts 
  • Early periods with heavy bleeding and leg pain
  • Burning and stitching pain in the abdomen
  • Abdominal and pelvic soreness
  • Pain and stiffness in the back

The symptoms worsen in the morning, due to motion, on touching the painful area, hot climate and movement. The symptoms get better with rest, on lying on the painful side, and application of pressure to the painful area.

• Belladonna 
  Common Name: Deadly nightshade
  Symptoms: Belladonna can be used in treating many symptoms which include:
  • Inflammation and pain in breasts
  • Early periods with excessive bleeding
  • Throbbing pain and redness of the nipple which radiates to the surrounding area
  • A sensation of heavyness in breasts
  • Breast tumours
  • Breast pain, especially while lying down

The symptoms worsen in the afternoon, with touch, noise and on lying down. The symptoms get better while sitting in a semi-erect position. 

• Asterias Rubens
  Common Name: Red starfish
  Symptoms: Red starfish is an effective remedy for breast cancer and can help in the management of the following symptoms:

  • Hard and swollen breasts
  • Nerve pain in the left breast and arm
  • Sensation as if the left breast is being pulled inward
  • Hard and swollen axillary glands in the armpits
  • Piercing and stabbing pain in the breast

The symptoms worsen at night, in cold and damp weather, while lying on the left side and after drinking coffee.

Numerous homeopathic remedies are effective in treating breast pain. Along with these remedies, doctors also advise dietary and lifestyle changes that are needed to achieve optimum therapeutic effects. Some of these include:

Do’s: 

• Include healthy nutritious foods in your diet.
• Stay in clean and hygienic surroundings and maintain personal hygiene.
• Perform regular physical exercise and live an active life.

Don’ts: 

• Avoid drinks containing caffeine and beverages with strong odours. 
• Do not use perfumes with strong odours.
• Avoid foods and drinks which possess medicinal properties.
• Do not stay in damp and marshy places.
• Avoid excesses in your food, such as excess of spices, sugar and salt.
• Avoid emotions like grief, anger and excitement that can cause mental exertion.

Homeopathic remedies are extensively diluted natural products. These products are suggested to be safe and effective in a majority of the population. They are prescribed based on the individual’s traits, thereby providing the maximum therapeutic effects.

Homeopathic remedies treat the individual as a whole, rather than just one symptom use.

A case study reported a 31-year-old married woman with breast pain for 4 to 5 months. The pain was occasionally burning in nature and aggravated by pressure, touch and before periods. Diagnostic tests revealed fibroadenosis in both breasts. Phytolacca was prescribed, which resulted in gradual relief of symptoms and complete resolution of the fibroadenosis in 6 months. The symptoms did not relapse after discontinuing the medicine. This study clearly indicates the effectiveness of phytolacca in the management of breast pain.

However, more studies are still needed to confirm the efficiency of homeopathic remedies in the treatment of breast pain.

Homeopathic remedies are natural and holistic and are obtained from animal products, herbs and minerals. These natural products are diluted to prepare the medicines, and the quality of the medications is maintained as per the specifications of the Indian Pharmacopoeia. Hence, homeopathic remedies are free of side effects when taken under the guidance of a qualified homoepathic physician.

Breast pain can occur due to different causes and affect our daily routine. Thus, it is essential to manage breast pain and its associated symptoms promptly and effectively. Although conventional medicines are available to treat breast pain, homeopathic remedies are free of side effects and treat not just the breast pain and its associated symptoms but also the underlying condition. Homeopathic should always be taken after consulting a qualified homeopathic practitioner.