Breast Botanicals

Question 1

herbs to use for mastitis? (5) synergists to use for mastitis? (3)

Answer 1

herbs: allium, berberis, hydrastis, echinacea, lomatium
synergists: aconite, gelsemium, phytolacca

Question 2

what bugs is allium effective against? dosing?

Answer 2

effective against: s. aureus, alpha and b-hemolytic strep, e. coli
sig: 10-30 g fresh garlic (8-10 cloves)

Question 3

what bugs are mahonia and hydrastis effective against? what else do they do? dosing?

Answer 3

effective against: s. aureus, alpha and b-hemolytic strep, e. coli, chlamydia and n. gonorrhea
also stimulates immune system via MO activation
sig: tincture 60-120 gtt qid

Question 4

effect of echinacea? dosing?

Answer 4

immunostimulating propertiers dt immune polysaccharides

sig: 300 mg qid, tincture: 120 gtt q 2-3 hrs

Question 5

what bugs is lomatium effective against?

Answer 5

s. aureus, strep pyogens, strep viridens, partially effective against n. gonorrhea

Question 6

for sudden onset fever but pt feels cold, sig: 5 gtt 1 hr x 3 doses maximum

Answer 6

aconite

Question 7

nervous excitement, delirium, sig: 5-30 gtt q 2 hrs

Answer 7

gelsemium

Question 8

increases WBC, indicated if marked LAD, breast lumps, hardness
SIG: 2-5 gtt q 1 hr x 4 doses

Answer 8

phytolacca

Question 9

poultice options for mastitis?

Answer 9

potato and/or carrot; onion: prepare as cold poultice, apply directly to breast and cover with clean cloth
parsley: handful of fresh or 2 tbsp dried herb in cheesecloth, flannel or clean sock, steep for 15 mins then place on breast
ginger and/or cayenne: rubifacient poultice to increase arterial supply to area
castor oil: soak in clean flannel, cover breast, warm compress over top, leave for 45 mins, wipe off with baking soda and water as oil is cathartic to infant
hamamelis: apply hot, moistened herb as poultice
sambuccus: fresh grated root in boiling water made into poultice or fresh flowers in warm oil as salve

Question 10

5 sore nipple poultices?

Answer 10

achillea
aloe
althea
calendula
symphytum

Question 11

indications for achillea poultice?

Answer 11

moist, cracked, painful nipples, make poultice or ointment

Question 12

indications for aloe poultice?

Answer 12

cracked, sore nipples

apply clear gel from plant to nipple, wipe off before nursing

Question 13

indications for althea poultice?

Answer 13

sore, raw, infected nipples, clogged ducts

Question 14

indications for calendula poultice?

Answer 14

fungal or bacterially infected nipples

make wash out of flowers and saline

Question 15

indications for symphytum poultice?

Answer 15

fissured, cracked or sore nipples
use fresh is possible
if not fresh then use gel or ointment

Question 16

13 galactogogue herbs?

Answer 16

anenome
anisum
borago
chondrus
cnicus
foeniculum
galega
humulus
medicago
shatavari
mitchella
trigonella
vitex

Question 17

no or low milk in nervous, anxious, fearful and depressed women, breasts painful and swollen, chilly, weak with H/A

Answer 17

anenome

10 gtt tid

Question 18

similar to fennel, increases milk flow

Answer 18

ansium

30 gtt TID or 1 tsp bruised/crushed seeds/cup of water, 1 c BID

Question 19

low milk supply with constipation and anxiety

Answer 19

borago

1 TBSP leaves/cup water, steep for 10 mins, 1 cup at each nursing

Question 20

mucilaginous, nourishing algae for decreased milk supply in a yin depleted mom (loss of body fluids, constipation, sore throat)

Answer 20

chondrus

3-9 g of powder or 1 tsp to 8 oz water made as cold decoction

Question 21

increases milk supply and helps with PP depression, suicidal feelings

Answer 21

cnicus

20 gtt BID up to QID

Question 22

how to prepare and dose foeniculum as a galactogogue?

Answer 22

30 gtt TID or 1 tsp bruised/crushed seeds/cup of water, 1 cup BID

Question 23

decreased milk flow in mom w/fluid retention and/or high blood sugar

Answer 23

galega

30 gtt TID

Question 24

for mom’s who need copious milk (tandem feeding, multiple births), has sedative qualities

Answer 24

EtOH free beer or limited amounts (2-4 oz BID x 1 week) of GOOD beer
1 TBSP flowers in 8 oz water, simmer 10 mins, drink 1 cup before bed

Question 25

improves milk supply especially in depleted or malnourished mothers

Answer 25

medicago

60 gtt TID

Question 26

good for decreased milk dt hormonal reasons

can also be used when cycle returns

Answer 26

shatavari

500 mg caps, 2 BID

Question 27

for decreased milk supply in mom w/uterine weakness, subinvolution or prolapse

Answer 27

mitchella

Question 28

for decreased milk supply in woman w/digestive or blood sugar disorders

Answer 28

trigonella
20-30 gtt TID
3 capsules TID

Question 29

decreased milk flow with PP depression

Answer 29

vitex

30-60 gtt TID

Question 30

foods to increase milk suply

Answer 30

include mostly yin tonics:
apricots
asparagus
green beans
carrots
sweet potatoes
peas
pecans
beet greens
watercress
parsley
dandelion greens

Question 31

herbs to help with weaning?

Answer 31

salvia: an astrignent for weaning, promotes estrogen, 10-30 gtt QID
vinca major or minor: astringent for weaning with depression, contains small amounts of reserpine, also used to control overabundant milk, 10 gtt TID