Breast pain is a common health problem that women face right from their adolescence.
The pain has many scientific names such as mastalgia, mammalgia, and mastodynia. It is a common issue that women face at different stages of their life.
Breast pain has symptoms such as tenderness, heaviness, or tightness in the breasts. You may also have dull aches, discomfort, and a burning sensation inside the breast tissue. [1]
Some essential oils for breast pain can soothe the discomfort, tenderness, and soreness of the breasts.
This article reviews the potential benefits and uses of essential oils for breast pain relief, including the causes, symptoms, and types of breast pain.
Why Use Essential Oils for Breast Pain?
Essential oils are the essence or concentrated forms of plant extracts. The therapeutic oils come from different parts of a plant through steam distillation.
Essential oils are an integral part of aromatherapy. The oils are time-tested remedies for nervous and circulatory systems, skin diseases, aches and pains, and infection. [2]
Essential oils can penetrate deep into the tissues and blood vessels of the breasts. Thus, the oils have healing effects on breast tissues to relieve pain and discomfort.
Essential oils have potent anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. These properties can inhibit inflammations and infection of every kind. The oils are a rich source of analgesic compounds that can numb the pain receptors and ease breast pain. [3]
Moreover, essential oils can help flush out excess water and toxin from the body. Because these oils have diuretic effects. Edema is one of the reasons for breast soreness.
Read More: 9 Coconut Oil Remedies for Vaginal, Skin, and Oral Yeast Infections
6 Essential Oils for Breast Pain and Tenderness
1. Evening Primrose Oil
Evening Primrose Oil comes from the seeds of the evening primrose flowering plant. The plant belongs to the Oenothera genus. [4]
The oil has versatile uses in the food and cosmetic industries. The therapeutic qualities of the oil may relieve skin inflammations such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, etc. Evening primrose oil is also good for bone health, arthritis, asthma, cough, ulcerative colitis, diabetes, fatigue, multiple sclerosis (MS), heart diseases, schizophrenia, alcoholism, and even cancer. [5]
The oil contains essential omega-6 fatty acids that are beneficial for women suffering from breast pain.
Traditional health professionals often recommend evening primrose oil as a home remedy for breast pain and soreness.
You may buy evening primrose oil tablets from the drug store. A general recommended dose is 1-2 grams of evening primrose oil daily. You need to consume it regularly for 6 weeks to see significant improvement in both cyclical and non-cyclical breast pain or mastalgia. [6]
Key Takeaway: Experts claim the efficacy of evening primrose oil for breast pain relief. The oil contains fatty acids that may treat non-cyclical and cyclical mastalgia or breast pain and soreness.
2. Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender essential oil or Lavandula angustifolia originates from the aromatic lavender blossoms. The therapeutic plant is native to the Mediterranean region.
Lavender oil is popular in aromatherapy due to its calming and relaxing effects. The oil is a source of anti-inflammatory, sedative, analgesic, antispasmodic, and antibacterial properties.
Lavender oil can relieve many of the symptoms of PMS, mood changes, stress, anxiety, etc.
These psychological aspects have an enormous toll on breast pain. [7]
The calming oil boosts the circulation process. It also helps to channel oxygen and nutrients in the breast tissues.
Thus, the oil can relieve pain, discomfort, and soreness of the breasts. Lavender oil promotes the proper functioning of the lymph nodes and the hormonal levels. It also deals with lower blood pressure responsible for breast pain. [8]
Key Takeaway:
Lavender oil has antispasmodic, analgesic, sedative, and anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, it can reduce inflammation and pain by relaxing the muscle.
Read More: 11 Health Benefits of Lavender Oil That You Should Know
3. Frankincense Oil
Frankincense is more famous as an aromatic resin. It has a sacred connotation in religious practices from biblical times. The scented resin comes from the Boswellia sacra trees. Frankincense essential oil originates from this tree resin through steam distillation.
Frankincense oil is one of the most studied essential oils. Researchers have confirmed its potent anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects. The medicinal oil or ‘King of oils’ is a solution to hundreds of health problems that we often face. [9]
Frankincense oil contains boswellic acids. These are essential molecules to relieve tender breasts and associated pain.
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One pertinent question is whether frankincense oil can inhibit breast cancer?
The oil could help in reducing the timorous growth, and kill breast cancer cells. But, we need more research in this field. [10]
The oil has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and sedative components. These properties can provide peace and comfort to the lymph nodes of the breasts. You can either apply the oil to the breasts or indulge in an aromatic bath to take care of your breasts. [5]
Key Takeaway:
Boswellic acids of frankincense oil can soothe tender breasts and pain. It can also reduce the growth of the tumor, and kill the cancer cells.
4. Geranium Essential Oil
Geranium oil is steam distilled from the stems and leaves of the geranium plants. It is one of the best essential oils for balancing female hormonal levels. Some of the chemical compounds of the oil include menthone, limonene, myrcene, Linalool, alpha-pinene, etc.
The aromatic oil has holistic healing effects on your body and mind. The anti-depressant, sedative, and antispasmodic properties can boost your emotional health.
Geranium oil is beneficial in regulating female hormones. The oils can relieve premenstrual syndromes, menopausal hot flashes, anxiety, stress, insomnia, breast pain, and soreness. [11]
The oil promotes the proper circulation process and contributes to cleansing the body. Hence geranium oil can inhibit inflammations and infections of breast tissues.
Key Takeaway:
Hormonal imbalance can be a reason behind breast pain and inflammation. Geranium oil can balance the hormone level. Besides, it can detoxify your body, thus preventing infections.
Read More: 12+ Essential Oils for Anxiety that Work (with How to Use Them)
5. Clary Sage Oil
Clary sage essential oil comes from the perennial healing herb clary sage. The healing plant grows plenty in the Mediterranean region, Central Asia, and Africa.
Clary sage oil is one of the potent natural hormone balancing agents. This oil can lower cortisol levels and balance the thyroid hormone. Clary sage oil works to balance the estrogen hormone as well. It is a popular choice for women to relieve hot flashes, insomnia, anxiety, and other symptoms. [12]
The oil contains anticonvulsive, sedative, antispasmodic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. The therapeutic effects of this oil may soothe sore breasts and pain.
Clary sage oil is a potent nerve tonic. It can relax both your mind and muscle tensions. The oil can improve the circulation system, and ease cramps, depression, insomnia, and tenderness of the breasts.
Key Takeaway:
Clary sage oil can balance thyroid hormone and estrogen hormone. It has sedative, anticonvulsive, analgesic, antispasmodic, and antimicrobial components. These properties help reduce breast pain and symptoms related to it.
Read More: 18 Best Home Remedies for Vaginal Dryness & How to Use Them
6. Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint essential oil comes from the leaves and stems of peppermint herbs. The use of the herb goes back to ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman civilizations.
Peppermint oil has a versatile use in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. The oil contains omega-3 fatty acids and active phytochemicals. These chemicals have so many health benefits both psychological and physical.
The oil is a rich storehouse (more than 50%) of menthol. This cooling natural chemical compound handles the analgesic effects of peppermint oil.
Its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects can soothe the pain and soreness of breasts. Recent studies have proved the circulatory and hormonal balancing potency of peppermint oil. [13]
Key Takeaway:
Peppermint oil contains anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. These components help stop breast pain and soreness. Besides, it can balance female hormonal levels.
Read More: 12 Health Benefits of Peppermint Oil + (How to Use It)
How to Use Essential Oils for Breast Pain and Soreness (Home Remedies for Breast Pain)
You can choose any of the methods to relieve the tenderness of your breasts.
1. Essential Oils Topical Breast Massage or Pain Relief:
Combine 6-10 drops of lavender oil with 1 tablespoon of sweet almond oil and prepare a massage blend. Massage the oil blend on the sore breasts, the tender, sore nipples, and the areola.
The right way of massaging the breasts can stimulate the blood and lymphatic circulation. Massage in a kneading movement and press the painful areas. You can cup the breasts with the palm of your hands and apply gentle pressure.
Always pull and massage the breasts upwards to soothe the pain. Repeat the treatment twice daily to get rid of breast pain during and before the monthly period.
2. Aromatic Bath Using Essential Oils for Breast Pain Relief
Add 5 drops of geranium oil, 5 drops of frankincense oil, and 10 drops of clary sage oil to hot shower water. Finally, mix 200 gm of Epsom salt and stir the water.
Soak in the mild warm solution for 15-20 minutes. This aromatic bath will soothe breast swellings, pain, and soreness. Besides, it will relieve your psychological problems as well.
Causes of Breast Pain
Hormonal imbalance is the primary reason for breast tenderness or pain. Hormones are responsible for many internal functions in a woman’s body.
Women experience the first peak of these hormonal tides in their puberty. The hormonal changes manifest themselves in some physical changes and functions.
Natural feminine growth during adolescence includes: the beginning of the monthly cycle of menstruation, the rapid development of reproductive organs, etc . [1]
The second peak of hormonal changes comes after menopause. These crucial factors have effects on the health of women’s breasts. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, emotional imbalance, and the size of the breasts also have effects on it. [14]
You may experience pain in the upper and outer areas of the breasts, and in the underarm regions. Breast pain doesn’t always mean breast cancer. Some reasons may affect the health of the breasts and cause pain, swollen breasts, and tenderness. In the U.S.A. alone 50-70% of women suffer from breast pain. [14]
Here are the possible reasons for swollen and tender breasts: [15]
- Certain medications
- Hormonal imbalances
- Adolescence
- Premenstrual syndrome or PMS
- Menstruation
- Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding (possible infection)
- Acid reflux
- Alcoholism
- Psychological conditions
- Herpes zoster
- Peptic ulcer
- Structure and size of the breasts
- Cosmetic surgeries on the breasts
- Menopause
- Diet
- Stress and depression
Different Kinds of Breast Pain
Cyclic breast pain: Cyclical mastalgia or cyclical breast pain comes with the menstrual cycle. It happens when there are hormonal changes inside the body. Your breasts may swell, and become bulky and lumpy.
The pain appears in the upper and outer areas of the breasts and may spread to the underarm regions. Younger women usually experience the pain a few days or a week before the period begins. [16]
The pain subsides soon after the period ends. You may experience cyclic breast pain if you are in hormone replacement therapy.
Non-cyclic breast pain: this kind of breast pain doesn’t come and go according to a menstrual cycle. Non-cyclic breast pain is random, sporadic, and continuous. The pain originates in one of the breasts or a small section of it and spreads to the entire chest area.
Women between 30 – 50 years of age are more prone to non-cyclic pain. The pain feels like stabbing, burning, or stinging sensations inside the breasts. The breasts may appear red and warm. Lactating mothers may handle this kind of breast pain while breastfeeding. [16]
Fibrocystic breasts or lumpy fibrous tissues, infection (mastitis), inflammation, a tear in breast muscles, pinched nerves, etc. may cause the pain as well.
When Should You Visit a Doctor?
Breast pain is quite normal in every woman’s life. So, there’s nothing to worry about. But sometimes you may have severe pain in the breast that doesn’t go away. In that case, you must seek medical attention to diagnose whether you have breast cancer or not.
You may also have symptoms like a reddened breast with dimpled skin, nipple discharge, or lumps. If you have any of these symptoms, immediately consult your doctor. [13]
Final Word
Essential oils are safe to use for breast pain during and before the monthly menstrual cycle. You can even use them after menopause. In case you are pregnant or breastfeeding your kid, consult a doctor.
A change in lifestyle and food habits can help you relieve breast pain as well. Try to include foods enriched with fatty acids, magnesium, fibers, and vitamin E in your diet. Moreover, massage your breasts to stimulate the lymphatic nodes inside the breasts.
Finally, unclasp that tight bra and let loose your breasts sometimes. These lifestyle changes along with essential oil may reduce your breast pain.
Read More: 11 Essential Oils for Menopause that All Women Should Know
