The following information is from REFLECTIONS OF THE MOON ON WATER
Author, Xiaolan Zhao, CMD
 Our breast health, depends on the smooth flow of Qi and Blood through our Zang-Fu Organ systems. Within the breasts, a number of Meridians pass through: the Liver Meridian, the Kidney Meridian, the Stomach Meridian and the Chong Mai, or Penetrating Vessel, which originates in the Uterus and branches out in tiny vessels throughout the breasts. A blockage in the flow of Qi and Blood within any of these Meridians can therefore cause Stagnation in the breasts and lead to a continuum of progressive breast disorders that may begin with premenstrual breast distension and over time evolve into more serious diseases.
Breast tenderness or lumps will not inevitably lead to breast cancer. The reasons that one woman's symptoms will manifest as breast pain and another's as breast cancer are attributed to the severity, complexity and the duration of the imbalance. Having a history of benign breast lumps, however is considered a significant risk factor for breast cancer, since the root cause of both conditions is the same. Stagnant Liver Qi is the primary cause of most breast problems, and premenstrual breast distension and benign breast lumps may be part of the evolution of a Liver Qi Stagnation that may progress to a carcinoma. Therefore, diagnosing and treating Liver Qi Stagnation is an effective way to prevent a more critical disease, and there is much we can do ourselves to support our breast health.
SELF CARE MEASURES
Self-care measures, focus on smoothing, balancing and promoting the flow of Qi within all these Organ systems to help reduce the risk of breast disorders.
Emotions
Emotional distress is the biggest factor in hindering, taxing and impairing the flow of Liver Qi. Ancient practitioners wrote that the emotions are the most significant cause of breast disease. The seventeenth-century text Fu Qing Zhu Nu Ke states: " Depression injures the Liver, pensiveness affects the Spleen, accumulation develops in the Heart, the channel-Qi stagnates and generates nodules."
Unresolved, chronic or excessive emotions can damage or impair the Liver Organ system. If the Liver cannot move Blood easily because of a blockage in the flow of Qi, Blood may become sluggish and Stagnate in the breasts, the area through which the energetic pathways of the Liver traverse. So our feelings of well-being play a profound role in the health of our breasts. We should not subdue or hold back our emotions, nor should we explosively express them without awareness and restraint. Critical to our health is how we validate, appropriately express and accept our feelings and emotions.
Diet
A diet that supports the free flow of Liver Qi is beneficial in preventing breast disease. Conversely, it is important to avoid or minimize dietary factors that hinder, tax or impair the flow of Liver Qi. If Liver Qi is sluggish, there is a tendency for it to slow down, become constrained and produce Heat, since Qi is inherently warm. There are special foods such as hot, spicy, peppery or fatty foods, along with excessive amounts of red meat and alcohol, that contribute to the accumulation of Liver Heat. These foods, along with chocolate and caffeine, are also stimulating and Heat-producing, and should be eaten in moderation since they aggravate the Liver.
Exercise
We should all engage in moderate exercise. There are many forms of exercise, which helps the flow of Qi and Blood within the body. Meditation, relaxation, and breathing exercises.
Lifestyle
It is important to prevent exhaustion before or during the flow of Heavenly Water. We should restrict physical as well as mental exertion, as excessive and prolonged fatigue can exhaust Qi. and damage the Chong Mai. Sluggishness in the flow of Qi and Blood in the Chong Mai is a major factor in the development of breast masses.
|
