Breast pain is a common concern for women. The Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada (SOGC) estimates that 70 percent of all women experience breast pain (medical term: mastalgia) at some point in their lives. Mastalgia is most often associated with a woman's menstrual cycle. Breast tenderness that seems to follow a monthly pattern is called cyclic pain. Herbs in the form of dietary supplements may help ease a woman's cyclic breast pain. Breast pain that doesn't correspond to menstruation may not respond to herbal remedies that ease PMS symptoms.
Vitex
Vitex agnus-castus, also called Chaste tree berry, Monk's pepper or simply Vitex, is a plant that produces small berries that are dried and used as herbal medicine. According to medical resources Peacehealth, vitex can relieve a variety of pre-menstrual symptoms, including breast pain. Studies reported in an April 2000 issue of the Journal of Women's Health and Gender-Based Medicine suggest that taking 32mg of Vitex daily reduced mastalgia in at least 80 percent of the female trial participants. The herb is available in capsule and liquid extract forms. This remedy for breast pain should not be used during pregnancy or in conjunction with other types of hormone replacement therapy. Side effects of Vitex could include stomach upset.
Evening Primrose Oil
The oil derived from the evening primrose flower is an herbal remedy for several different skin conditions, including eczema, gastrointestinal discomfort and breast pain. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), EPO, as evening primrose oil is abbreviated, is an officially licensed alternative treatment for mastalgia in Britain and can reduce the symptoms of hot flashes as well as breast tenderness. EPO is not FDA approved as a mastalgia treatment in the United States--research has revealed conflicting results as to the efficacy of the herb. Physicians may recommend the herb as an "off-label" remedy for cyclic breast pain, however. The UMMC recommends standard dosages of evening primrose oil to be between 2g and 8g daily for adults. EPO is available as a capsule. People who take anti-inflammatory and blood-thinning drugs should consult their doctors about possible interactions between the two substances.
Flaxseed
Flaxseed is an herb that contains omega-3 fatty acids, which offer health benefits such as lowered cholesterol and protection from some types cancer, as well as relief from breast pain and other menopausal symptoms. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that 40g flaxseed, taken in an oil form or by sprinkling the ground seeds into food, can have a positive effect in women who suffer from mild symptoms of menopause. The Society of Obstetricians and Gynecolgists of Canada suggest that taking 2 tbsp. flaxseed daily for 90 days may help alleviate mastalgia.
