HOMEOPAT 4 Definition: Infection of the breast tissue during lactation Causes: Infection, usually local from the nipple, or accumulated milk (not feeding ofen enough, long enough, or only using the same feeding positon) eausing blockage of the duct, setting up a home for bacteria to grow, Can get bad enough to require surgical lancing if not treated, and before the age of antibiotics, could even cause death if it became systemic. Do not ignore these symptoms, early treatment makes a very big difference. Symptoms: Pain, fever and swelling, sometimes a red lump in breast. Mother may get fever, swollen lymph nodes, chills, aches, and even delirium if it continues. Treatment: as follows, however if rapid improvement not found quite quickly, be sure to get immediate medical attention, in the form of the correct antibiotic, as this can become very serious, In my recent experience about 95% of my clients have been successfully treated with these remedies, never needing antibiotic treatment. Sometimes women find that using the Herbal ‘Tincture of Echinachea will be all that they need when the feel Mastitis "coming on" (see Herbal ages). Also, being sure to empty that side fully and often can keep things flushed out, reducing the colonies of bacterial growth. 1) Aconit reason. In the very early acute stages, comes on very quickly, mother may be fearful for some 2) Bryonia: When the whole breast is hard, painful, and tense with stitching pains; often with a headache. This woman's infection usually comes on more slowly. In spite of pain she may lay on the affected side to protect it from the slightest movement. She may have extreme thirst, and typical “Bryonia Bear" gruff mood, with aversion to stimulation. 3) Belladonna: When the breast is hot with streaks radiating bright red, the skin may even be shiny; pulsing pains. It will be worse from touch, movement or jarring, even someone sitting down on the bed will cause pain. She may also have a headache, but it will be the bursting kind, has aversion to light and noise. I have seen hard red lumps that looked desperate be relieved in less than an hour with treatment from Belladonna, Sometimes need to follow it with Bryonia or Phytolacca if symptoms return, 4) Mere. Sol: When there is danger of abscess formation look to this remedy. 5) Phytolacea: When there is hardening. Also apply the herbal tincture locally (this is made from Poke Root). The patient is chilly, shivery and often with split or sore nipples. This is the remedy that works most often with mothers that have recurrent bouts with mastitis whenever they get run down. Ifit comes back again, maybe use a higher potency. Also a good one to follow either Bryonia or Belladonna if there still seem to be lumpy and tender places in the breast after treatment. 6) Sulphur: When the pain is burning and usually associated with overlying skin rashes © 1995 Lisa Goldstein (permission to copy not needed if not for profit). Page (118) Masts page # 17) Silicea: When there is chronic mastitis, often discharging. Helps break down hard lumps. Also ‘this is the remedy to think of when there are nipple cracks that just don't want to heal (although usually Comfrey Salve will do the trick in hours). ‘This woman is often chilled easily. Also a good remedy for clogged ducts. Do NOT use long term in person with any metal staples in their body, as this remedy will attempt to expel them 8) Cimicifuga: Especially on the left side, with pain, swelling, and hardening; often with associated uterine troubles. 9) Calendula: May be applied locally as a cream or tincture to give some comfort and relief. Being sure to try to fully empty the involved breast(s) also seems to help a lot in the healing process, as well as help for the woman so that she can get adequate rest (often the underlying cause of the Mastitis in the first place), When we used to raise goats, if the bag started feeling lumpy, and I was ‘worried about a case of mastitis starting I would go out to the barn and milk her dry every hour, even at night if I could. This would often avoid trouble, but that was before I knew enough to use Homeopathics.. on animals. I now know several goat folks who use these remedied for goat mastitis with excellent results. 1 also know people that swear by hot comfiey leaf compresses to heal mastitis. The fresh leaves ‘work best, but leaves from tea from dried leaves are a fair substitute, If you have any dirt at all around your house, comfrey will grow. I encourage you to plant some. Ii needs no tending, will ‘grow all by itself in most conditions. Where I live it even stays green until late into the winter. Its a plant that no one interested in herbs should be without. It will kind of take over if you're not careful, so put it somewhere where that will be okay. Mulching with comfrey leaves is as nourishing in nitrogen to other plants as the same weight of manure. MILK SUPPLY: It would be unfair since we're talking about milk production here not to tell you about two remedies that will increase or decrease your milk supply. Lac Caninum: this one really helps to dry up the milk! Not needed often, but in some cases, like a fetal demise, will save the woman one more painful thing to have to deal with. 1 also have used Sage (same stuff that you use in turkey stuffing)in gelatin capsules, 2 "00" sized ones every 3-4 hours. Women can feel when they wear off. Also binding with wide ace bandages helps. As does cool packs, cabbage leaf compresses, &/or using Arnica oil soothed on them. Lactuca Virosa: a true galactagogue (milk production booster) really helps when there isn't much mi, itis not an immediate reaction, like some remedies are, you need to keep taking it, but it really does help! As does Borage Tea (or tincture), Fenugreek Tea (your milk will smell like maple syrup!) and my great multi-purpose friend Alfalfa Tablets (I tell women, take 6-8 alfalfa tablets before going to bed and call me in the morning, that usually does it, they wake up feeling very full). Also remember it is a supply & demand system; the more often you nurse, the more milk you'll make. {© 1995 Lisa Goldstein (permission to copy not needed if not for profit) Page (117) Mastitis page # 2