Breast hyperplasia is not cancer; it is a benign condition characterized by cord-like, patchy, or cystic nodules within the breast tissue. These nodules are soft in texture, tender to the touch, and have distinct borders. Their size may fluctuate with the menstrual cycle or emotional state but generally does not show significant growth over short periods.In contrast, breast cancer lumps are hard, non-tender, have indistinct borders, limited mobility, and show rapid growth. They may be accompanied by swollen lymph nodes in the armpit or above the collarbone, nipple retraction, or skin changes resembling an orange peel. However, it's important to note that breast hyperplasia without lumps can sometimes coexist with breast cancer.
I. Breast Pain in Hyperplasia
Traditional Chinese Medicine attributes this condition primarily to liver qi stagnation, phlegm accumulation, and blood stasis.
Dietary Therapy Principles: Soothe the liver and regulate qi, clear heat and disperse nodules, harmonize the Chong and Ren meridians.
Common Dietary Remedies:
1. Corn and Luffa Pith Soup: 100g corn kernels, 50g luffa pith, 10g tangerine seeds, 1 egg. Simmer the first three ingredients in water for 1 hour. Just before serving, add beaten egg, cornstarch slurry, and rock sugar, stirring well. Consume twice weekly.
2. Kelp and Lettuce Stew: 100g kelp, 100g lettuce,a small amount of minced ginger and scallions. Simmer the kelp in water for 30 minutes, then add the lettuce, seasonings, and sesame oil just before serving. Consume once daily.
3. Cold-Served Celery and Kelp Salad: 100g kelp, 100g celery, a small amount of minced ginger and scallions. Blanch the kelp and celery, then place in a bowl. Add seasonings and sesame oil. Consume once daily.
4. Prunella and Angelica Porridge: 10g prunella, 10g angelica, 10g cyperus rhizome. Simmer in water for 20 minutes. Strain the liquid, mix with plain porridge and brown sugar, then consume. Take twice weekly.
5. Dried Tofu and Radish Soup: 100g dried tofu, 100g radish, 10g dried tangerine peel, 1 egg. Simmer the dried tofu and radish in water for 1 hour. Just before serving, add beaten egg, cornstarch slurry, and rock sugar. Mix well and consume. Take twice weekly.
4. Prunella and Angelica Porridge: 10g each of Prunella, Angelica, and Cyperus rhizome. Simmer in water for 20 minutes. Strain liquid and mix with plain porridge and brown sugar. Consume twice weekly.
II. Mastitis and Breast Pain
TCM attributes this condition to liver-stomach heat stagnation and milk stasis.
Dietary Therapy Principles: Clear liver and stomach heat, detoxify, unblock meridians, and disperse nodules.
Common Dietary Remedies:
1. Honey-Glazed Figs: Simmer 100g figs and 30g hawthorn berries in water for 20 minutes. Strain liquid, add honey, and consume twice daily.
2. Stewed Luffa with Tofu: Simmer 150g luffa and100g tofu, simmer together with water for 20 minutes. Add ginger, scallions, and sesame oil before serving. Take once daily.
3. Platycodon and Adzuki Bean Porridge: 10g each of platycodon root and soapberry thorns, simmer with water for 20 minutes. Strain liquid and mix into adzuki bean porridge. Take twice daily. Suitable for the suppurative stage of mastitis.
4. Pollen and Angelica Porridge: 10g each of astragalus root and pollen, 5g angelica root. Simmer with water for 20 minutes. Strain liquid and mix into brown sugar. Take twice daily. Suitable for mastitis.
4. Pollen and Angelica Porridge: 10g each of Astragalus and pollen, 5g Angelica sinensis. Simmer with water for 20 minutes, strain, and mix with brown sugar. Take twice daily. Suitable for the ulceration stage of mastitis.
III. Breast Pain in Breast Cancer
TCM attributes this condition to disharmony of the Chong and Ren meridians, deficiency of liver and kidney, liver stagnation with phlegm-stasis, and accumulation of pathogenic toxins.
Dietary Therapy Principles: Should be integrated into comprehensive treatment without interfering with conventional therapy.
Common Dietary Therapy Examples:
1. Dry crab shells in moderate amounts, grind into powder for later use. Take 2g three times daily with rice wine.
2. Stew 30–90g of Asparagus root and consume twice weekly.
3. 10g Pangolin Scale, 15g Salvia Root. Simmer in sufficient water for 20 minutes. Add to plain congee and consume once daily.
4. 10g each of Bee Nest, Zhejiang Fritillary Bulb, Chinese Solomon's Seal, and Curcuma. 30g each of Hedyotis Herb and Coix Seed. Simmer in sufficient water for 20 minutes. Strain liquid, add appropriate rock sugar, and consume twice weekly.