Welcome to the 8th episode of the bitter truth podcast! I was so happy to chat today about a topic that is incredibly near and dear to my heart: breast health and how you can tend to your breast space at home! This is a topic many of us were never taught about and is essential for our overall health. In this episode I share some of the basics of lymphatic self-massage, as well as food and herbs that can support your hormonal, liver, and lymphatic health. For more information about my business Abbey Joy Healing and to book a reproductive care session for breast health, you can visit my website www.abbeyjoyhealing.com Bitter of the Day: Vitex/Chaste Tree * Helps to regulate hormones in our bodies * Can increase progesterone levels over time * Try taking for three months to regulate female reproductive hormones during reproductive years The seven tissues in Ayurveda: Lymph, Blood, Muscle, Skin, Bones, Nerves, Reproductive Listen to the Podcast Episode with DeAnna Batdorff Liver support herbs: Dandelion, Burdock, Turmeric, Milk Thistle, Artichoke, Vitex dhyana Essentials Practitioner Referrals list More about the Lymph: * Our body’s immune system * All of the lymph flows through the subclavian drain (underneath the collarbone) back to the heart * Almost half of our lymph nodes are in the gut (especially the small intestines) How to move the lymph: * Movement: Walking, dancing, laughter, breathing, jumping on a rebounder * Self Massage * Support liver detox: eat bitters every day (turmeric, dandelion greens, grapefruit * Neti Pot, Dry Brushing, Gua Sha * Poop 1-2x per day to detox: Flax, fiber, beans, magnesium glycinate How to care for the breast/chest space: * Listen to the emotions that are connected to your breast/chest and heart space * Consider your relationship to nourishment * Feel your breast/chest every day * Get a gua sha for self massage * Castor oil on the breasts with a warm compress or hot water bottle - very anti-inflammatory and detoxifying * Add a few drops of Frankincense Essential oil to your massage oil of choice for breast cysts or inflammation * Decrease inflammatory foods: chocolate, nuts, red wine, gluten, processed sugar, alcohol, conventionally raised meats * Avoid antiperspirant deodorant * Spend time bra-less * Dental health is key! Floss, brush & care for your teeth! More info from Gaye Mason Walden of Holistic Breast Health Foods for Breast Health: * Eat lots of fiber for hormone detox: cruciferous veggies * Essential Fatty Acids: Flax, Chia, Sardines, Mussels, Oysters * Seaweeds for Iodine * Sweet Potatoes for progesterone Flow for self breast/chest massage: * Start beneath the clavicle and upper chest * Massage the armpits * Massage the outside of the breast * Make circular motions with your hands underneath the breast and up the sternum * Massage along the top of the breasts/chest * Work your hands closer to the center/the nipple * Take extra time underneath the breast if you have matted lymph due to wearing bras As always, thank you to the amazing Curtis James of @muunjuun for making the very groovy, very fun intro and outro beats! Get full access to Abbey Joy Healing Newsletter at abbeyjoyhealing.substack.com/subscribe
