Breast nodules have become a high-frequency term on modern women's physical examination reports, causing heart-sinking worry. What to do about premenstrual stabbing pain and palpable lumps? Singapore Gong Fang Tang TCM gynecology Dr. Que Poh Yuen Albert states bluntly: Over 70% of nodules stem from Liver Qi Stagnation! Blind removal is inferior to root-level regulation! Today we reveal the true culprit + a list of foods to avoid, and share a modified Free Wanderer Powder (Xiao Yao San) formula to help you unblock the breasts and dissipate nodules!
What Causes Breast Nodules?
Liver Qi Stagnation (Over 70% of cases)
Root Cause: High stress, tendency to suppress anger → Liver Qi stagnation → Qi and Blood block the breast collaterals.
Signals: Premenstrual breast distension/pain, nodules enlarge with emotional changes, rib-side distension and oppression.
Phlegm-Stasis Interbinding
Root Cause: Staying up late + High-sugar, greasy diet → Spleen deficiency generating Dampness → Phlegm-Dampness and Blood Stasis congeal into nodules.
Signals: Hard nodules, thick greasy tongue coating, dark black menstrual blood with clots.
Thoroughfare & Conception Vessel Disharmony
Root Cause: Multiple abortions, menopausal hormonal fluctuations → Kidney deficiency failing to nourish the Thoroughfare & Conception vessels.
Signals: Nodules accompanied by menstrual irregularities, sore lower back, tidal heat.
What Foods Should Be Avoided with Breast Nodules?
High-Estrogen Foods: Royal jelly, snow frog (hashima), contraceptive pills, etc. (Stimulate abnormal breast cell proliferation).
High-Fat Foods: Fried chicken, fatty meat, cream cakes, etc. (Promote estrogen synthesis).
Pungent & "Hair" (Triggering) Foods: Spicy hotpot, BBQ, lamb, etc. (Aggravate inflammatory response).
Caffeine-Containing: Strong coffee, cocoa, energy drinks, etc. (Exacerbate breast pain).
Alcohol: Baijiu, red wine, beer, etc. (Damage liver function, hindering estrogen metabolism).
Xanthine-Containing Foods: Chocolate, strong tea, etc. (Stimulate breast tissue edema).
Replacement Foods (Breast-Friendly Ingredients):
Drink Soymilk: Choose unsweetened soymilk (Plant estrogens for bidirectional regulation).
Craving Meat? Opt for deep-sea fish, duck meat (Rich in anti-inflammatory Ω-3).
Replacement Drinks: Dandelion tea (Dissipates nodules) + Rose & Chenpi (Tangerine peel) tea (Soothes Liver).
What Helps Dissipate Breast Nodules Fastest?
For breast nodule treatment, Dr. Que Poh Yuen Albert often uses Free Wanderer Powder (Xiao Yao San) as the base formula, modified according to the patient's specific symptoms. This approach addresses the root cause to dissipate breast nodules.
Free Wanderer Powder (Xiao Yao San) consists of 6 herbs: Chai Hu (Bupleurum / Radix Bupleuri), Dang Gui (Chinese Angelica / Radix Angelicae Sinensis), Bai Shao (White Peony Root / Radix Paeoniae Alba), Bai Zhu (Largehead Atractylodes Rhizome / Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae), Fu Ling (Poria / Poria Cocos), Zhi Gan Cao (Prepared Liquorice Root / Radix Glycyrrhizae Praeparata).
Chai Hu serves as the chief herb, dredging Liver Qi to relieve stagnation, thereby improving nodules caused by Liver Qi Stagnation.
Dang Gui and Bai Shao nourish Blood and soften the Liver.
Bai Zhu and Fu Ling fortify the Spleen and boost Qi, harmonizing Qi and Blood, enhancing Spleen-Stomach function, promoting Qi-Blood circulation, and relieving nodules.
The combination of Bai Shao and Gan Cao softens the Liver and alleviates pain, easing discomfort like breast distension and pain.
Modifications & Applications:
Severe distension/pain: Add Yan Hu Suo (Corydalis / Rhizoma Corydalis) + Chuan Lian Zi (Sichuan Chinaberry / Fructus Toosendan) (Move Qi, relieve pain).
Nodules hard as stones: Add Xia Ku Cao (Prunella Spike / Spica Prunellae) + Zhe Bei Mu (Zhejiang Fritillary Bulb / Bulbus Fritillariae Thunbergii) (Transform phlegm, dissipate nodules).
Insomnia & anxiety: Add He Huan Pi (Silktree Albizia Bark / Cortex Albiziae) + Zhi Zi (Gardenia Fruit / Fructus Gardeniae) (Clear Heart, relieve vexation).
Thick greasy tongue coating: Add Ban Xia (Pinellia Rhizome / Rhizoma Pinelliae) + Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel / Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae) (Dry Dampness, transform phlegm).
Case Study
Patient: Ms. Liu, 33 years old.
Chief Complaint: Bilateral breast distension and pain for over half a month.
Present History: Significant breast distension and pain, radiating to the left armpit. Usually experiences breast distension and pain 1 week before menstruation, which resolves after menses onset. This time, breast pain started 5 days before period and persists. Introverted personality, tendency to suppress anger. Recent family troubles causing irritability and poor sleep. Normal appetite, bowel, and bladder functions. Tongue slightly dark red with thin yellow greasy coating. Pulse wiry-slippery-slightly rapid.
Color Doppler Ultrasound: Bilateral breast hyperplasia. Left breast hypoechoic nodule BI-RADS Category 3. At 3 o'clock position on left, a nodule approx. 4.8*4.5mm, clear boundary, regular shape, no blood flow signal.
Diagnosis: Breast Nodule.
Pattern: Liver Stagnation and Phlegm Congealing.
Treatment Principle: Regulate Qi, Transform Phlegm, Soften Hardness, Dissipate Nodules.
Prescription: Modified Xiao Yao San.
Formula Herbs:
Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis) 10g
Bai Shao (Paeonia lactiflora) 10g
Chai Hu (Bupleurum chinense) 10g
Fu Shen (Poria cocos sclerotium pararadicis) 10g
Bai Zhu (Atractylodes macrocephala) 10g
Zhi Gan Cao (Glycyrrhiza uralensis, prepared) 6g
Yu Jin (Curcuma aromatica) 10g
Xiang Fu (Cyperus rotundus) 10g
Dan Pi (Moutan cortex) 10g
E Zhu (Curcuma zedoaria) 10g
Chen Pi (Citrus reticulata peel) 6g
Suan Zao Ren (Ziziphus spinosa seed) 10g
Xia Ku Cao (Prunella vulgaris) 15g
Mao Zhua Cao (Ranunculus ternatus) 15g
Bie Jia (Trionyx sinensis carapace) 30g (decocted first)
Administration: 7 doses. Decoct in water. Take 1 dose daily, divided into morning and evening doses.
Second Visit: Patient reported significant reduction in breast distension/pain and slight improvement in sleep after taking the medicine. Formula adjusted.
Result: After over 2 months of treatment, follow-up ultrasound showed no abnormalities in bilateral breasts.
