Liver stagnation (Qi & Blood)
There are many causes of dysfunction in the Liver. When the Liver does not function properly, it can cause stagnation of the flow of Qi and Blood which can collect in the breast area resulting in pre-menstrual breast tenderness and pain. In these cases, the body may also experience the following symptoms: bloating, fullness around the abdominal area, PMS, period pain, insomnia, constipation or sluggish bowel movements, cysts or fibroids in the breasts.

If the blockage of the Liver Channel is not resolved, blockages may start to occur in other parts of the body where the Liver Channel flows, such as lower abdomen, sides of the abdomen, hypochondriac area, top of the head, neck and shoulders. Continual build-up of these blockages may, over time, also cause other common women’s diseases, such as infertility, endometriosis, period pain, polycystic ovaries, uterine fibroids, as well as headaches, stiff neck, irritable bowel syndrome, thyroid disorder and depression.

Heat in Stomach or Stomach Channel
Sometimes pre-menstrual breast symptoms is more to do with the nipple, which may become very painful with a burning sensation. This is more associated with Heat from the Stomach or the Stomach Channel becoming stuck around the nipple area. In these cases, the body may also experience the following symptoms: very emotional or anxious, constipation, red face, hot body, easily perspires or shorter menstrual cycle (ie 21 days). The Heat collects in the Stomach or its Channel is a buildup from eating too much hot and spicy food, deep-fried food, high intake of alcohol, or Heat transforming from other organs such as the Liver and Gall Bladder.

Lifestyle and diet therapy for this issue
1) Traditional chinese medicine believes that Liver & Stomach disorders need to be helped by western medicine, chinese herbs and acupuncture, but there are things you can do with your lifestyle and certain foods to help your Liver & Stomach recover. Here are my suggestions of what you can do when you have a Liver & Stomach disorder:

2) Rebalance your lifestyle, including work commitments and stress. If you have personal emotional issues which you feel you cannot solve yourself you should consider seeking some counseling or psychological therapy to help you.

3) Suitable exercise is important. We suggest if you have a Liver disorder that it is best to avoid strenuous heavy and fast exercise. Suitable exercise includes walking at a moderate pace for thirty minutes, swimming, yoga, tai chi, bicycle riding at a moderate pace and dancing with soft gentle music. If possible it is best to perform the exercise mentioned outdoors in nature, as the colour green helps the Liver also.

4) Music therapy: More often listening to soft music in the background or with meditation helps the Liver.

5) Diet therapy: Chinese medicine diet therapy considers that the following foods help the Liver & the Stomach Heat: celery, carrots, coriander, green tea, chrysanthemum tea, peppermint tea, oranges, bananas, lemons, egg-plant, mung beans, watermelon, and more. Avoid over-eating hot & spicy food, which will cause Stomach Heat.