The breasts are paired mammary glands located on the anterior chest wall, composed of Glandular tissue: 15–20 lobes producing milk, Lactiferous ducts, Fatty tissue ,Connective tissue, Nipple & areola, Blood supply, Nerve supply, Lymphatic drainage .Breast disorders are common health concerns among females and can range from benign conditions to malignant growths. Following are some common breast disorders seen in females-
Fibroadenoma
Fibrocystic Breast Changes
Breast Cysts
Mastitis
Breast Abscess
Breast Cancer
Fibroadenoma
1)Modern View-
A fibroadenoma is a solid benign breast lump. A fibroadenoma happens most often between ages 15 and 35.A fibroadenoma often causes no pain. It can feel firm, smooth and rubbery and movable. It might feel like a pea in the breast, may feel flat like a coin.
Causes-The exact cause of fibroadenoma is unknown but it can be sometimes due to Hormonal fluctuations, especially during reproductive years
Symptoms-Painless and firm
Moves freely under the skin
Diagnosis-Mammography
Treatment-Surgical Removal Lumpectomy
2)Ayurveda View-
In Ayurveda, fibroadenoma is correlated with "Granthi" – which refers to nodular or glandular swellings, typically involving Kapha and Vata dosha aggravation.
ग्रन्थिः यत्र स्थानमध्यॆ कफरक्तसमूर्छ्छयात् जायते।Charaka Samhita – Chikitsa Sthana 12/89
This sloka says the formation of Granthi due to the vitiation of Kapha and Rakta leading to localized swelling
मांस-रक्त-मेदः- प्रवृद्धानां समवायो ग्रन्थिः। Sushruta Samhita – Nidana Sthana 11/12.
Granthi is formed by abnormal accumulation and vitiation of Mamsa (muscle), Rakta (blood), and Meda (fat).When this occurs in the breast, it is termed Stan Granthi.
Ayurvedic Management of stan granthi(fibroadenoma)
Shamana-
Kanchanar Guggulu
Triphala guggul
Musta ,Chitraka ,Kutaja,Haritaki ,Triphala,Vidanga ,Aragvādha ,Loha Bhasma Vacha Apamarga -these lekhan dravya churn can be used for dissolving med dhatu
Manjishtha, Haridra, Guggulu for Rakta-Meda Dushti
Sodhan-
Vaman
Virechan
Raktmokshan (leech therapy)-if throbbing pain occurs.
Pathya-Apathya (Diet & Lifestyle):Avoid heavy, oily, and dairy-based food
Prefer light, warm, and easily digestible diet
Breast Cysts
A breast cyst is a fluid-filled sac within the breast tissue. These are benign (non-cancerous) and commonly occur in women between 30–50 years,.
Causes-Hormonal changes
Infections
Symptoms-Soft, fluid-filled lump
Breast tenderness and Throbbing pain
Diagnosis: Ultrasound
Mammography
Treatment:
Aspiration of fluid
2)Ayurveda View-
Breast cyst is correlated with Kaphaja Granthi and pittaj grathi.Cyst contains fluid which is kaph and throbbing pain due to rakt dhatu dushti relates with pitt.
Nidan(cause)-
Excessive ushna katu,amal ras sevan
Virudhh ahar
Lakshan(symtoms)-
daah(burning pain in breast)
Guruta (heaviness in breast)
Chikitsa(treatment)-
Kaishor guggul
Gokshuradi guggul,
Triphala guggul
Raktsodhak aushad dravya like manjistha,sariva,chandan,mustha
Sodhan-
1) Raktmokshan-jalauka(leech therapy)- For localized blood stagnation or inflammation
2) Virechan
Pralepa – Local applications with medicated oils/pastes(manjistha,chandan,ananta pittsamhak dravya lepa)
Breast Abscess
A breast abscess is a localized collection of pus within the breast tissue, usually caused by a bacterial infection.
Causes
Bacterial infection (commonly Staphylococcus aureus)
Mastitis (infection of the breast tissue) progressing to abscess
Blocked milk ducts
Nipple cracks or sores allowing bacteria to enter
Symptoms
Painful, swollen lump in the breast
Redness, warmth, and tenderness over the affected area
Fever and chills
Pus or discharge from the nipple
Diagnosis
Ultrasound of breast
Aspiration
Modern Treatment
Antibiotics ,Needle aspirations
Surgical drainage
2)Ayurveda View-
In Ayurveda, it can be correlated with Stanavidradhi (breast abscess). It is considered a Tridoshaja condition with predominance of Pitta and Kapha.
Nidan(causes)-
Pitt vardhak ahar vihar (katu amla ras excessive intake)
Excessive intake of Ushan ,guru ,snigdha food
Lakshan(Symptoms)-
Throbbing pain (Toda)
Burning sensation (Daha)
Chikitsa(Treatment)-
1)Shaman-
Kaishor guggul
Gokshuradi guggul
Triphala guggul
Raktsodhak aushad dravya like manjistha, sariva, chandan, mustha, neem
2)Sodhan-
1)Raktmokshan-jalauka(leech therapy)- For localized blood stagnation or inflammation
2)Virechan
Pralepa – Local applications with medicated oils/pastes(manjistha, chandan,ananta, haridra pittsamhak dravya lepa)
Shatdhaut ghrit and Jatyadi ghrit for local application
Mastitis
Mastitis is an inflammation of the breast tissue that commonly occurs in lactating women.
Causes Infection – Most commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus, entering through a cracked or sore nipple.
Milk stasis – Incomplete emptying of the breast during breastfeeding can lead to blocked ducts and inflammation.
Symptoms of Mastitis
Painful, swollen, red, and warm area on the breast
Fever and chills
malaise
Burning sensation in breast
Nipple discharge sometimes
Treatment
Antibiotics
Painkillers
Continued breastfeeding or pumping to relieve milk stasis
Warm compresses
2)Ayurveda View-
In Ayurveda, mastitis may be correlated with:, Stanyadushti and Stanavidradhi – Breast abscess or inflamed swelling it occurs due to Pitta and Kapha vitiation.
Stanya Dushti refers to the vitiation or impurity of breast milk,. Ayurveda explains 8 types of stanya dushti based on dosha involvement
Causes-Improper diet and lifestyle in the mother
Mental stress or grief
Management of Stanya Dushti:
Correction of Dosha in the Mother-
Vata dushti: Use nourishing and warm foods (ghrita, milk)
Pitta dushti: Use cooling herbs (Shatavari, Yashtimadhu)
Kapha dushti: Use digestive, light foods (Trikatu, honey)
Stanyashodhana Dravyas (Milk-purifying herbs):Shatavari,Guduchi ,Triphala,Vidanga ,Haridra & Daruharidra
Guduchi, Haridra, Nimba, Triphala, Manjistha for blood purification and anti-inflammatory action
Kaishor guggul ,gokshuradi guggul
Shodhana (Detoxification):
Mild Virechan and Vaman
Lepana (herbal paste) on the affected area to reduce swelling and pain (e.g., with Aragwadhadi or Panchatikta herbs pittsamhak and raktsodhak dravya)
Breast Cancer-
Breast cancer is a disease where malignant (cancer) cells form in the breast tissues. Breast cancer is when breast cells mutate and become cancerous cells that multiply and form tumors. It is the second most common cancer in women.
Risk Factors-
Age – More common in women over 50.
Family history
Hormonal factors
Lifestyle – Obesity, alcohol use, lack of physical activity.
Excessive Radiation exposure
Signs and Symptoms-
Lump in the breast or underarm
Change in size, shape, or appearance of the breast
Nipple inversion
Redness, swelling of the breast or nipple
Persistent breast pain
Diagnosis
Mammography ,Ultrasound or MRI ,Biopsy
Treatment Surgery – Lumpectomy or mastectomy
Radiation therapy
Chemotherapy
Hormone therapy
Targeted therapy
Immunotherapy
2)Ayurveda View-
In Ayurveda, breast cancer may be described under "Stana Arbuda"
Ayurvedic management for breast cancer
1)Sodhan-
Virechan
Raktmokshan-leech therapy(leech suck the impure blood collected in breast in the form of cyst or abscess)
If the arbud becomes open abscess ,dhawan dhoopan and vran lepam is done through aushad dravya that acts as antibacterial like triphala wash,dhoopan done by herbs like haridra, kapoor ,ajmooda,triphala and ghee.Vran ropan(healing) is done by applying vran ropan lep ,shatdhaut ghrit,jatyadi ghrit.
2)shaman-
Raktsodhak dravya like manjistha,neem,ananta,musta
3)Rasayan-
In Ayurveda, Rasayana Chikitsa (rejuvenation therapy) plays a vital role in managing cancer, particularly in improving immunity, reducing the side effects of chemotherapy/radiation, and enhancing overall quality of life.some rasayan in ayurveda are mentioned below-
Triphala Rasayana, Draksharishta ,Ashwagandharishta
Amlaki
Guduchi
Ras aushadi including swarn and heerak bhasma.
Conclusion-
Breast disorders in females encompass a wide range of conditions—from benign lumps like fibroadenomas and cysts to more serious concerns such as infections and malignancies. Regular self-examinations, awareness of bodily changes, and prompt medical consultation remain the key to maintaining breast health and preventing complications. Ayurvedic treatment including medications and Panchkarma can help dissolve breast disorders with root cause.
