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!

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