"For women who have serious breast disease, a combination of Western and traditional Chinese medicines is, in many cases, an effective approach," say the authors of this useful guide to promoting breast health through the 2,000-year-old art of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The aim of this book is to teach self-help treatments for problems such as fibrocystic breasts (not fibrocystic breast
disease, the authors point out), benign cysts, premenstrual pain, fibroadenomas, and mastitis.
One or more of these problems will bother more than half of all women at some point during their lifetime, the authors note, and women with cystic breasts are three times as likely as other women to develop breast cancer. They urge readers to not dismiss cysts as merely benign formations the way Western doctors tend to. Instead, they advise several ways of relieving symptoms and
reversing cystic formations and other problems to help stave off future malignancies.
After a thorough introduction to the theory of Chinese medicine, including yin and yang deficiencies; the flow of
qi, or life spirit; and the often fascinating relationship between diet, emotional health, and one's physical health, the authors give specific guidance for various home treatments. Nutritional recommendations, magnet therapy, self-massage, herbal teas and compresses, and acupuncture are explained clearly and reassuringly. Moxibustion, or the technique of using compressed, warming mugwort "candles," or
moxa (which look like incense cones), on various body areas, is also recommended. More familiar herbs, such as dandelion and ginger, are mentioned, as are more complex-sounding Chinese herbs, all of which are given in both their English and Chinese names, such as
Dang gui, or angelica. Resources are given throughout for obtaining any herbs or equipment, such as the body magnets, that you may not be able to find locally.
Coauthor Honora Lee Wolfe has written three other women's health guides, and her knowledge and concern shine through. She quotes throughout from both ancient Chinese health texts and recent scientific studies while stressing that women need to make more of an effort to take responsibility for their health. Highly recommended.
