Nipples
Definition:

Anything to do with the nipples such as soreness when nursing, tenderness, cracked etc.

Herbal Aids:

Firm Up and Harden Sore and Tender Nipples: Massage the decoction of cranesbill into the nipples only. [SNH p.153] Decoction of cranesbill: See formula using cranesbill and distilled water. [SNH p.153]

Sore Nipples and Green Wounds: Apply the expressed juice of cleavers and take internally 1 tablespoonful of the juice 3 times a day. [SNH p.268]

Sore nipples: See formula using squaw vine, olive oil and beeswax. [SNH p.281]

Golden Seal for Cracked and Abraded Nipples: This herb is considered to be one of the best general medicinal aids in the entire herbal kingdom....(Note: The price of this root has been unusually high--but do not attempt to use other aids here that will not achieve the same results. Always use the herbal agents you need, no matter what the price! Do not purchase or use the commercial colorless fluid extract, however, as it does not contain the needed therapeutic values of the herb.) Generally give small and frequent doses. A Skin lotion formula is 1 teaspoonful of powder in 1 pint of boiling water, dissolve and let stand until cool. See text for more information. [SNH p.437]

Nursing: If your nipples get sore, you can rub on pure lanolin, available at pharmacies. You can sun your breasts briefly, but be careful, because the tissue is tender and sensitive. Honey, comfrey ointment, wheat germ oil, and aloe vera leaf can all be applied, although you should be careful to wash off the honey, as no infant should take raw honey which causes infant botulism, and to remove the aloe vera, because it is very bitter. [EWH p.85]

Commercial Oil of Juniper is made from the ripe fruit; unripe fruit is less effective for making the oil. When the Rob of Juniper is distilled, the resulting oil byproduct is used medicinally. This is sometimes called Oil of Cade. The Eclectic School skillfully blended this oil with lard and Fowler's solution to make a Juniper Pomade, which is said to be excellent for all forms of eczema or tetter. It was...applied to chapped hands and irritated nipples in nursing mothers (Felk:1092). [UW-Juniper]

Myrrh: Applied to fresh wounds, the tincture of Myrrh excites healing action and lessens the liability to inflammation or suppuration. It is good for sore nipples. [UW-Myrrh]

Red Raspberry: Taken during labor the sweetened tea is used as a natural regulator for contractions and after the birth the infant's mouth can be washed with it if the mouth seems sore. The mother can use the tea to wash sore nipples with and to enrich the milk supply (Thom:185). [UW-Red Raspberry]

Squaw Vine: The berries are highly recommended to treat sore nipples. The crushed berries are added to tincture of myrrh for a highly potent cure (Cly:113). Another method is to make a strong decoction of two ounces of the herb, fresh if possible, with a pint of water, then strain and add as much good cream as there is liquid of the decoction. Boil the whole down to the consistence of a soft salve and when cool, anoint the nipple with it every time the child is removed from the breast (Felk:1274). Olive oil is sometimes substituted for the cream. [UW-Squaw Vine]

Yarrow: The tea can be applied to chapped hands or other skin irritations, and it can be rubbed on sore nipples if needed. [UW-Yarrow]

See Also:

Breast
Pregnancy

"Natural Healing with Herbs for a Healthier You"