Mastitis or breast infection is a common problem for many first time mothers. Others who are more at risks are the mothers who already had mastitis. A bacteria Staphylococcus aureus gets its way to the breast through a cut or crack causing infection.
Mastitis generally happens when your immunity is down due to stress, anxiety or any other reason. It should be treated immediately to avoid it turning into thrush affecting both mother and child. While you can reduce swelling and pain with hot compress, essential oils can safely get rid of the infection of mastitis. Some essential oils do a better job than others, so choose your pick that works best on you.
Table of Contents
- How Effective are Essential Oils to Treat Mastitis?
- 4 Essential Oils for Mastitis
- Other Mastitis Remedies Without Essential Oils
- Other Tips and Precautions
How Effective are Essential Oils to Treat Mastitis?
Essential oils are very effective remedies for mastitis. There are hundreds of essential oils that may be useful. Some of them are more effective than the others, that is why they have become popular.
But, before we get into the natural treatment of breast infection, let us first understand what mastitis is, what causes it and what are its symptoms?
Mastitis is caused by a bacteria Staphylococcus aureus which naturally reside on our skin. It causes infection when it enters a cut it cracked skin in the nipples.
It swells the fatty tissues which press against the milk ducts. As a result of following symptoms appear
- Swelling
- Redness
- Lumps
- Fever
- Chills
- Pronounced veins
- Tenderness
The milk tastes slightly salty due to infection and children may refuse to get fed from the affected breast.
That is why you need to naturally try to treat the infection fast and many essential oils do a very good job of healing it fast.
Lack of rest and stress reduces your immunity and the bacteria finds its way into your breast through a cut or crack if any. First time mothers are more at risk of mastitis as well as those mothers who already had mastitis.
4 Essential Oils for Mastitis
The following 4 essential oils are very powerful antibacterial oils and suitable for treating mastitis.
1. Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender oil is antibacterial, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory oil. It is also very calming and soothing. That is why lavender oil for sleep has found wide popularity.
It will quickly remove the infection
Here us how you can use it:
- Mix 2 drops of lavender oil and 10 drops of coconut oil or jojoba oil
- Apply in your sore nipple
- Give a hot compress to the affected breast
2. Frankincense Essential Oil
Frankincense oil is also antibacterial. It is also an oil that reduces stress and anxiety. It's aroma will destress you and the oil will kill bacteria.
Here is how you can use it:
- Mix 2 drops of frankincense essential oil with 10 drops of jojoba oil
- Apply it on your affected nipple and surrounding skin
- Give hot compress to the breast
3. Tea Tree Essential Oil
Tea tree oil is very effective antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal oil. A scientific study has also confirmed usefulness of tea tree oil for mastitis. Its smell is certainly not as pleasant as the lavender and frankincense essential oil but it is very effective in removing the infection fast.
Here is how you can use it:
- Mix 10 drops of sweet almond oil and 2 drops if tea tree essential oil
- Apply on your affected nipple and breast
- Give hot compress to breast
- Rinse your nipple and breast after 30 minutes with warm water
4. Oregano Essential Oil
A lot of scientific research has been done on usefulness of oregano essential oil for various skin conditions. Like tea tree oil it is also a very potent antibacterial and antifungal.
- Add 2 drops if oregano oil to 10 drops of sweet almond oil
- Mix well
- Apply on the sore nipple and surrounding breast skin
- Leave it there for 30 minutes
- Rinse with warm water
Other Mastitis Remedies Without Essential Oils
- Frequent Feeding - Feed your child with the infected breast more frequently. This will improve circulation and remove infection. Your child will not get infected due to antibiotic capabilities for milk. If you are apprehensive then drain the milk of the infected breast otherwise it will block milk ducts. Breast pump is a good remedy for blocked milk duct.. Drain milk with breast pump.
- Hot and cold compress - applying heat and cold alternatively helps to reduce the pain and expedited healing.
- Massage - Massage your infected breast with slightly warm coconut oil stroking towards armpit may be painful but helps to recover fast from the infection.
- Raw Cabbage Leaf - take a large cabbage leaf and cup it on your infected breast and place it under your bra cup. Change it ever 3 hours.
- Hot water bag - Keep a hot water bag on your affected breast for a couple of minutes. This will help the milk ducts to open up. Do it before every feed.
Tips and Precautions
There are many ways to prevent mastitis. Following Precautions will help
- Drain out the milk using breast pump or by squeezing out with your hands If your child refuses to get fed for whatever reason. Never allow the milk to build up.
- Expose your breast and nipples to fresh air as much as possible.
- Avoid wearing bra for 24 hours at least
- Enjoy relaxation techniques like deep breathing for stress relief
If you take care and use right remedies like essential oils then your breast infection will go away quickly