Too scared to go under the knife just to get from those size AA’s to your much-desired DD’s? If you’re worried about employing methods other than natural breast enhancement to get the size and shape of breasts you desire, then perhaps you’re rightly fearful. There are just too many risks to breast enlargement surgery – scarring, bleeding, possible adverse reactions to anesthesia, improper positioning, and a loss of feeling around the nipple – just to name a few. Even just the last side effect, on its own, is pretty darn scary.
Breast size, to a large extent, is controlled by genetics. If your granny and mom buy their bras in the section for beginners or young teens, it’s likely that you skulk around that section too. If you’re a little “underwhelming” in the chest department, it may seem that the only way around this is by getting a boob job.
But take heart–lucky for us, there are literally less risky ways to make veritable “mountains” out of our less-than-desirable “molehills.” And cheaper and healthier ways they are, too!
Many types of food are naturally rich in the hormones that can enhance breast size, making it possible for us to actually eat our way to bigger breasts. In fact, women around the world are already wise to these varied methods, many of which involve plumping up the breasts via breast milk production. In Asia, for instance, one popular breast size booster is horseradish tree leaves. In the Mediterranean, women swear by fenugreek, Indian women take shatavari, and in the States, fennel is popular for encouraging milk flow.
How it works
Certain plants are rich in phytoestrogens, compounds that mimic the function of estrogens in the female body. Phytoestrogens can stimulate the milk ducts to grow, thus enlarging breast size. Plants that are used to increase milk production are known as galactogogues. And the good news is, you don’t need to get pregnant to reap the benefits of these plants. If it’s good for making milk, it’s also good for helping increase bust size.
Galactogogues and how to use them
The following are the superstars of the plant kingdom that are time-tested to be effective in enhancing breast size.
● Fenugreek
This herb from the asparagus family is one of the most often used for increasing milk production and has been used for centuries as part of traditional medicine especially in India, Greece, China and the Middle East. It has been recognized by the US Food and Drug Administration to be GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe). A study by Swafford and Berrens (2002) found that fenugreek statistically increased breast milk production by more than twice the usual amount.
How to Use and Dosage: You can buy it from health stores as a powder in pill form or as seeds, teas or tinctures.
- Seeds – ½ teaspoon three times a day.
- Capsule form (580-610 mg) – take 6 to 12 total in a day
- Tea – one cup of tea, 2-3 times a day
- Tincture – 1.2 ml three times a day mixed in water (or see directions on package)
Possible Side Effects and precautions:
- Since fenugreek is often used to flavor syrups to taste like maple, your sweat or urine may smell like maple syrup.
- In some cases, there have been reports of loose stool which stops when ingestion of fenugreek is discontinued.
- If more than 100 g of fenugreek seeds is ingested in a day, it can cause intestinal distress and nausea.
- Use with caution if you have a history of allergy to asparagus, peanuts, or chickpeas.
Fennel
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) is a common herb used for cooking and for healing various disorders such as indigestion and painful menstruation. This sweet, licorice-flavored herb is also used by breastfeeding women to increase the production of breastmilk.
How to Use and Dosage:
- As tincture: add 2-3 drops in water of juice three times a day
- As oil: one drop with honey 3-5 times a day
- As seeds: Grind the seeds and boil for 15 minutes to make a tea/infusion using 1-2 tsp seeds
Possible Side Effects and precautions:
- May lower blood sugar levels if you have a history of diabetes
- May increase likelihood of seizures if you have epilepsy
- May actually decrease milk production and likely breast size if used in excess
- May cause skin rashes if you have an allergy or sensitivity to fennel
Moringa
Moringa (Moringa oleifera) rightly deserves the name “superfood.” The leaves are rich in five essential vitamins & minerals including iron, calcium, vitamins A, E & K. It is also a complete source of plant protein with all 9 essential amino acids, high in fiber, and contains exceptionally high levels of antioxidants. It is native to Asia and Africa and has been used as a valuable food source as well as for promoting breast milk production before and after childbirth. Like fenugreek, studies on moringa prove that it also more than doubles breast milk production (Estrella, et al. 200).
How to Use:
- As food – just add a generous amount of leaflets to soups or can be made into a main dish by mixing with meat or chicken
- As powder – Start with a half teaspoon per mix in a favorite smoothie or juice for a total dose of 2-3 teaspoons a day. You can increase the dose as you go.
- As capsule – Take 1-2 capsules a day
- As an energy bar – two to three bars a day. It also contains fruits and nuts like mangoes and cashew with a hint of ginger. It’s sugar-free and a source of protein.
Precaution:
- Do not take if you a looking to get pregnant, as it may interfere with the implantation of the fertilized egg.
Shatavari
Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) also known as wild asparagus is an Ayurvedic herb mainly used for reproductive balance in both men and women. In women, it is used at all stages of the reproductive cycle from menarche (start of menses) to post menopause. Shatavari is also used to increase production of breast milk.
How to use:
The finger shaped roots of shatavari plant are available in two different forms:
- As ground powder – for every 250 ml of milk, add ½ teaspoon of powder, mix well and boil for 10-15 minutes. Let cool and add honey to sweeten as desired. Take this tea twice a day after lunch and dinner. Also refer to manufacturer’s instruction.
– As capsules – take 500 to 1000 mg a day after meals.
Precautions: Discontinue use if you have the following:
- Allergic reactions like rashes or difficulty breathing
- Weight gain and breast tenderness
- Possible interaction with diuretic medications. Shatavari is also a known diuretic that hastens urination and removal of salts from the body
- Colds and cough. Prolonged use of shatavari can worsen these conditions
References
Estrella, MCP, Mantaring, JBV III, GZ David and MA Taup. 2000. A double-blind, randomized controlled trial on the use of malunggay (Moringa oleifera) for augmentation of the volume of breastmilk among non-nursing mothers of preterm infants. The Philippine Journal of Pedriatrics. Vol. 49. No. 1. January – March.
Swafford S. and P. Berens. 2002. Effect of fenugreek on breast milk volume. ABM News and Views. Vol. 6., No. 3, p. 17.