Home remedies for mastitis are effective alternate treatment to cure the problem. Mastitis usually occurs when bacteria enter the milk duct through cracked nipples and infect it. This causes redness and swelling of breast which makes breastfeeding painful. Pus secretion, nausea, fever and fatigue are other symptoms of mastitis.
Keeping the breast empty is the primary home remedy for mastitis because a full breast is going to aggravate the problem. Even if there is pus secretion breastfeeding shall be continued and if it is almost not possible than they should be emptied artificially. Hot water treatment along with breastfeeding can cure the problem. Apply mild compresses with a cloth soaked in hot water or rinse the nipples one by one with a warm water shower at least for few minutes 2-3 times in a day. Ice packs are also helpful but ice shall not be applied directly on the nipples.
Cabbage leaves are very effective home remedy for mastitis these leaves can be placed under the bra for 2-4 hours everyday. In many cases these leaves can draw out the infection within 24 hours. White vinegar is also a powerful home remedy for mastitis. Mix one teaspoon of white vinegar in a cup of water and lean over it to soak the nipples with it for few minutes, later pour this mixture on your nipples and let it dry. This can cure the infection in a very short time.
Rosemary is also an effective home remedy for mastitis. To make an infusion 3-4 teaspoons of dried rosemary shall be mixed with a cup of boiling water and allowed to steep for 10 minutes. Consuming this mixture after cooling relieves the pain and infection effectively. Another very effective treatment for mastitis is fenugreek seed poultices, few ounces of fenugreek seeds soaked in a cup of water and later grinded to form a paste. This paste shall be applied by spreading it on a warm piece of cloth and placing that cloth on infected breast. This treatment shall be repeated until infection is not cured.
Dandelion root is also a useful home remedy for mastitis when applied in the form of compresses on the affected breast. An ounce of dandelion root boiled with 2-3 cups of water till it is reduced to half, later compresses of this remaining mixture with a piece of cloth on the affected breast surely alleviates the pain and infection.
Consumption of raw garlic is also effective in curing the infection as it raises the immunity system to flush out the infection. 2-3 cloves of garlic swallowed in pieces everyday helps the body in cleaning the infection and works as a good home remedy for mastitis. Garlic consumed with orange juice is also helpful.
Calendula cream applied topically on the affected breast or consumed in the form of tea is also helpful in treating the problem of mastitis. Tincture of echinacea consumed 3-4 times in a day or tea tree oil applied topically on the infected breast surely alleviates the problem. However breast should be properly washed after the use of tea tree oil before lactation.
Proper rest also works as a home remedy for mastitis and massaging the breast towards nipples while feeding also helps the body in curing the infection.
