Certain plants, especially those rich in phyto-estrogens, are being looked at more closely for their role in growing a healthier bosom.

Using herbs and foods to enhance a woman’s form date back to ancient times, and some suggest that the use of tinctures, massage oils and brews were popular among Egyptian harems. Some of the most popular supplements include saw palmetto, fenugreek, fennel, red clover, wild yam and dong quai. Empirical scientific evidence is more limited than anecdotal evidence from multiple cultural references that suggest breast enlargement can occur from certain natural compounds.

If larger or suppler breasts are desired, going the natural ‘aphrodisiac‘ route is likely to be safer, greener and gentler to your body and the planet.

Common Herbs: Below is a list of some of the most common mastogenic plants. Please note, while we only cover mostly breast health effects here, each of these plants are known to have additional health properties.

• Fenugreek: This herb, which tastes like a combination of celery and maple syrup, has been shown to minimize the symptoms of menopause, and increase a woman’s bust size and milk production in nursing mothers.  Specifically, India’s traditional Ayurvedic physicians prescribe it to nursing mothers to increase their milk, and in American folk medicine, fenugreek was considered a potent menstruation promoter. More locally, Middle East harem women ate the seeds to become more buxom.  How does it work? Fenugreek seeds contain steroid precursors, diosgenin and other phyto-estrogens that are thought to increase breast size.

• Saw Palmetto: This compound is popular as a natural treatment for prostate enlargement and impotence in men, but it is also recommended by those who practice natural medicine to increase a woman’s bust size and sexual desire.  Many cultures have used it throughout the centuries. Native Americans used the berries for food and medicine, particularly for breast disorders in women. Saw palmetto berry also tones the urethra, and it may be used to uphold the healthy function of the thyroid gland and urinary system.  How does it work? Phyto-nutrients stimulate breast tissue, increasing health and size.

• Wild Yam: This most popular herbal tonic is noted for its benefits to a woman’s reproductive system, including minimizing premenstrual and menopausal symptoms, again because of it’s phyto-nutrients. It can be taken in capsule or tea form. The powder can also be added to cream with which a woman can use to massage her breasts.

• Fennel:  This herb has been used to treat amenorrhea (absence of a menstrual cycle), low sex drive in women, and to increase bust size and promote milk production in new mothers. Rich in phyto-nutrients, it works well with Fenugreek, and can be added to creams like Wild Yam to be massaged directly on the breasts.

Dosages and Risks: There are many supplements on the market with wide-ranging doses. Some websites suggest that if a woman intends to use breast-enhancing herbs, she take them as single ingredients for maximum results. That way, she can control how much she takes and start with just one or two at a time. Most have been used for centuries across cultures with little known risks.

With that said, we recommend that you see your health care provider before starting any new regime, since dosages are not standardized, and there still could be some risks, especially if a woman is pregnant, nursing or taking other prescription drugs or supplements.

When in doubt, ask an informed provider first.

Success Rates: Generally speaking, using natural herbs and supplements are less drastic than the options provided for by modern medicine, such as surgery. This also means they are less invasive. Until more research is conducted on these and other breast enhancing compounds, we can’t establish universal guidelines or success rates. Individuals are likely to experience different outcomes.

Our recommendation? Check with your physician, obtain these from a reliable source, preferably organic and sustainably harvested, and conduct your own personal research to determine which herbs are best for your breasts.

:: Image: Diana Blackwell

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