What do medical professionals and herbalists say about natural breast enhancement pills and creams? Are they safe? Do breast enlargement pills and massage creams really work? Here are some basic facts regarding breast implants, enhancement pills, creams, and dietary supplements for breast enlargement that are considered natural and contain phytoestrogens (extracts of plant hormones):
1. If you expect to instantly jump several bra sizes and have plump round breasts overnight then natural breast enlargement products are NOT for you. What you’re after are breast implants (in the US, most are saline based, unless implated following a mastectomy, where silicone implants have been re-approved by the FDA in certain cases). The risks of undergoing that particular invasive surgical procedure are well documented. However, for women who have already decided that the benefits outweigh the risks, and desire to know the current breast implants prices, we offer a general idea for budgeting purposes only. Augmentation prices, including surgeon’s fees, saline implants, hospital stay and miscellaneous costs, range from $5,000 to $8,000. We suggest going to Locate A Doctor (which is a website that offers real-life before and after breast implant pictures done by specific plastic surgeons), that provides very specific information about numerous doctors across the United States, including photographs, bios, credentials and contact information for surgeons, as well as the average breast implants prices for recommended clinics in your region. On the other hand, if you’ve ruled out the possibility of a surgical breast implant procedure, and wish to try some of the latest breast enlargement pills, then continue reading.
2. Most natural breast enhancement formulas (in pill form) contain extracts of fenugreek, red clover, blessed thistle, a Chinese herb known as dong quai, fennel seed, extracts of whole grains like rye and barley (most notably hops used in brewing beer), an Asian herb called pueraria mirifica used in Thailand and Burma, saw palmetto, wild yam which is rich in plant estrogen, and a rather strange ingredient called bovine ovary extract (which is exactly what it sounds like: a hormonal extract derived from cow’s ovaries). The reason that breast enhancement pills use these particular herbal (or bovine) extracts is due to them being high in phytoestrogens – estrogen, as most women know, is a natural hormone our body produces, and phyto means that the hormone is plant derived. Some popular breast enlargement pills, like Breast Actives, also contain: vitamin E, dandelion root, kelp (which is seaweed), watercress leaf, and L-Tyrosine. In a moment we’ll look at what these herbs do and if they’re safe. But first, here are the ingredients in natural breast enhancement creams.
3. Natural breast enlargement massage creams (which are often sold in conjunction with the pills, such as with the Breast Actives formulas) contain the same ingredients as the pills, as well as avocado, almond and sunflower oil, chamomile, grapefruit seed, Aloe Vera, collagen and a few other harmless essences.
4. The safety of natural breast enhancement products is very difficult to asses. Why? Because the ingredients themselves, when taken in their natural plant state as “food”, and not as an extract, are generally considered safe, and herbalists around the world recommend them for a variety of ailments (nothing to do with breast enlargement), however they are usually administered individually. Although these particular herbs are known for their phytoestrogens, the fact is that most everything we eat that’s natural, like grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts and even herbs we use as condiments, contain phytoestrogens. Yet the body assimilate the natural estrogen they contain (as well as all vitamins, minerals and essential amino acids) when eaten as “whole foods”. The nutritional value of the most commonly ingested plants (and how the body receives nutrition from whole plants and herbs) has been studied and evaluated and their effects are quite well known. However, the essences or extracts of plants that are concentrated and isolated from the “plant” itself, are a different substance and without the complex matrix and flora of the natural leaf, root, seed or grain may react differently in each person. Therefore, how the body assimilates (or IF the body CAN digest and absorb the nutrients and hormones) and how an individual will react to concentrated formulas, and essences mixed together, is virtually unknown. What is known is that the majority of plants and herbs that contain high levels of phytoestrogen, are not recommended for women who are pregnant or breast-feeding. Also, women who have had their ovaries removed, are experiencing menopause or are post menopausal, will react differently to estrogen stimulation – both natural and otherwise. So, are breast enhancement pills safe? Please continue reading in order to be able to make an informed decision on your own based on a few more facts.
5. Natural breast enlargement issues have been addressed by such well-known authors as Susun Weed (author of Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year; Healing Wise; Breast Cancer? Breast Health! , and other insightful books on menopause and women’s health issues, available through ash-tree-publishing), who says: “Phytoestrogenic herbs are usually too powerful for long-term use”…. “it is safest to use only one herb at a time, and use it only when needed, although that may mean daily use for several months.” For more information regarding the use of specific herbs, we suggest consulting her book New Menopausal Years the Wise Woman Way.
6. A medical professional, Ray Sahelian, M.D., who has crafted a virtual encyclopedia of dietary supplements and natural medicine, conditions versus herbal remedies, as well as written numerous books, has been asked specifically about natural breast enhancement pills and creams. What makes us want to listen to what he has to say on the topic of breast enlargement pills? We listen because Dr. Sahelian tests herbs and their effects on HIMSELF (not lab rats), experimenting with dosages etc., before jumping to conclusions. He also tests popular supplements, and is widely recognized as an expert while documenting both positive and negative results from tens of thousands of people who use popular products and send him their personal findings. Having appeared on NBC, CBS and CNN, and been cited as an expert in Health, and other medical and nutritional journals, makes what he says regarding breast enlargement pills carry weight. He clearly states that there have been no published clinical trials. And after listing ingredients, says: “many breast enhancement dietary supplements contain substrates for Fusarium, a fungus that produces zearalenone, a potent estrogen that has been associated with breast enlargement in humans and other species.” However, he concludes by saying that “the use of bust-enhancing products should be discouraged because of lack of evidence for efficacy and long-term safety concerns.” He also mentions one of the ingredients called L Tyrosine, and states that, “L Tyrosine has cardiac risks of heart palpitations or cardiac rhythm disturbances, but we are not aware of any issues with breast enhancement.”
Dr Ray Sahelian sums up what most researchers, herbal experts and the medical world is saying about natural breast enhancement formulas: “We have not seen any research with herbs that involve enlargement or enhancement of breasts.” To paraphrase the main points of an extensive Q & A, here are the highlights: The medical and herbal world appear to agree that human testing and research is lacking as to how natural supplements may enlarge breasts (so don’t run out shopping for bigger bra sizes just yet). On a humorous note, Dr Sahelian adds that “getting fatter overall would enlarge breasts”, but continues, “I am not aware of any product that actually increases the size of fat cells in breast tissue without increasing the size of fat cells in other parts of the body.” He continues to analyze the issues surrounding how herbs affect the body in determined ways and, amongst other things, states: “it is possible that there are such herbs or supplements that have this breast enhancement effect that I may not be familiar with and I would not be surprised if there are such herbs.” Nevertheless, he believes that it is a potential waste of money to buy breast enhancement pills “until more research is available.”
It appears to be clear that data, based on long term effects, is lacking when it comes to natural breast enhancing supplements and even when it comes to determining the correct dosage of herbs when extracted from plants. Some women who have tried the latest breast enhancement pills have reported very different reactions and experiences. Some claim to have seen a half inch (or up to an inch) increase in their bustline; others say it did nothing – either good or bad. Why? If it works, it works, no? Not necessarily. Individual reactions to the formulas can vary greatly depending on a woman’s age and metabolism as well as factors like her hormone level – if she’s pre or post menopausal, if she has ovaries or has had a complete hysterectomy. Other factors that can affect the results a woman may notice are as simple as her daily diet. Women, who are conscious of diet and exercise, may want to discuss with a naturopath which herbs, plants, vegetables or essential supplements may be added to their diet as “whole foods”, so their entire body, including the breasts, may retain a healthy youthful appearance even with the passage of time.
Appendix: Breast Implants Prices
The breast implants prices below are current as of October, 2010. Mid price range is about $7,000 in the USA. The cheapest in the entire USA you’ll find in Beaverton, Oregon, for just $1,200. On the other hand there are very expensive clinics where the prices of implants are over $10,000. I’ve found a clinic in California offering the treatment for $50,000, the other in Florida for $70,000.
Prices outside the USA: the cheapest breast implants I’ve found are in Pakistan, for just $1,000. On the other hand the most expensive are in South Africa: from $5,000 to $40,000.