The three main causes of sore breasts are blocked tubes, mastitis, and engorgement. According to The Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year, by Susun Weed, the following may be helpful for sore breasts. If you suspect you have an infection, please only use your towels once before washing them again.

Hot water alone can stimulate circulation and ease tension in taut tissues. Frequent, short (4 or 5 times per day for 3 to 5 minutes) work better than lengthy treatments.

Run a sink full of warm water. Bend over it with your breasts in the sink. Allow your milk to flow out, massaging down from the back of the breast to relieve engorgement and ease pain.

Use a hot compress of Parsley to ease swollen and painful breasts. Place a handful of fresh or dried leaves in a cotton diaper, tie with a rubber band and steep in simmering water for 10 to 15 minutes. Compress your breast with the hot, wet bundle.

Also try Comfrey leaves, prepared the same as above, for sore nipples, engorged breasts, and to help unblock tubes or ducts.

Prepare a cold poultice of raw potato to draw out the heat of inflammation, localize infection, and unblock clogged ducts or tubes. Grate raw potato and apply directly to the breast, covering with a clean cloth. Remove or replace when dry.

Soak breasts in Marshmallow root. It soothes sore breasts, opens clogged ducts and tubes, draws out infection, and decreases the pain of engorgement and sore nipples. Make an infusion of the dried root by steeping two ounces in a half gallon of boiling water overnight. Reheat to near boiling. Pour in a sink or basin and soak breasts until the infusion cools.

Warm a handful of dried Elder blossoms in enough olive oil to cover. Keep warm for 20 minutes. Strain, cool and rub the oil into the nipples and breasts to relieve pain and sensitivity.