Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Who is groovy booby for?
A. groovy booby is designed for women of all ages. Whether you are a young girl getting her first bra, a college student, pregnant, a post-nursing mom, a woman in her menopause years or a great-grandmother, your breasts probably could use some positive, healthy, genuinely loving attention. Whether you have large breasts, small breasts, one breast or two breasts, natural breasts or breast implants, wear bras or go braless, groovy booby will keep you nourished and protected with gentle, safe, herbal ingredients.
Q. Can I use groovy booby if I am breast feeding?
A.groovy booby contains essential oils, which are not recommended for the nursing breast (let’s not confuse baby with the taste and smell). Instead, try our sister product “Breast Friend,” the essential-oil-free version of groovy booby dedicated to nursing moms! Be sure to see our resources page for more information about how to naturally ease sore breasts and nipples during your breastfeeding years.
Q. Is there any reason why I should not use groovy booby?
A. Follow these common sense guidelines: groovy booby is intended for topical use only, not for consumption. Do not apply groovy booby to an open wound. Avoid the use of groovy booby if you are allergic to any of the ingredients. If you have sensitive skin, test on a small area before liberal use. Do not use groovy booby if you have a serious breast condition for which you have not sought professional medical help. groovy booby is not intended to substitute for proper medical attention.
Q. How often should I use groovy booby?
A. groovy booby can be used two to six times daily or as needed. Our “breast guru” Cheryl Chapman reports that women with fibrocystic breast disease who take on the challenge to massage their breasts twice daily for three months, experience virtually complete softening of their breasts and relief from associated discomfort. (Fibrocystic breast disease is more of a condition than disease. Cheryl and I have completely healed from this condition through breast massage). If you have fibrocystic breasts and choose to take the twice daily breast massage challenge, we invite you to add an all natural herbal breast care oil like groovy booby to your routine.
Q. Can I use groovy booby if I have breast cancer?
A.groovy booby is not a breast cancer treatment; it is a breast health care product designed to encourage women to perform daily breast massage. However, massage therapy in general is great when appropriately applied before, during and after your cancer treatment. Massage can be very helpful for reducing scar tissue formation, to prepare you for surgery, and to relax and reconnect you through difficult times. To find a qualified massage practitioner in your area who specializes in oncology massage go to www.s4om.org and find the therapist locator. You may also read these guidelines (“Important things to consider before trying massage therapy” at the very bottom of the page) to help you when you decide to receive massage therapy during breast cancer. Read our “other uses” page for guidance on how you might appropriately use groovy booby before, during and after breast surgery. In addition, see our resources page for links to natural treatment of breast cancer, which can include the use of herbal infused oils.
Perhaps the bigger question is, “Does massage spread cancer?” Cancer can spread with little or no activity, such as sleeping, breathing, eating, walking, etc. We believe that gentle, compassionate touch can be administered effectively without fear of spreading cancer, as long as no massage and direct pressure is applied to a traumatized area affected by cancer. Light massage may actually have a protective effect, as it keeps blood and lymph circulating and reduces stress by decreasing the stress hormone cortisol. Deep massage is never recommended for anyone with cancer at any time.
Cancer metastasizes (spreads) via the lymph and blood. The biggest constant lymph mover is respiration (breathing) and the biggest blood mover is the heart. We seriously joke that if you don’t want to spread cancer, stop breathing and don’t move! Remember, loving touch is healing by its intention. And the intention of massage during breast cancer is to connect a woman’s body, ease stress, and convey a loving, healing spirit.
Q. Can I use Intensive Breast Care (IBC) Poke Root Infused Oil if I am breast feeding?
A. Poke root is strong and aside from its medicinal uses, it is generally considered toxic or poisonous. You may know that the seeds and roots contain the most potent constituents. Poke roots and seeds (if broken open), when ingested beyond very miniscule therapeutic quantities, can cause severe intestinal distress, vomiting, hallucinations, and other toxic side effects.
The reason for our warning is that we wouldn’t want to ever risk baby ingesting any poke root residue that may be left on the breast. Since we don’t want to risk any distress to baby’s tummy, we advise that to be 100% certain this does not happen, the easiest way to avoid any risk whatsoever is to avoid using it while breastfeeding. While all mom’s can make their own decision about washing the breast with soap and water to remove the residue, we know there are other ways you can treat cysts that don’t put baby at any risk. My #1 recommendation is to save the poke root oil for use once your baby is weaned, and try these in the mean time:
Clearing the lymph can help by assisting in the removal of excessive fluids, preventing stagnation and cyst formation in the breasts. While botanicals can assist the lymphatic system in clearing congestion and accumulated fluids or wastes in the breast, they are more in conjunction with other things you can consider:
- twice or more daily breast massage
- soaking the breast in warm water baths with or without parsely or comfrey tea in it (massage the breast a time or two while soaking)
- other means of treating the breast with heat, such as compresses or hot water bottles, preferably not heating pads
- castor oil packs, bentonite clay packs on the breast (see the article link below for more detail)
- reducing estrogenic chemical exposure (in your diet and environment) by avoiding contact with them as well as keeping your liver clear (e.g., avoiding: plastic food containers, including bottled water; pesticide or hormone treated meat and dairy (go organic); refraining from nail polish and remover; ridding your household of industrial detergents and using only “green” plant-based soaps, lotions,& household cleaners; wearing natural fiber clothes over synthetics)
See Jill Stansbury, N.D.’s great article on botanicals for fibrocystic breasts (which are the same principles that cause a single larger cyst).
