What medicinal benefits does applying potatoes externally have?

Using potatoes externally can prevent milk inflammation and deterioration, and assist in the treatment of mastitis. Here are the benefits:

1. Preventing Milk Inflammation and Deterioration

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, potatoes are considered to have a neutral nature, sweet taste, and are non-toxic. They can strengthen the spleen and stomach, regulate qi and harmonize the middle, reduce inflammation, relieve acute and chronic pain, and promote smooth bowel movements. Potatoes have significant effects on patients with spleen and stomach weakness, indigestion, gastrointestinal disharmony, abdominal pain, and constipation. Applying potato slices to swollen breasts can effectively prevent milk inflammation and deterioration. Therefore, applying potato slices to swollen breasts has anti-inflammatory benefits.

2. Assisting in the Treatment of Mastitis

For patients with mastitis, if they want to use potato slices to apply to their breasts to reduce symptoms, they need to know how long to apply the potato slices. Only by correctly mastering the relevant operating methods and precautions can they help their breasts recover better. Regarding the question of how long to apply potato slices for mastitis, patients first need to know that potato slices can indeed be used for application. After cleaning the potatoes and slicing them, applying them to the breasts of mastitis patients can have the effect of clearing heat and reducing swelling, effectively relieving the symptoms of breast pain and discomfort caused by mastitis. Generally, applying thin potato slices wrapped in plastic wrap for about an hour is sufficient.

3. Relieving Blocked Milk Symptoms

When there is moderate blockage of milk flow, potato therapy can also be used as an adjunct treatment. The specific method is to wash the potatoes clean, cut them into thin slices, and apply them to the breasts (avoiding the nipple) using the same method as described for cabbage leaves. The maximum duration of application should be one hour (as potatoes may be slightly more irritating to the skin than cabbage).