Ovarian cysts are sacs or pockets filled with fluid which develop either within one or both of a woman’s ovaries or on the surface of one/both ovaries.
Generally, ovarian cysts or the fluid-filled growths in a woman’s ovaries do not cause any problems. But, in some cases, they may cause painful symptoms which can be effectively managed with the help of a few beneficial herbs for ovarian cysts. Herbal remedies can treat ovarian cysts naturally, as they are helpful in managing the symptoms associated with the cysts.
Ovarian cysts are generally not a part of a disease process because, in most cases, ovarian cysts are considered to be ‘functional’ — that is, the occurrence of these cysts is normal during a woman’s menstrual cycle. Most women have ovarian cysts at some point of time in their lives, during their childbearing years.
Ovarian cysts are mainly caused by irregularities in menstrual cycles, hormonal imbalance, early menstruation (before 11 years of age), infertility treatments, overweight, Hypothyroidism, use of certain drugs, and cigarette smoking.
Ovarian cysts are mostly benign and develop without any evident reason, and also go away on their own. As such, woman affected by the condition are not generally aware of it. However, in certain cases, ovarian cysts (chiefly pathological cysts) can be cancerous, and thus require timely treatment. In such cases, ovarian cysts can become very large in size and can rupture; thereby causing damage to the ovary/ovaries or leading to displacement of the reproductive organs. Some cysts can also potentially affect a woman’s fertility.
Using herbs for managing ovarian cysts is a safe and natural approach for dealing with the condition. Nonetheless, to treat ovarian cysts naturally, it is always advisable that the use of herbs should be undertaken under the guidance and recommendation of an Ayurvedic expert.
Symptoms of Ovarian Cysts
There are no typical signs and symptoms of ovarian cysts. Since most women who have ovarian cysts do not even know about the condition, these cysts are mainly discovered during the course of a routine physical examination. Still, there are some perceptible indications of the occurrence of ovarian cysts, particularly large cysts. These indications include:
- Sharp, sudden and intermittent pelvic pain during periods
- Irregular monthly periods
- Infertility
- Anovulatory menstrual cycles
- Pain in the pelvic area after sex or strenuous exercise
- Pain in the vagina, with spotty mid-cycle bleeding
- Nausea and vomiting, especially after the rupturing of a cyst
- Abdominal bloating
- Pain/pressure in the abdomen while having a bowel movement or urinating.
Natural tips for the treatment of ovarian cysts
The use of herbs for ovarian cysts is one of the best natural tips for managing the condition in a safe and effective way. Some extremely beneficial herbs can treat ovarian cysts naturally and provide relief from pain and other symptoms linked to the condition.
More specifically, some of the most effective natural tips for managing ovarian cysts have been listed below:
- Heat treatment
The use of heat for treating ovarian cysts can be very beneficial in alleviating pain. For heat treatment, a heating pad or hot water bottle should be placed on the abdomen and the lower pelvic area. Heat treatment can be very helpful in reducing muscle cramps and abdominal pain associated with ovarian cysts.
- Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is also an excellent natural remedy for tackling ovarian cysts. It is abundant in potassium, and its use is often recommended by many health experts. Daily intake of a solution of Apple cider vinegar with black strap molasses (one tablespoon each) in a glass of warm water can help in shrinking and dissolving ovarian cysts.
- Castor Oil Pack
The application of castor oil pack to the abdomen is a time-tested natural tip to treat ovarian cysts naturally. The pack (prepared by drizzling two tablespoons of castor oil on a big flannel cloth folded in 2-3 layers for thickness) can eliminate excess tissues and toxins from the body. It can also reduce and dissolve ovarian cysts by stimulating the lymphatic and circulatory systems.
- Epsom Salt Bath
Abdominal pain and other symptoms related to ovarian cysts can be effectively managed with an Epsom salt bath. For the bath, one cup of Epsom salt should be added to warm water filled in the bath tub, with a few drops of essential oils (such as rose, jasmine or lavender) added to it. Epsom salt has a high content of magnesium sulphate and works as a muscle relaxant for alleviating pain.
- Ginger
Ginger is one of the most beneficial herbs for ovarian cysts because of its proven anti-inflammatory properties. Daily intake of ginger juice — a two-inch ginger piece blended together with half a glass of apple juice, three-fourths of a pineapple, and two stalks of celery — can relieve pain, reduce inflammation and manage the other symptoms of ovarian cysts.
- Beetroot
Drinking beetroot juice daily can also help in treating ovarian cysts. Freshly extracted beetroot juice — with one tablespoon each of blackstrap molasses and Aloe Vera gel — can reduce the severity of most of the symptoms of ovarian cysts. Beetroot is alkaline in nature and can balance the acidity in the body. In addition, the presence of a compound called ‘betacyanin’ in beetroot enhances the functioning of the liver and removes toxins from the body.
- Flaxseeds
Daily intake of one tablespoon of ground flaxseed in one glass of warm water can be helpful in reducing ovarian cysts. Flaxseeds are rich in fiber and have the ability to balance the proportion of estrogen to progesterone in the body. Moreover, flaxseeds also help the body in eliminating harmful toxins, and other waste products processed by the liver.
- Increase Fluid Intake
Women suffering from ovarian cysts should also increase their daily intake of fluids for flushing out toxins, and reducing pain and swelling in the abdomen. Though alkaline or filtered water is the best option, drinking coconut water and the juice of green vegetables is also very beneficial. But, soda, coffee, and alcoholic beverages should be avoided.
Conclusion: The use of herbs for ovarian cysts and other natural tips can be very helpful in managing the painful condition and preventing it from becoming severe. The above-mentioned tips to treat ovarian cysts naturally can shrink cyst size, reduce cyst growth, control estrogen levels, and promote hormonal balance.
Author Bio – This article is written by DR. Vikram Chauhan (MD – AYURVEDA). He is an expert Ayurvedic practitioner based in Chandigarh, India and doing his practice in Mohali, India. He is spreading the knowledge of Ayurveda (Ancient healing treatment), not only in India but also abroad. He is the CEO and Founder of Planet Ayurveda Products, Planet Ayurveda Clinic and Krishna Herbal Company.