Cysts, or sacs that are filled with fluid, can occur nearly anywhere in your body, including in the skin, ovaries, breasts and lungs. Your physician may recommend surgical removal in some cases, but there are herbal remedies to get rid of cysts as well. Always consult your physician before using herbs to treat a condition.
Chasteberry
Chasteberry, also known as vitex or monk's pepper, is a tree native to Europe and Mediterranean regions. This plant is commonly used as an herbal remedy, particularly when it comes to treating fibroid cysts that occur in smooth muscle fibers. Chasteberry may also find use in reducing the incidence of acne cysts. Do not consume chasteberry if you are pregnant.
Echinacea
Taking echinacea, a traditional Native American herb, may help alleviate some types of cysts. Marilyn Glenville, president of the Food and Health Forum at the Royal Society of Medicine, suggests that taking echinacea for 20 days interrupted by a three-day break in the middle may increase white blood cell count and effectiveness by breaking down the abnormal cells that make up ovarian cysts. Echinacea may also help treat acne cysts.
Dandelion
Eat dandelion greens as an herbal remedy to reduce the occurrence of cysts in your body if you are a woman. Dr. John R. Christopher, founder of the School of Natural Healing, indicates that cysts grow due to potassium deficiency. A 1-cup serving of raw dandelion greens contains 218 mg of potassium, a considerable portion of the 2,000 mg of this mineral you require each day.
Evening Primrose
Evening primrose, a flower, is high in essential fatty acids, which may play a role in cyst prevention. The University of Maryland Medical Center website suggests that this herbal treatment may prevent breast cysts. The Herbs 2000 website notes that the fatty acids in evening primrose reduce inflammation associated with cyst development and ease pain that sometimes accompanies cysts.
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Writer Bio
Nicki Wolf has been writing health and human interest articles since 1986. Her work has been published at various cooking and nutrition websites. Wolf has an extensive background in medical/nutrition writing and online content development in the nonprofit arena. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English from Temple University.