TCM for Cysts and Other Accumulations
Herbs for Cysts and Other Accumulations
Chinese Herbs for Cysts and Swellings
In Chinese medicine we view a cyst as a collection of stagnant fluid and blood. While not a life-threatening situation, it is nonetheless viewed as a disruption in the body’s healthy processes. Women who have cysts have a hormone imbalance and are not ovulating optimally.
Ovarian cysts are considered to be a product of three factors: phlegm, dampness, and blood stasis. Most chronic swellings, including cysts and tumors, are called accumulations. Benign accumulations generally occur because of poor flow and excess damp (fluids). Other interior conditions, such as heat or cold can contribute to the nature of these accumulations.
Cysts are difficult to treat. They are closed sacks of fluid, isolated from normal blood flow. This makes them hard to reach with medicines that act through the bloodstream. For many practitioners, the goto formula for ovarian cysts in GUI ZHI FU LING WAN.
There are also several Chinese herbal remedies that may be very helpful in reducing and preventing the formation of ovarian and other cysts. This, by increasing flow, breaking blood, dissolving phlegm, and warming interior cold. Several are listed.
Zedoria Tablets – for cysts and tumors – breaks stagnations
Bupleurum Entangled Qi – breast cysts – invigorates chest qi, dissolves phlegm
Citrus Seed Pills – Ji Sheng Ju He Wan – for testicular cysts
Wen JING Tang – ovarian cysts – warms the menses
GUI ZHI Fu Ling San – ovarian cysts – dries systemic damp
NEI XIAO LUO LI PIAN - neck or thyroid nodules
Er Chen Wan – for systemic damp.
ACUPUNCTURE FOR CYSTS AND FIBROIDS
Acupuncture can be quite effective for cysts. Because qi permeates all the tissue, acupuncture may be helpful for some people in reducing the size of smaller cysts and, more importantly, preventing their occurrence.
The acupuncturist might surround the cyst with needles. This is called 'circling the dragon' and may apply electrostim to the needles. This in addition to using points to alleviate dampness and blood stasis.
Ovarian cysts are considered to be a product of three factors: phlegm, dampness, and blood stasis.
Women who have recurring and multiple cysts may have a hormone imbalance and are not ovulating optimally. Acupuncture may help to bring balance to the endocrine system and hormones and can directly affect ovulation. There are many acupuncture techniques to help improve blood flow to the reproductive organs and optimize ovulation.
