Medicinal Herbs for Cysts

The word cyst is derived from the Greek word "kystis," which means "pouch." Cysts are abnormal closed pockets of fluid or solid substances that occur within tissues in any part of the body, according to the article "What Is A Cyst? What Causes Cysts?" published in August 2009 by the website Medical News Today. Cysts have walls that seperate them from surrounding tissues, and are generally caused by obstructed ducts. Cysts occasionally need to be removed surgically, otherwise certain herbs can help treat and even dissolve cysts.

Sheep Sorrel

Sheep sorrel is also known botanically as Rumex acetosella and is a member of the Buckwheat family. It is a perennial herb that can grow up to 12 inches high and has arrow-shaped leaves and tiny red and yellow flowers that bloom in the months of April through September, describe James Duke and Steven Foster in their book "A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants and Herbs." The fresh and roasted leaves are used in folk medicine to make a poultice to treat sebaceous cysts, and it is considered to have cancer-preventative vitamins and four antioxidant compounds, write Duke and Foster. They warn against internal use of sheep sorrel as it may be toxic due to its high tannin and oxalic acid content.
To make a sheep sorrel poultice simply blend roasted sheep sorrel leaves with water or olive oil until you reach a thick paste consistency. Wrap the paste in a cotton rag and apply in directly to the area of skin where you have a sebaceous cyst.

Bitter Orange

In traditional Chinese medicine, cysts are referred to as accumulations of excess and are considered isolated sacks in the body, for they don't share the normal blood flow of the tissues that surround them. Wen Jing Tang, also referred to as bitter orange, is a common herb used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat ovarian cysts, as it warms the menstrual cycle, according to Dr. Shen in his article "Chinese Herbs for Cysts, Tumors, and other Accumulations," published on his website.
Use the fruit peel of bitter orange to make tea and drink thrice daily.

Dandelion

According to Dr. Christopher's Herbal Legacy website,a high intake of potassium can help reduce the propensity to developing cysts. Dandelion tea or tincture can help treat cysts as it is as rich source of potassium, says herbalist David Hoffmann in his book "The New Holistic Herbal."