Using plant parts for medicinal purposes is known as herbal medicine. The roots, flowers, seeds and stems from plants are used alone or in combination for everything from digestive upset to diabetes. Herbal combinations are used for hormonal balance in women with ovarian cysts -- fluid-filled pockets on the surface or inside the ovary. You should use herbal medicine along with traditional medical care, not as a replacement. Consult your doctor before taking herbs for ovarian cysts.
Ovarian Cysts
Your ovaries play an important role in reproduction. Having cysts on your ovaries is not necessarily harmful on its own. Many women have ovarian cysts at some point during their lifetime. Ovarian cysts often cause no pain and resolve on their own. However, ovarian cysts can sometimes cause lower abdominal pain. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, which is when ovaries produce too much of the male sex hormone testosterone, have higher rates of ovarian cysts.
Dang Gui Shao Yao San
Dang gui shao yao san is a traditional Chinese formula used for gynecological issues, including ovarian cysts. It combines the herb tang kuei, also known as dong quai, with peony. Tang keui is a shrub commonly used for uterine health. Peony is a shrub used for hormone balancing. It is commonly used for menopausal symptoms related to decreased hormone production, such as hot flashes. According to Dr. Edward Tsang, who is trained in Chinese medicine, DGSYS reduces pain and discomfort associated with gynecological disorders and improves overall uterine health and functioning.
Wen Jing Tang
Wen jing tang, another herbal formula appears to have hormone balancing effects that help improve ovary function. This formula combines the plants ginger, Asian ginseng, Ligusticum wallichii and tang keui. According to a study published in the 2006 issue of "American Journal of Chinese Medicine," wen jing tang helps improve hormone balance and overall endocrine function in women with PCOS. A hormone imbalance is associated with ovarian cysts, but whether wen jing tang's hormone balancing effect would reduce ovarian cysts is uncertain.
Herbal Safety
Although herbs come from nature and have been used for healing for thousands of years, they still have the capability to cause side effects and interact with your medication. Herbal medicine is considered a natural and complementary approach to traditional medicine. You should not use herbal medicine to replace traditional health care. Consult a health care provider with botanical experience if you are considering taking herbs for your ovarian cysts.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Herbal Medicine; Steven D. Ehrlich; September 2009
- MayoClinic.com; Ovarian Cysts; July 2009
- "The American Journal of Chinese Medicine"; Effects of Switching to Wen-jing-tang (Unkei-to) ... ; T. Ushiroyama, et al.; 2006
- Tcm: The Usages of "Dang Gui Shao Yao San" ... ; Dr. Edward Tsang
- Institute for Traditional Medicine: Treatment of Ovarian Cysts with Chinese Herbs; Subhuti Dharmananda,; November 1997
- Blue Poppy Press: Ovarian Cysts and Chinese Medicine; Bob Flaws; 2004
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