Question: I have fibrous tumors in my uterus and on my ovaries. Have you researched this area at all? If you have, I was wondering if you could direct me because I understand that short of surgery there is no remedy. I was wondering if you have come across an herbal remedy.
Answer: There are several recommendations in good herb books for this condition. I have had experience myself with fibroid cysts in my breasts. There are recommendations for herbs to take internally and to use externally. I have mostly had success with the external treatments although I did take Evening Primrose Oil Caps internally.
I definitely would apply Castor Oil Packs externally. I know people who have had success with these packs for fibroid tumors. I personally have had success with these for breast cysts. The packs involve soaking a natural fiber cloth in Castor Oil, applying directly on the skin at area of concern, cover with plastic and use a heat source like a heating pad or hot water bottle. Leave on for 30 to 60 minutes. Do these on a regular basis, maybe 3 or 4 times a week or whatever you can manage.
I also applied the essential oils of Chamomile (Roman), Cypress and Lavender. We call it C Mixture. It is not a stock item but we can make it for you upon request. I would apply the essential oils diluted and sometimes undiluted on my lower abdomen area sometimes several times a day.
Ancient cultures used clay poultices or packs for a great deal of healing. The French and other Europeans have a history of using clay as well. Clay has strong drawing powers and promotes blood flow to the area which helps in the dispersal of problems including tumors. I have used our French Green Clay Powder for getting rid of moles, skin problems, facials and bug bites. Water or an herbal liquid is added to the powdered clay to make a paste. The paste is applied to the skin as thick as possible and covered to keep the poultice in place. Keep it on until it dries or for one or two hours or overnight.
Recommended also were hot sitz baths with essential oils and vaginal bolus or suppositories made from herbs. Healthy diet is another factor in healing and both of these books give their suggestions.
In a couple of excellent books the following herbs were recommended for internal use. These were listed as hormonal herbs and blood/liver purifying herbs. Some recipes combined the two types of herbs together. Other recommendations seemed to separate the two categories. I don’t think it matters if the hormonal herbs and the purifying herbs are taken separately or together. I think these are good recommendations and I have used almost all these herbs at one time or another.
There are connections made by some authorities that fibroid tumors tend to grow more when there are higher levels of estrogen in the body. Other factors can encourage their growth like obesity, alcohol use, high-fat diet, vitamin B deficiency and high levels of the hormone progesterone. Herbs, including the hormonal herbs, have a balancing effect on the body and do not necessarily elevate your hormones to unhealthy levels. This is a huge topic and you can never do it justice in one paragraph. I highly recommend reading the books I list below as well as my article titled Natural Alternatives to Hormone Replacement Therapy on our website.
Hormonal Herbs recommended by Rosemary Gladstar, Steven Foster & Linda White:
Black Cohosh Root
Chaste Tree Berry (Vitex)
Wild Yam Root
Cleansing & Supportive Herbs recommended by Rosemary Gladstar, Steven Foster & Linda White:
Burdock Root
Chaparral Herb
Cramp Bark
Dandelion Root
Lapacho Bark (Pau d’Arco)
Milk Thistle Seed
Oregon Grape Root
Prickly Ash Bark
Raspberry Leaf
Yellow Dock Root
This is just the barest of information here but I hope it gives the impression that there are many options for you. Please also make note of the botanical and safety information below.
REFERENCES:
Gladstar, Rosemary. Herbal Healing for Women. New York: Fireside. 1993.
Northrup, Christiane. Women’s Bodies Women’s Wisdom. New York: Bantam Books. 1998. (Covers nearly all women’s unique health problems with an all encompassing holistic health perspective. Very few books bring the inclusion of the whole person, (mind, body and soul) into each and every aspect of a condition’s various symptoms as Northrup does. Because she is a practicing M.D. drawing from her experiences and case histories, makes the profoundness of her findings so outstanding. This book has changed the lives of many. Required reading for men, women and doctors.)
White, Linda B., Foster, Steven and the staff of Herbs for Health. The Herbal Drugstore. Emmaus, Pennsylvania: Rodale Press. 2000.
HERB BOTANICAL & SAFETY INFORMATION:
Black Cohosh Root
Cimicifuga racemosa
Avoid when pregnant or nursing, limit use to 6 months.
Burdock Root
Arctium lappa
Safe to consume when used appropriately.
Chaparral Herb
Larrea tridentata
Seek advice from a health care practitioner before use if you have any history of liver disease. Discontinue use if nausea, fever, fatigue, or jaundice occur (e.g., dark urine or yellow discoloration of the eyes).
Chaste Tree Berry (Vitex)
Vitex agnus-castus
Avoid during pregnancy. May counteract effectiveness of birth control pills.
Cramp Bark
Viburnum opulus
Safe to consume when used appropriately.
Dandelion Root
Taraxacum officinale
Avoid during blockage of the bile ducts, acute gallbladder inflammation, and intestinal blockage. In case of gallstones, consult physician before use.
Lapacho Bark (Pau D’Arco)
Tabebuia avelleneda
Safe to consume when used appropriately.
Milk Thistle Seed
Silybum marianum
Safe to consume when used appropriately.
Oregon Grape Root
Mahonia aquafolium
Avoid during pregnancy.
Prickly Ash Bark
Zanthoxylum americanum
Avoid during pregnancy.
Raspberry Leaf
Rubus idaeus
Safe to consume when used appropriately.
Wild Yam Root
Dioscorea villosa
Safe to consume when used appropriately. Large doses of the tincture can produce vomiting.
Yellow Dock Root
Rumex crispus
Caution is advised for individuals with a history of kidney stones.
ESSENTIAL OIL BOTANICAL & SAFETY INFORMATION:
CHAMOMILE (ROMAN)
Anthemis noblis L.
Tested non-toxic at low levels. Avoid in early pregnancy.
CYPRESS
Cupressus sempervirens
Tested non-toxic at low levels. Avoid when pregnant, with high blood pressure and with cancer.
LAVENDER
Lavandula angustifolia
Tested non-toxic at low levels.