Last Modified on Nov 01, 2015
What are Ganglion Cysts?
Ganglion cysts are lumps that form along the joints of wrists and hands, and sometimes on ankles and feet. They are round in shape, filled with thick fluid, and can range from pea-sized to nearly an inch in diameter. Depending on size and location, symptoms of ganglion cysts can be ignored unless painful or swelling in size due to use of the joint or tendon. It's unclear as to why ganglion cysts form, but it's thought they appear when tissue around the join or tendon gets out of place, as the interior of the cyst is filled the jelly-like fluid found inside joints and around tendons.
Often ganglion cysts can dissipate on their own, doctors can drain them with syringes, and rarely is surgical removal the best option. Ganglion cysts most often occur in women between 20 and 30, but risk is increased in people with joint and tendon injuries or arthritis.
Home Remedies for Ganglion Cysts
This Earth Clinic page is for the posting of home and natural cures for ganglion cysts. Our most popular treatments for ganglion cysts are been venom, coconut kefir, and the book method. The book method involves taking a very heavy book and smashing the cyst yourself; feel free to read user testimonials to learn more. Let us know what you try from Earth Clinic to treat your ganglion cysts. If you know of a remedy that's not yet listed here, feel free to share it with us.
|The Book Method||5|
|Pierce With a Needle||4|
|Hit the Cyst With a Book||3|
1 1 User Ratings
[NAY] My former post that a bee sting directly into the cyst rendered it smoother and half the size was short lived. It came back the same size as before.
I may try several more stings or take the advice of another writer and aspirate it with a sterile 12 gauge needle.
Replied by P92868
Replied by Tonimario
Abuja, Enugu Nigeria
[YEA] I had a ganglion cyst on my left wrist that started to get larger. It didn't hurt. We keep bees and my husband captures a bee and puts it on my knee to give me a direct sting for my knee problems.
I thought, "why not get a sting directly into the ganglion cyst?" He did and now half the size and very smooth. I'll try another sting and hope it will be gone completely.
1 0 User Ratings
[YEA] I made my first coconut kefir last week. I took 2 tsp a day and in 1 week my ganglion cyst I had for years is GONE!!!
EC: Kefir grains are needed to make coconut kefir, but once obtained, we found an easy recipe here: http://www.foodbuzz.com/recipes/1295161-how-to-make-coconut-kefir
Replied by Sndwave
Fort Walton Beach, Fl
1 0 User Ratings
[YEA] Dorsal ganglion cyst on wrist: Yes indeed, a pinch of Epsom Salts in water or juice twice a day for around a week reduced the very large, hard ganglion I have had for nearly a year to a small smooth bump which is hardly noticeable. I shall continue and see if there is a total reduction, but already I am surprised and delighted.
Replied by Nancy
8 1 User Ratings
[YEA] I had ganglion on my feet for 3 years which sometimes was painfull. Two doctors said I should remove it with surgery. I read in Earth Clinic about frankincense oil, so I used it. In the morning and before sleep I put some frankincense oil and massage smoothly. It seemed to become smaller after two days. At the 10th day I decided to massage it a little harder. And that time I heard the noise of the cyst cracking! And it's gone! That was two weeks ago.
Replied by Rosie
[YEA] Three days of applying Frankincence oil and wrapping with a sports tape on my finger and it has worked--my ganglion cyst is about half the size and no longer painful. I'll continue to use it to bring the size down but am thrilled to be pain free after four months. Thank you to those who posted about their experiences--the solution was only ten dollars and worked so quickly!!
Replied by Jack
[YEA] i tried this after reading all the home remedies for ganglion cysts and this seemed less of an effort on my part. Just with 2 applications - one at night and one in the morning, it's gone!!! Thanks guys for the tips :)
Replied by Ayala
[YEA] I really did NOT expect Frankincense Oil to work on the Ganglion Cyst on my left wrist. Just seemed too EASY. However I had some I had bought several years ago and was averse to either the book slam method or bee sting so I decided to give it a try. Why not? I put some Frankincense Oil on my wrist two different days then decided to actually MASSAGE it in which felt weird, but then two days after that I was surprised that it had diminished in size to be almost impossible to see! I don't even feel the need to continue treatment it has reduced in size so much. THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR HONEST EXPERIENCES AND INFORMATION!
[YEA] After reading about frankincense for ganglion cyst here, I tried it, and honestly, it was kind of miraculous. After a single day of applying oil (only once) and covering with a bandaid, the cyst on my index finger knuckle (which had been red, sore, and irritated -- about the size of half of a small pea) was a third its usual size. I'd had the cyst for over six months, and was about to go attempt a removal. Now, a week later, it's barely raised at all and there is no pain or irritation (even if I bump it, which was excruciating before the frankincense). Thank you!
Replied by Tu
[YEA] I just wanted to let people know that having watched my wrist ganglion grow for over 6 months to the size of a walnut, I found this site and saw several remedies suggested for ganglions. I went for the easiest option - I rubbed Frankincense essential oil on it morrning and night and was gobsmacked when I realised, it wasn't my imagination but that the thing was shrinking. It took 6 weeks in all, and I am now able to practice my yoga again. Thank you all for your amazing input into this site. It is sorely needed.
Replied by Trish
[YEA] I had a very painful ganglion cyst on the palm of my hand. Before resorting to surgery, I tried this remedy. I put 2 drops of Frankincense oil on a bandaid and covered the cyst. Every 48 hours I changed the bandage. It stunk, the cat hated me petting her, but it worked. Each bandaid change yielded less pain and a reduced cyst. After approximately 2 weeks, I can't tell it was ever there. I am going to try the same thing on a sebaceous cyst on my head that I have had for years. Makes me wonder if there was a specific reason our saviour was given a gift of frankencense. Also, gives new meaning to "He annointeth my head with oil... " Thank you Yah for providing all that is necessary for our health and healing.
Replied by Lily
[YEA] My 16 year old son had a ganglion cyst on his wrist that was painful. He put frankincense essential oil on it (undiluted) and overnight his pain had improved. Because he was no longer bothered by it, he didn't keep at it, so it is still there, but reduced in size. Another time it bothered him again and the same remedy worked for him. Frankincense essential oil is expensive, but useful for many things and worth having a bottle around. And it is cheaper than the doctor for sure!
Replied by Fora
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Hit the Cyst With a Book
3 0 User Ratings
[YEA] I had a ganglion cyst on top of my wrist for 2 years. I tried having a Doc aspirate, I tried oregano oil with thyme for month, I tried Frankincense oil for month and nothing. If your cyst is large and firm instead of squishy you might need something stronger. Using the binding of a hard book worked for me. Start of with a light tap and then gradually increase the amount of force. I tried using full force only and it didn't work. Not only will it prepare you for the final blow but you will notice your cyst soften, and this means it's ready for the hard hit. Maybe it weakens the sack so it can pop not sure, but either way it spares you the amount of hard hits you will need (I took about 5) and totally worth it.
[YEA] I am a 31 year old woman. I got my first ganglion cyst on the inside of my wrist 5 years ago. Dr. said it was barbaric to hit it with a book, so I went and got xrays, went to a hand surgeon, then had the surgery. Dr. didn't tell me, but my hand was in a cast for 2 weeks and it took 6 weeks for the stitches to heal and to lift more than 5-10 pounds.
2 months later the cyst came back in the exact same place. I went back to see the Dr. and they said it is very common for the cyst to come back. (Why not say that before surgery). I got xrays again and an MRI this time to see what area was causing the cyst to reappear. Dr. recommended another surgery (each surgery leaves scar tissue).
I came home and googled home remedies and got this website. First I saw he frankincense oil and the Epsom salt water. Some people said it took from 3 days-2 months for it to work. After reading, I saw the 'hit it with a book', so I thought why not, it is 5 in the morning, what else should I be doing. lol. I tried a couple times, but chickened out.
Then I though to take the book and hit the hand that did not have a cyst on it to get the force right and see how it felt. Once I did that a couple times, I felt more comfortable and hit the cyst. It instantly started going down. I massaged it for awhile to get more to go down, then I put ice on it for 15 minutes.
What could have been another surgery and more Dr. visits and time and money...disappeared in 2 minutes. It really didn't hurt, more just the thought of hitting yourself makes your stomach turn. It did not hurt at all afterwards and after 12 hours there was no bruise or pain. Also my hand was numb up my forearm from the cyst pressing on a nerve. As soon as I did this all feeling came back. Good Luck
Replied by Geri
Replied by Sarah
1 0 User Ratings
[YEA] Liquid sulfur, prescribed by my naturopathic doctor for my ganglion, relieved the swelling, redness and pain in less than three days.
Replied by Joyce