Ovarian Cysts

Why it works: Mechanistically, EPA/DHA omega-3s can lower triglycerides, modulate eicosanoids, and reduce inflammatory signaling. Those properties can improve cardiometabolic factors in PCOS (a...

Instructions: Food first. • Eat 1–2 seafood servings/week emphasizing lower-mercury, higher-EPA/DHA fish (e.g., salmon, sardines, trout). This is what cardiology and dietary guidance recommend f...

Warnings: Atrial fibrillation risk at higher doses: Large cardiovascular trials using ~4 g/day omega-3s report...

Studies: PCOS (metabolic endpoints, not cyst resolution)Systematic re...

Why it works: Mechanism: Extracts of Vitex act (at least partly) as dopamine D₂-receptor agonists, which can lower prolactin. Lower prolactin can normalize luteal-phase progesterone and improve...

Instructions: If you and your clinician decide to try Vitex as an adjunct (not a replacement for medical care), typical evidence-based usage looks like:. • Form & dose: Most clinical trials used...

Warnings: Pregnancy & lactation: Avoid—safety is not established, and hormonal effects are plausible. Most aut...

Studies: Strongest evidence for Vitex: Relief of PMS and mastalgia an...

Why it works: Antioxidant/anti-inflammatory rationale. Silymarin has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in general, and in animal models it’s shown ovary-protective effects after ischemia...

Instructions: There is no established, evidence-based regimen for ovarian cysts. If someone elects to use milk thistle anyway (e.g., as a short trial adjunct for PCOS-related concerns), common r...

Warnings: Evidence uncertainty: The U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) stat...

Studies: Small human trial in PCOS + IVF (adjunct): 40 women with PCO...

Why it works: Mechanistic ideas (theories):. • Licorice contains glycyrrhizin/glycyrrhetinic acid, flavonoids (e.g., isoliquiritigenin, glabridin) and other compounds that can affect steroid met...

Instructions: Because there are no validated protocols for licorice as a treatment for ovarian cysts, there are no evidence-based dosing instructions I can responsibly recommend for this purpose...

Warnings: Blood pressure & electrolytes: Licorice (glycyrrhizin) can raise blood pressure, lower potassium, an...

Studies: No trials showing licorice clears ovarian cysts. (Negative e...

Why it works: TCM pattern: The classic indication is gynecologic “masses from Blood stasis” (fixed lower-abdominal masses/pain, dysmenorrhea). The five-herb formula—Cinnamomi Ramulus (Gui Zhi),...

Instructions: Because products and traditions differ, dosing is typically taken from regulated Kampo labeling (Japan) or a licensed TCM practitioner’s prescription:. • Who it’s for (pattern matc...

Warnings: Pregnancy: Do not use if pregnant or possibly pregnant. The official Keishibukuryogan insert warns t...

Studies: Endometriosis (cystic endometriomas are common in endometrio...

Why it works: Stress–HPA axis & mood regulation. JWXYS/Xiao Yao–family formulas show anxiolytic effects and HPA-axis modulation, which can indirectly normalize menstrual dysfunction driven by st...

Instructions: Form & dose (Kampo/Japanese labeling for Kamishoyosan = JWXYS):. • Typical adult dose: 7.5 g/day of extract granules in 2–3 divided doses, before or between meals. Dose may be adju...

Warnings: Licorice-related risks: Pseudoaldosteronism (hypertension, edema, low potassium, myopathy). Risk inc...

Studies: For ovarian cysts specifically: I could not find randomized...

Why it works: Neuro-endocrine modulation. In pharmacology and cell studies cited in the TJ-23 package insert, Toki-shakuyaku-san increased estradiol and progesterone secretion from granulosa cel...

Instructions: Standardized extract (Kampo, Japan). Adult usual dose for TJ-23 is 7.5 g/day extract granules by mouth in 2–3 divided doses before or between meals (adjust per age/weight/symptoms)...

Warnings: Pregnancy & lactation: Safety in pregnancy is not established in modern labeling; the TJ-23 insert a...

Studies: Direct evidence for ovarian cysts is limited but emerging; m...