Updated: 08/20/2019

Ganglion cysts are often small round lumps or sacs filled with fluid. They appear in a joint or in the wrists, fingers, hands, soles of the feet, or ankles ^[1]. Complications of a ganglion cyst may include carpal tunnel syndrome. People suffering from ganglion cysts may experience pain and discomfort; therefore, they try so hard to look for possible treatments. Ganglion cysts can be treated with a surgical procedure called excision. Some other treatment options include splinting the affected joint, watchful waiting, or needle aspiration. Besides medical treatments for ganglion cysts, you can try different home remedies and natural treatments for a ganglion cyst to fasten the healing process. In this article, we are going to introduce to you amazing ways on how to treat a ganglion cyst at home.

• Natural home remedies for carpal tunnel pain
• 25 Effective home remedies for joint pain relief

The Causes And Common Symptoms Of Ganglion Cysts

A ganglion cyst is a swelling or tumor on the top of a joint or over the tendon. It appears as a sac or lump of fluid. A ganglion cyst is filled with a sticky, thick, colorless, clear, and jelly-like material. The size of the ganglion cyst may vary from pea-sized to an inch in diameter; therefore, the cysts may be spongy or firm. Women, especially at the age of 20 to 40, are the most susceptible to this ailment. Rarely, ganglion cysts may be seen in children younger than 10 years old.

The causes of ganglion cysts still remain unknown. They may be the trauma related to the breakdown of the joint tissue, tendon sheath, and even a flaw in the joint capsule.

Sufferers from ganglion cysts may experience symptoms such as tingling sensations, discomfort, numbness, dysesthesia, and pain. Especially when the cysts appear over the tendon, it may cause a weakness in the affected fingers.

When you have those symptoms and signs of a ganglion cyst, you should make an appointment with your doctor. Depending on your specific situation, the doctor may recommend the best treatment for you. You do not need emergency treatment unless a ganglion cyst is caused by significant trauma.

19 Ways On How To Treat A Ganglion Cyst Naturally

1. Warm Compresses

If you feel the pain caused by a ganglion cyst, you should try warm compresses to find significant relief. Furthermore, warm compresses are effective in increasing blood circulation and promoting fluid drainage. As a result, it relieves swelling and pain ^[2] related to ganglion cysts. Warm compresses also inhibit the growth of a ganglion cyst.

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Directions:

• Let a washcloth soak in warm water.
• Wring out to remove the extra water from the washcloth.
• Hold this washcloth over the affected areas for about 10 minutes.
• Repeat this treatment 3 or 4 times daily to make the ganglion cysts disappear soon

2. Frankincense Oil

Frankincense oil is one of the best ways on how to treat a ganglion cyst. The oil has analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects ^[3] that help ease pain and boost the healing of the cyst. It not only reduces the pain but also shrinks the size of a ganglion cyst and prevents it from recurring.

Directions:

• Apply 2 drops of frankincense oil to a ganglion cyst.
• Cover the affected areas with a clean, soft bandage.
• Repeat this treatment daily for a few weeks to prevent it from recurring.

3. Black Tea Bags

Black tea bags contain acidic properties and anti-inflammatory effects ^[4]. Applying black tea bags to the affected areas may relieve swelling and pain.

Directions:

• Soak black tea bags in warm water for about 5 minutes.
• Remove the excess water from the black tea bags.
• Put the black tea bags over the affected areas and hold them for about 10 minutes.
• Do this treatment daily for a couple of days.

4. Ginger

Ginger is well-known for its ability to reduce the discomfort and unbearable pain because it contains the anti-inflammatory properties ^[5], ^[6]. To treat a ganglion cyst and prevent it from recurring, you can drink ginger tea or take ginger supplements.

Here is the instruction on how to make ginger tea at home.

• Cut ginger root into small thin slices.
• Put these ginger slices in a cup of water.
• Let it simmer for about 10 minutes.
• Rinse it off with lukewarm water.

You should drink at least 2 or 3 cups of ginger tea daily to get a satisfactory result. It is alright if you want to take ginger supplements. However, you need to consult your doctor carefully before taking supplements.

5. Turmeric

Turmeric can help reduce the pain and inflammation caused by a ganglion cyst. It is because of curcumin present in turmeric ^[7], ^[8]. According to a 2009 study, curcumin in turmeric has anti-inflammatory effects by regulating redox status, cytokines, protein kinases, enzymes, adhesion molecules, and many transcription factors linked to inflammation ^[9]. This spice can also treat and prevent arthritis symptoms, Alzheimer’s disease, and uveitis. Furthermore, it also reduces high cholesterol and boosts your immune system. Thus, turmeric is considered as one of the amazing natural remedies for a ganglion cyst.

Method 1:

• Spread a sufficient amount of turmeric over the affected areas.
• Leave it for a few minutes.
• Rinse it off with lukewarm water.
• Repeat this treatment a few times daily for a couple of days.

Method 2:

Alternatively, you can drink turmeric tea to get relief from pain.  Here is the instruction to make turmeric tea:

• Put 2 teaspoons of turmeric into 3 or 4 cups of water.
• Boil it and allow it to simmer for a couple of minutes.
• Strain the tea.
• Add squeezed lemon, honey, milk or orange juice to taste it.
• Drink it daily.

You can also take turmeric supplements. But you need to consult your doctor before applying anything to your skin.

6. Aloe Vera

Talking about natural ways on how to get rid of a ganglion cyst, you should not ignore aloe vera. Aloe vera contains anti-inflammatory properties; therefore, it is effective in reducing swelling and pain ^[10]. Using aloe vera regularly can fasten the healing process for a ganglion cyst ^[11].

Directions:

• Cut an aloe vera leaf and then extract aloe vera gel.
• Spread it over your affected areas.
• Let it sit on the affected areas for about 20 minutes.
• Wash it off with lukewarm water.
• Repeat this treatment daily for a couple of days.

7. Epsom Salt

Epsom salt contains the wound-healing properties; therefore, it can help heal a ganglion cyst within a few days. The immunomodulatory nature of magnesium present in Epsom salt may help reduce inflammatory cytokine production in the body ^[12].

Method 1:

• Add 1 or 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt to 2 cups of water.
• Soak a cloth in this solution and apply it to the affected skin areas.
• Hold it for about 20 to 30 minutes.
• Do this treatment once daily for a few days

Method 2:

• Mix 1/3 cup of warm glycerin, ½ teaspoon of Epsom salt, and 1/8 teaspoon of borax in a bowl
• Mix all these ingredients together.
• Soak a cotton swab in this solution and apply it to a ganglion cyst on your skin.
• Hold a bandage over the affected areas.
• Repeat this treatment daily for several days.

8. Castor Oil

Castor oil can be used as an effective remedy on how to treat a ganglion cyst. The ricinoleic acid in castor oil shows an anti-inflammatory property that may be used to soothe the swelling and inflammation in the affected area ^[13]. You need to spread a few drops of castor oil over the affected areas and then massage it for a few minutes. Using castor oil regularly can help eliminate ganglion cysts effectively.

9. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a powerful remedy that can treat millions of diseases. It contains anti-inflammatory properties ^[14]; and hence, it may treat swelling, inflammation, and pain caused by a ganglion cyst.

Here is the instruction:

• Mix apple cider vinegar with baking soda to create a paste.
• Add some water to this paste.
• Dip a clean cloth into the mixture.
• Apply it to the affected skin areas for a few minutes
• Remove it.
• Do this treatment daily. If you want to have the best result, you should repeat it for at least one month.

10. Red Desert Clay

Red desert clay is effective in removing harmful chemicals and toxins from your body. Furthermore, it is loaded with essential minerals that help build your bone and shrink the ganglion cyst size ^[15].

Here is the instruction:

• Apply one teaspoon of red desert clay to the affected skin areas.
• Keep it for a few minutes.
• Rinse it off with lukewarm water.
• Repeat this treatment twice daily to get the best result

To fasten the healing process, you can take 5 or 6 red desert clay tablets daily after consulting your doctor carefully.

Note: Red desert clay may cause constipation in some people. To prevent constipation, you should take 1 to 3 teaspoons of magnesium powder daily.

11. Grapefruit Seed Extract

Grapefruit seed extract provides you with a lot of health and beauty benefits. It works as one of the amazing methods on how to treat a ganglion cyst. Grapefruit seed extract contains antimicrobial properties ^[16] that are very effective in removing a ganglion cyst.

Directions:

• Apply one drop of grapefruit seed extract to your ganglion cyst.
• Use gauze or band to cover it until the grapefruit seed extract absorbs into your skin completely.
• Repeat this treatment daily to get the best results.

12. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil contains antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties ^[17] that may decrease inflammation and the accumulation of fluid in the cyst. Plus, it can treat not only pilonidal cysts but also sebaceous cysts.

Directions:

• Mix 2 drops of tea tree oil with some coconut oil.
• Apply this mixture to your ganglion cyst.
• Use a band to cover it.
• Repeat this treatment daily until a ganglion cyst is treated completely.

13. Lemongrass Essential Oil

Lemongrass essential oil is a well-known remedy for muscle pain and poor circulation. Thanks to pain-relieving effects ^[18], lemongrass essential oil is effective in relieving pain caused by a ganglion cyst.

Directions:

• Apply a sufficient amount of lemongrass essential oil to a ganglion cyst.
• Keep it for a few hours.
• Repeat this treatment daily to get a satisfactory result.

14. Thyme Essential Oil

Thyme essential oil is extracted from the leaves of the herb thyme. Thyme oil contains soothing and anti-inflammatory effects ^[19]; and hence, regular application to the affected skin areas may help reduce the pain caused by a ganglion cyst.

Directions

• Apply a sufficient amount of thyme essential oil to a ganglion cyst.
• Keep it for a few hours.
• Repeat this procedure daily to get the best results.

15. Cypress Essential Oil

Cypress essential oil is often used for treating poor circulation. It contains anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and diuretic properties ^[20]. Cypress essential oil is effective in alleviating pain and removing fluid in a ganglion cyst.

Directions:

• Apply some cypress essential oil to the affected skin area.
• Let it sit for a couple of hours.
• Do this treatment daily for a few weeks until a ganglion cyst disappears completely.

16. Oregano Oil

If you are looking for the best ways on how to treat a ganglion cyst, you should not ignore oregano oil. It has anti-tumor properties ^[21] that can help eliminate a ganglion cyst.

Directions:

• Mix some oregano oil with frankincense oil.
• Make this oil mixture hot by putting it in the microwave.
• Apply it to your skin.
• Keep it for a few hours.
• Repeat this procedure daily.

Note: Make sure that you dilute oregano oil before using it topically. This is because applying oregano oil directly to your skin may result in burning sensation.

17. Echinacea

Echinacea helps shrink a ganglion cyst by increasing the level of the properdin chemical in your body and boosting your immune system ^[22], ^[23]. Furthermore, the use of Echinacea may help stimulate the production of properdin.

If you are interested in Echinacea, you should follow this instruction:

• Apply over the counter Echinacea ointment topically to the cyst.
• Repeat this treatment 3 or 4 times a day if you want to treat a ganglion cyst successfully.
• Alternatively, you can drink Echinacea tea once or twice a day for at least a week to get a significant improvement.

Note: People with an autoimmune disorder cannot take Echinacea internally.

18. Arnica

Arnica contains anti-inflammatory properties; therefore, it is not surprising when arnica is considered as a powerful herb for health and beauty. People often use this herb for treating swelling, pain, and inflammation. The results from one study confirm that arnica isn't inferior to ibuprofen when relieving osteoarthritis ^[24]. Arnica is one of the natural ways on how to treat a ganglion cyst because it can increase blood circulation.

Directions:

• Mix arnica essential oil with a sufficient amount of coconut oil or olive oil.
• Apply it to the affected areas.
• Massage it gently for a few minutes.
• Keep a bandage on the affected area.
• Repeat this treatment 2 or 3 times daily for a few days.

Note: Test arnica on your wrist before trying it on your larger areas. Arnica may cause irritation and itchiness in some people.

19. Witch Hazel

There are many benefits of witch hazel for skin care ^[26]. The tannins present in witch hazel has astringent properties ^[27], which may help tighten your skin and limit the secretion of oil, causing a ganglion cyst. Furthermore, not only the leaves but also the bark of witch hazel contains therapeutic properties that can treat a ganglion cyst.

Directions:

• Apply 1 or 2 drops of witch hazel to a ganglion cyst.
• Let it sit for a couple of hours.
• Reapply this treatment daily to get the best results

Extra Tips

Apart from the above home remedies, you also need to follow some simple tips below to attain optimum results:

• Never press a needle or any pointed stuff over the cyst by you.
• Never use a heavy object to hit the ganglion cyst because it may destroy the tissues inside.
• Never rub the affected areas hard because it may result in severe infection.
• Wear the special shoes for ganglion sufferers if you have a ganglion cyst on your feet.
• Consult your doctor carefully before using any of the remedies for a ganglion cyst.

These tips may seem very basic, but when it comes to treating a ganglion cyst, they may help a great deal.

We hope that you can find this article useful and informative. If you know other effective ways on how to treat a ganglion cyst, please tell us in the comments box below.