Seeing the words "Ovarian Cyst" on a medical report can make one's heart skip a beat. No pain doesn't mean no danger – sudden abdominal pain could signal a crisis! Dr. Que Poh Yuen Albert, a TCM Gynecology Expert at Gong Fang Tang TCM in Singapore, states that the incidence of ovarian cysts is rising yearly, affecting 1 in 5 women aged 20-50! This condition is most afraid of one specific Chinese herb, and using it heavily can skillfully dissolve cysts!
How are ovarian cysts caused?
Physician Dr. Que Poh Yuen Albert points out that ovarian cysts are essentially phlegm and blood stasis congealing in the uterus (Bao Gong). Their formation is closely related to the dysfunction of internal organs:
Liver Qi Stagnation (Key Trigger):
High stress, emotional depression → Liver Qi stagnation → Disrupted Qi and blood flow → Internal generation of blood stasis.
Spleen Deficiency with Phlegm-Dampness (Material Basis):
Craving cold drinks, overeating → Damages Spleen and Stomach → Water-dampness stagnates and forms phlegm → Turbid phlegm flows down into the uterine vessels.
Typical Tongue: Swollen tongue body, obvious teeth marks, white greasy coating.
Kidney Yang Deficiency (Lack of Motive Force):
Congenital weakness / Staying up late, overwork → Kidney Yang depletion → Water-dampness fails to transform → Cold-phlegm congeals.
High-Risk Group: Those with cold hands/feet, sore/weak lower back and knees, frequent nighttime urination.
Blood Stasis Obstructing Collaterals (Key to Progression):
History of miscarriage, pelvic inflammatory disease, dysmenorrhea → Stasis obstructs uterine vessels → Blood stasis and phlegm-dampness bind together.
Warning Signs: Dark purple menstrual blood with clots, sublingual varicose veins.
Chong and Ren Meridians Dysregulation (Endocrine Imbalance):
Abnormal hormone levels → Stimulates abnormal epithelial proliferation on ovaries → Forms physiological cysts.
Note: Most of these cysts can resolve spontaneously; regular follow-up is needed.
What are the symptoms of ovarian cysts?
Silent Stage: Mostly asymptomatic, only discovered during check-ups.
Pressure Symptoms: Lower abdominal distension/pressure, frequent urination, constipation (cyst >5cm).
Acute Abdominal Pain: Severe pain with vomiting if the cyst twists (torsion) or ruptures.
Menstrual Abnormalities: Prolonged periods, prolonged spotting, dark menstrual blood.
Fertility Issues: Long-term infertility, recurrent miscarriages (cyst affects ovulation).
Physical Signs: Palpable mass in lower abdomen, pain during intercourse.
What to do about ovarian cysts?
Gong Fang Tang TCM's Dr. Que Poh Yuen Albert uses one herb heavily to resolve them! How does TCM treat ovarian cysts?
Facing ovarian cysts, Physician Qiu is skilled in using the method of "simultaneously addressing phlegm and blood stasis", forming an assault formation with Prunella (Xia Ku Cao) as the Monarch herb:
Synergistic Combination Strategy:
Blood Stasis-Breaking Assault Unit: Curcuma (E Zhu) + Sparganium (San Leng) → Break stubborn blood stasis.
Phlegm-Resolving & Dampness-Draining Unit: Fritillaria thunbergii (Zhe Bei Mu) + Poria (Fu Ling) → Dissolve the phlegm-dampness foundation.
Liver-Soothing & Qi-Regulating Unit: Bupleurum (Chai Hu) + Cyperus (Xiang Fu) → Cut off the source of stasis generation.
Kidney-Tonifying & Root-Stabilizing Unit: Cuscuta (Tu Si Zi) + Ligustrum (Nv Zhen Zi) → Regulate the endocrine axis.
Ingenious Modifications:
Cyst <4cm: Heavy dose of Prunella (Xia Ku Cao) up to 30g.
Hard cysts: Add Oyster Shell (Mu Li), Turtle Shell (Bie Jia).
Severe dysmenorrhea: Add Corydalis (Yan Hu Suo), Trogopterus Dung (Wu Ling Zhi).
Cold intolerance, Kidney deficiency: Add Degelatinated Deer Antler (Lu Jiao Shuang), Epimedium (Yin Yang Huo).
Medical Case
Patient: Ms. Liu, 29 years old.
Chief Complaint: Trying to conceive for 1 year without success. Physical exam revealed a 4.5cm cyst on the right ovary; refused surgery.
First Visit: Menstrual pain requiring painkillers, dark menstrual blood with clots, distending pain in chest and flanks, purplish tongue with petechiae on the edges.
TCM Pattern Differentiation: Liver depression, blood stasis, mixed with phlegm-dampness.
Treatment Plan:
Formula (Prunella as Monarch): Prunella (Xia Ku Cao) 30g (assault masses, dissipate nodules), Curcuma (E Zhu) 12g + Sparganium (San Leng) 10g (break blood stasis, dissipate masses), Fritillaria thunbergii (Zhe Bei Mu) 15g + Poria (Fu Ling) 20g (transform phlegm, drain dampness), Bupleurum (Chai Hu) 10g + Cyperus (Xiang Fu) 12g (soothe liver, regulate Qi), Cuscuta (Tu Si Zi) 15g (tonify Kidney, regulate Chong and Ren).
Result: After taking 28 doses: Menstrual pain reduced by 70%, clots decreased. Follow-up ultrasound showed cyst shrank to 2.1cm x 1.8cm. Consolidation treatment for 2 months: cyst completely disappeared. Successfully conceived 3 months later!
