Loading...Q. Do you have any information on natural treatments for a sore ganglion cyst on the wrist? I have been using a wrap-around brace on my wrist and would prefer to handle this without medication or surgery.
A. A ganglion cyst is a fluid-filled sac that forms on joints such as the wrist, ankles, feet or fingers. If the sac presses on a nerve, it may be painful. Such cysts often disappear on their own, so “watch and wait” is the first choice for treatment. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons also recommends wearing a brace to immobilize the joint. If the cyst is persistent and painful it should be checked by a doctor who may opt to puncture and drain it.
We did hear about an unusual treatment for ganglion cysts from a young woman who applied frankincense oil to hers. It disappeared.
Another reader tried this: “I had cysts on my knees that made it excruciating to kneel. Frankincense oil on them twice a day cleared them up in only four days. I would never have believed this could work so quickly!”
Frankincense is resin from Boswellia trees. Boswellia extract has anti-inflammatory activity.
Theresa
Washington
My dog had a ganglia cyst on her tail. My vet said we could do surgery but thought I should try Frankincense first… I applied several times a day, and after about a month…. gone. Nothing seemed to happen the first several weeks, but I kept it up, then a very rapid disappearance !
lainie
NYC
My nutritionist said stop all these wild concoctions and just apply apple cider vinegar with a Q-Tip. After 3 days it is 1/2 the size!
Jas
My cat has had a cyst on her spine since she was little. I have been applying coconut oil and frankincense along her spine and her cyst has shrunk incredibly with only two applications. I have a cyst on my cheek bone and I am definitely going to try to see if this method works. I honestly think that a person should inject the cyst with frankincense oil for penetration or remove it asap if bothersome.
KL
Nevada
I have a ganglion on my wrist.. went to a hand specialist and was told (unfortunately) that the roots seem to be surrounding an artery as well as sitting on a tendon.. It is extremely painful, so I got the cortisone shot, and it helped for about a month, then the pain came back. I asked my dr for another shot… He said no… either aspirate or surgery.. The surgery had a LOT of risk, so I decided on nothing.. However, the pain is crazy.. pressure on the tendon has now progressed to shoulder pain.. so I tried 100% pure frankincense.. been using it for 2 weeks and NO results…. I put the oil on, massage for a bit and the cyst will shrink for a few hours, but then returns… I’m temped to try the book …..
Kara
Mesa, AZ
I had a cyst on the inside of my left wrist that had gotten rather large. It was particularly worrisome because I had pain
in the lower joint of my ring finger. The other fingers on my hand were also starting to hurt and I was beginning to believe I was going to need surgery.
I bought some Frankincense oil. The small, bottle was a bit pricy at $75, but I spent it — it’s my hand after all…
I applied the oil to the cyst and joint area, 3 times per day and massaged it for a week. Tonight I noticed it looked smaller and it was definitely softer when I pressed on it. I watched with amazement as it almost completely disappeared as I rubbed it just a few minutes ago, which is why I’m posting here.
The soreness in my finger is still there, but has diminished greatly as well. I’m reposting this wherever I can.
marian
I had my ganglion cyst aspirated 2 years ago, then it came back like 6 months after. I had it surgically removed in feb of this year and yes it returned where i am still paying my medical bill. I read this website and heard about frankincense oil and tried it from oct and yes my cyst has shrunk , i didn’t believe this would have worked for me but indeed it did.
Chris
UK
I used a few drops of frankincense oil in some sunflower oil and rubbed it on a ganglion on my wrist a couple of times as day. Within 3-4 days it had shrunk to almost nothing. Have to say I was pretty surprised as I didn’t expect it to work and only tried it as an almost last resort.
Jennifer
I tried the oil. It didn’t work. I’m not sure why I thought it would. Desperation, I guess. It actually makes no sense when you think about it. The oil might help with inflammation and pain, but I doubt it could actually get rid of a cyst.
lenny
Did the oil work? I have a cyst in my wrist also; need to
get rid of it.
MS
Hello
Did the frankincense oil work?
Lyn M.
I bought frankincense for my rather large cyst on my wrist. Today will start a twice a day treatment. Hand surgeon said “come back in 3 months and I doubt that it will get larger” well, has grown larger after 40 days so will not trust hand Dr. will start treatment today of frankincense/olive oil. side note: my puppy LOVES the smell of the frankincense…hope it works.
Carl Y.
I too am suffering from a cyst and am intrigued with the frankincense oil. Where do you find such a product??? Thanks, Carl and Dallas
PEOPLE’S PHARMACY RESPONSE: CHECK A HEALTH FOOD STORE.
VP
Would like to try frankincense of for my cyst. But how much, and what proportion of oil to it before applying it? Also, where do I buy it?
Appreciate your help.
P.S. As a last resort, used the bar of soap procedure for my very painful leg cramps–a side effect of Forteo (medication for my osteoporosis). It worked after two nights. And I don’t believe in this type of treatment!
Elyse
I also have a ganglion cyst on my wrist, and went to a hand specialist/surgeon to find out my options for taking care of it. The doctor gave me three options: aspirate, or drain, it with a syringe ; surgical removal which can lead to stiffness and possibly physical therapy; and rupturing it. The latter option is the all natural do-it-yourself method which involves whacking the cyst with a hardback book. Ganglion cysts are often called ‘bible cysts’ because, although it sounds barbaric and painful, smashing the cyst destroys the sack and gives around a 10% chance of recurrence, the same as surgery. Removing the fluid with a syringe leaves the sack, giving a 50% chance of recurrence.
The hand specialist that I saw recomended that I ignore or rupture the cyst in my wrist. Since it had started to press on the nerves in my wrist, I decided to take action and get rid of it. My boyfriend whacked it with a hardback book, but to my dismay (and discomfort) the cyst was still there, just smaller. My mother also has had ganglion cysts and did successfully smashed hers (she slipped on ice one time and a friend whacked another one).
I did ask the doctor whether this method would cause nerve damage or any lasting damage, and he said it is very unlikely. The pain from whacking the wrist feels like a sprain and should be treated as one, alternating hot and cold. I also wrapped it an ACE bandage for a few days, until the pain resided.
Frankincense sounds like a much nicer alternative that I’m going to try out!
PEOPLE’S PHARMACY RESPONSE:
Be sure to dilute the frankincense oil with something neutral like almond or olive oil.