Alternative Methods to Treat Fibroids

According to the Mayo Clinic, fibroids are benign growths that appear in your uterus during your childbearing years. Some fibroids cause no symptoms, while others can cause pelvic pressure or pain. If you prefer not to take medication, alternative treatments may relieve uncomfortable symptoms.

Supporting the Liver

• If the liver is not functioning well, estrogen stays in your system too long and may result in a fibroid. Liver-supporting herbs such as lemon juice, dandelion root, turmeric and burdock should be incorporated into your daily diet.

  Sprinkle dandelion leaves in a pumpkin soup or enjoy in an egg salad sandwich. Tasty dandelion syrup can be poured over your favorite pancakes. To make a delicious Indian-inspired rub for tofu or chicken breast, combine turmeric with curry, cumin, coriander, mint and ginger. Add burdock root to rice pilaf or pile it up with other vegetables when you make a pot roast.

Hydrotherapy

• Hydrotherapy uses hot and cold water, ice and steam to stimulate circulation, relieve muscle tension and ease the pain of fibroids. Sitting in a soothing sitz bath relieves congestion in your abdominal organs while increasing your circulation and lymphatic flow in the pelvic region. To relieve the pain of fibroids, use a sitz bath at least every other day.

Sitz Bath Instructions

• Buy a commercial sitz bath or two plastic tubs that will comfortably hold your buttocks. Your circulation is stimulated by the combination of hot and cold water on your pelvic region, so fill the tubs only to your navel.

  One tub should be filled with water as hot as you can stand it, and the other tub will be filled with cold water. Tubs can be filled about halfway up or less. Hot water should be between 105 and 110 degrees. Ice cubes may need to be added to the cold water to bring water temperature down to between 55 and 65 degrees. Mix seven drops of essential ginger oil into the hot water.

  Lower your buttocks slowly into the hot tub, making sure that water covers your pelvic region. The water might seem too hot at first, but stay in the hot tub for three minutes, followed immediately by one minute in the cold tub. Alternate between tubs three times, finishing in the cold tub. Rub your body briskly with a towel, and as you're resting, focus your mind on the healing energy flow circulating through your pelvic region.

Ginger Compresses

• Use ginger compresses at least every other day for painful fibroids. Grate about a handful of fresh ginger root, and center it on a piece of cheesecloth. Twist cheesecloth into a ball, and secure it with a piece of string. Fill a large cooking pot with a gallon of water, squeeze ginger juice in, and drop the ball of ginger into the pot. Put a lid on the pot and heat the water, but don't boil it.

  When water is heated, fold a cotton hand towel in half lengthwise to make a compress. Dip the towel into the hot water, but keep the ends dry so you don't burn your fingers. Wring excess water out of the compress and place over your abdomen. To retain the heat, cover the compress with a thick towel. When the hot towel cools, replace with a new hot compress. Continue placing the hot compresses until your skin turns a bright red color, which usually happens in about 15 to 20 minutes.