Natural Approaches to Fibroid Treatment: Diet & Herbal Therapies

Uterine fibroids affect three out of four women, although most are unaware of it due to lack of symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic. Uterine fibroids usually don't cause serious medical problems but you may be able to treat them with diet and herbal therapy.

Function

• The cause of fibroids is not known by the medical community, but they can cause heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain and constipation.

Diet

• A study published in the Journal of Gynecological Endoscopy and Surgery in 2009 by Trivedi Prakash and Abreo Mohini found that eating red meat was associated with an increased risk of developing fibroids. Eating a vegetarian diet would be part of a naturopathic approach to fighting fibroids.

Skullcap

• A study published in International Immunopharmacology in September 2003 by Tae-Kyun Lee and a team of Korean researchers found that the herb Scutellaria barbata, or Chinese skullcap, was able to inhibit the growth of fibroid cells.

Hibiscus

• In the above mentioned study on red meat and fibroids, high blood pressure was also identified as a predisposing risk factor for developing these benign tumors. Hibiscus tea significantly lowers blood pressure and therefore can be a naturopathic fibroid treatment.

Considerations

• Fibroids usually shrink after menopause, and only rarely need medical intervention.