A lipoma is a benign (non-cancerous) growth of fatty tissue. Lipomas are painless, harmless and very slow growing. They are located between the skin and muscle, moving freely under the epidermis. Under touch, they feel spongy or soft. Lipomas are most often located on the neck, shoulders, abdomen, arms, thighs and back. They can get in the way of limb movement and are aesthetically unappealing. Here are some natural treatments to reduce lipomas and improve your range of motion and appearance.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Treating Lipoma with Natural Oils and Herbs
Step 1. Create an ointment using natural oils and herbs
Natural oils such as flax and neem are excellent bases for ointments. Experiment with different combinations of herbs and oils.
- Neem oil is an astringent that helps protect the skin. It is commonly used in Ayurvedic (Old Indian) medicine to treat lipomas.
- Flaxseed oil has high levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids help reduce inflammation. Buy certified flaxseed oil that is free of heavy metals such as lead and mercury.
Tip:
Although not a natural oil, cooled green tea is a great alternative to ointment base. It's rich in antioxidants that help regulate blood sugar and fats.
Step 2. Mix the pine with an oil or natural tea base
Mix 1 teaspoon of white walrus with 2-3 tablespoons of neem oil or flaxseed oil. Apply the ointment on the lipoma.
- White walnut is used to reduce fat.
- You can also use 1 to 2 tablespoons of chilled green tea instead of neem or flaxseed oil to make a paste.
Step 3. Try creating a saffron ointment
Put 1 teaspoon of turmeric together with 2-3 tablespoons of neem oil or flaxseed oil. Smooth the ointment over the lipoma. The skin will turn a little orange or yellow from the turmeric. Cover the lipoma with a bandage to protect clothing.
- Turmeric, like neem oil, is often used in Ayurvedic medicine.
- For a paste, add 1-2 tablespoons of chilled green tea instead of neem or flaxseed oil to turmeric.
Step 4. Add dried sage to neem oil or linseed oil
Mix ½ to 1 teaspoon of dried sage with 2 to 3 tablespoons of neem oil or flaxseed oil. Cover the lipoma with the balm.
- Replace 1 to 2 tablespoons of chilled green tea with neem or flaxseed oil to make a paste.
- Sage is used in traditional Chinese medicine to dissolve fatty tissue.
Method 2 of 3: Treating Lipoma with Diet Improvements
Step 1. Increase the amount of vegetables and fruits in your diet
Fruits and vegetables have antioxidants that help reduce blood fats.
Choose brightly colored fruits and vegetables for a higher level of antioxidants. Some good examples of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables are blueberries, raspberries, apples, plums, citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables, squash and peppers
Step 2. Eat more fish
Fish has good amounts of healthy omega-3 fats and good quality protein. Omega-3 fat helps reduce inflammation and may help limit lipoma growth.
- Salmon and tuna are excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids, as well as being rich in protein.
- Good sources of omega-3 fatty acids include mackerel, herring and trout, which are also rich in vitamin B 12.
Step 3. Limit your intake of red meat
If you eat red meat, make sure they are grass-fed animals, with no antibiotics or added hormones. Grass-fed animals have a lot of omega-3s and omega-6s in meat.
Chicken, tofu and beans are healthy alternatives to red meat and are also high in protein
Step 4. Switch to organic foods as much as possible
Switching to organic foods reduces the number of preservatives and additives you eat. That way, your liver will be able to focus on removing the toxins stored in the lipoma from the fat tissue.
Tip:
Limiting the amount of processed and prepackaged foods you consume will also limit the amount of additives and preservatives you eat.
Method 3 of 3: When to Seek Medical Treatment
Step 1. See your doctor if you experience pain or discomfort, if new lipomas appear, or if you notice swelling
The lump may look a lot like a lipoma, but it could be something else. Lipomas don't hurt. If you feel pain, see a doctor. In this sense, only try to treat new lumps or swellings after consulting a doctor and discovering the nature of your problem.
The lump is probably a lipoma or something else of little concern. Still, it's good to see a doctor to be sure
Step 2. Understand that the doctor may order a biopsy, an X-ray, an MRI or even a CT scan
These tests will confirm the diagnosis of lipoma. In many cases, your doctor will do a quick exam in your own office.
- You should not experience anything other than mild discomfort at the time of the biopsy. The doctor will anesthetize the area around the lipoma and use a needle to remove a small piece of the lump. Finally, he will examine the sample under a microscope to make sure it's a lipoma.
- Exams such as X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans produce images useful to your doctor. It may be that he asks you to do just one of them. An x-ray will show a shadow in the region where the lipoma is, while an MRI and CT will show more details about the lump.
Step 3. Ask your doctor if liposuction can treat lipoma
Small lipomas can be removed using liposuction. In this procedure, the doctor will anesthetize the area near the lipoma so you don't feel pain and will use a needle to suck the lump.
The procedure is quick and you can get back into the routine immediately after doing it. You may experience some pain and discomfort for a while after liposuction
Step 4. Try surgery to remove the lipoma if it interferes with your movement
When in doubt, follow the doctor's suggestion if he recommends surgery. The doctor will anesthetize you and make a small incision in your body to remove the lipoma. Finally, he will close the incision site with stitches.
- You may have a small scar in the lipoma region. She won't be particularly flashy. You will also experience some discomfort and tenderness at the surgery site for a while.
- Opt for surgery if the lipoma is affecting your physical self-esteem.
Tip:
A surgically removed lipoma is unlikely to reappear.
Tips
- It is always advisable to consult a doctor first before trying a natural treatment.
- Apply herbal ointments generously daily for best results.
- Never try to squeeze or irritate the lipoma.