Bartholin Cysts
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Effective Natural Remedies for Bartholin Cysts

| Modified on Jul 06, 2024
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Tea Tree Oil for Bartholin Cysts.

Bartholin gland cysts, often experienced by women when the Bartholin's glands near the vaginal opening get blocked and retain fluid, are a prevalent health concern. These cysts typically do not cause pain but can lead to discomfort and significant pain if infected or inflamed.

Many individuals turn to natural treatments for Bartholin cysts, seeking alternatives to traditional medical approaches like antibiotics, surgical drainage, or marsupialization. These natural methods are valued for their potential lower side effects and affordability.

Natural Remedies for Bartholin Cysts

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil, the most popular remedy on Earth Clinic for Bartholin cysts, is derived from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia tree and has been used for centuries for its antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties.  It is recommended to dilute tea tree oil with carrier oil, such as coconut or olive oil, before applying it to the affected area.

An Earth Clinic reader from Georgia shared her positive experience using tea tree oil to treat a Bartholin cyst. This was her second encounter with such a cyst; the first time, she endured a week of pain. Facing a road trip and unable to afford a long recovery, she acted promptly.

Starting on a Wednesday morning, she applied a combination of castor oil and tea tree oil on gauze, placing it on the cyst. This provided relief from pain, making it just an irritation. She continued the application through Thursday, even while at work. Though the discomfort increased, the pain remained manageable.

Later, she added turmeric powder to the castor oil, noting bleeding when removing the gauze, which she took as a positive sign. After an Epsom salt bath and applying more oil (including frankincense), she used a hot water bottle for heat therapy. By 2 AM, she noticed the cyst was draining.

Her experience highlights the effectiveness of combining natural remedies like tea tree oil, turmeric, and heat therapy to expedite the healing of Bartholin cysts, reducing a week-long ordeal to just two days of manageable discomfort.

Alkaline Diet

Susan, an Earth Clinic reader from Columbus, Ohio, advocates for an alkaline diet as the most effective cure for Bartholin cysts, based on her personal experience. She found that this dietary approach, focused on oxygenating and detoxifying foods, significantly reduced her cyst from the size of a golf ball to a pea in less than a week. According to her, sitz baths and topical treatments were ineffective.

Susan emphasizes that Bartholin cysts indicate a bodily imbalance and an accumulation of toxins. She believes in addressing the root cause rather than just the symptoms. The diet she recommends consists mainly of leafy greens, water with lemons and limes (for their alkalizing effects), soaked raw almonds, sprouted seeds, extra virgin olive oil, and flaxseed oil. She notes the difficulty in maintaining this diet but stresses its effectiveness in avoiding invasive medical treatments.

As a busy working mom, Susan also points out the impracticality of frequent sitz baths, which in her experience, led to additional issues like yeast infections. She firmly believes that Bartholin cysts are an internal problem that requires an internal solution, comparing external applications to spraying the outside of a mold-infested house while the real issue lies within. Susan's experience suggests that an alkaline diet might offer a holistic approach to managing Bartholin cysts.

Castor Oil

Castor oil is a natural oil derived from the seeds of the castor plant and has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for a wide range of health conditions.

Charlotte from the UK shared her success story on Earth Clinic about using castor oil to treat a Bartholin cyst. Despite trying various methods, including antibiotics, garlic, tea tree oil, salt sitz baths, and other natural remedies like apple cider vinegar, turmeric packs, and hot flannels, she saw little improvement in her condition. Her cyst had become so large and infected that surgery seemed inevitable.

However, Charlotte decided to try castor oil as a last resort, applying it directly to the cyst multiple times a day. Remarkably, within just three days of consistent application, she noticed a significant reduction in the size of the cyst. After a week, the cyst had shrunk to less than the size of a pea, eliminating the need for surgery.

Charlotte's experience suggests that castor oil can be an effective, non-invasive treatment for Bartholin cysts, particularly when other remedies fail to provide relief.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E has emerged as a noteworthy natural remedy for Bartholin cysts, as evidenced by several user testimonials. These accounts highlight the potential effectiveness of Vitamin E oil in managing and reducing Bartholin cysts.

  1. Rapid Relief Experience (Kelsey, Baton Rouge, Louisiana): Kelsey shared that after a week of discomfort due to a Bartholin cyst, she found relief using Vitamin E oil. Despite trying other remedies like Epsom salt baths and castor oil, it was the application of Vitamin E oil that led to the cyst forming a head and starting to drain within just 3 hours.
  2. Successful Application for Daughter (HisJewel, New York): After reading about Vitamin E's effectiveness, HisJewel recommended it to her daughter who was suffering from a cyst. Her daughter applied the oil from a gelcap directly to the cyst, and within about two days, the cyst had disappeared.
  3. Long-Term Sufferer's Relief (Crystal, Tracy, California): Crystal, who had struggled with Bartholin's cysts for over 20 years, including a severe case requiring emergency room attention, found significant relief using Vitamin E oil. After applying it, she witnessed the gland drain before her eyes, and a ganglion cyst she had also reduced in size.
  4. Regular User (Laura, Ventnor, New Jersey): Laura regularly experiences Bartholin's cysts and has found that applying Vitamin E directly to the cyst helps to unclog the pores, reducing swelling and pain significantly over about 12 hours. She uses a high IU Vitamin E cream and suggests that dietary intake of Vitamin E might also be a factor to consider.

These testimonials suggest that Vitamin E oil can be a valuable and effective remedy for treating Bartholin cysts,

Sitz Baths

One of the most commonly recommended home treatments for Bartholin cysts is a sitz bath. This involves sitting in a few inches of warm water several times a day, usually for 10 to 15 minutes. The warmth can help the cyst drain and ease discomfort.

Warm Compress

Applying a warm compress to the affected area can promote circulation and drainage, potentially reducing swelling and discomfort. This method is often recommended for mild cases and as a supportive treatment.

Epsom Salt Bath

Epsom salt, or magnesium sulfate, is a natural remedy used for centuries to alleviate aches and pains. The warm water helps to increase blood flow to the affected area, while the Epsom salt acts as a natural anti-inflammatory, reducing swelling and pain.

Turmeric

Turmeric is a spice commonly used in Indian cuisine known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Witch Hazel

Witch hazel, a natural astringent, is used for various skin conditions. Applying witch hazel to the cyst often helps with inflammation and irritation.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is a succulent plant with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

Frankincense Oil

Frankincense oil is derived from the resin of the Boswellia tree and has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.

Conclusion

To conclude, Bartholin cysts, while often a cause of significant discomfort, can be effectively managed with a variety of natural remedies. The methods we've explored here, drawn from both traditional practices and personal experiences shared by individuals, offer a range of options for those seeking alternative or complementary treatments. It's heartening to note that many have found relief through these natural approaches, as evidenced by the numerous success stories from Earth Clinic readers. This compilation of remedies is a testament to the power and potential of natural healing methods in addressing Bartholin cysts.

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
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Alkaline Diet

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Posted by Susan (Columbus, Ohio) on 11/27/2014
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

The best cure for bartholin cysts is an alkaline diet. It is the ONLY thing that works for me and can take a golf ball sized cyst down to a pea in less than a week. No sitz baths or any topical treatment with this as that NEVER worked for me. When we get these nasty cysts it's because our body is completely out of balance and needs oxygenating food to remove all the toxins. A bartholin's cyst is our body's way of trying to release toxins, so instead of just trying to cure the symptom, you have to fix the main problem and cure the source of the ailment. I will admit it is hard to stick to this diet, but it is sooooooo worth it when you see such quick results and can avoid being sliced and diced by the docs and a catheter rammed up there, no thanks! Never again! The long and short of it is you want to eat tons of leafy greens, drink lots of water with lemons and limes (I understand counter-intuitive, but these fruits have a powerfully alkalizing effect on the body), soaked raw almonds, sprouted seeds, EVOO & flax seed oil, and that's about it for the first week. I'm also a very busy working mom, so I don't have time to sit in a sitz bath 7 times a day, and all it ever did for me cause a yeast infection too. I'm a firm believer that this is an internal problem and needs an internal remedy. Applying anything externally is like having a mold infested house which a person keeps spraying the outside, hoping it solves the problem. You have to get in there and clean the house!!! Hope this helps, good luck to everyone and God bless!

Replied by Amber
(Florida, US)
02/23/2015
★★★★★

I completely agree with you! I've had a recurring bartholins cyst for the past 5 years coming every 2-3 months and 5 times I had to get it drained-the others were lessened by antibiotics OR it got so bad that it would naturally rupture on it's own (which I think is a better alternative then draining) Anyways, I tried everything but knew the problem was internal. I was having digestive problems and my cyst would always flare up after being constipated for days. Now I know that GLUTEN was the problem and I got my blood tested and I have a severe intolerance to gluten. Having eliminated it from my died and eating more leafy greens, I have gone 6 months now without a problem which is the longest I've home without a cyst. I'm so relieved to find the source of the problem:)

Replied by Heayawn
(Dublin, Ohio)
02/04/2016
★★★★★

The alkaline diet works for me too!! I tried sitz baths and some other treatments, it just doesn't work!! I was so frustrated and I didn't want to go to the doctor to get rid of it so I tried the alkaline diet and man it works wonderfully!! The pain not only lessens so much but it did go away too!! Man I was just so happy!!

Replied by Ashun
(Uganda)
04/06/2017

hy I have a batholins cyst and it has soffer re-occured three times just help elaborate more about alkaline diet, like kind of food is that?

Replied by Jillian R.
(Hattiesburg, Ms)
06/09/2017

An alkaline diet is essentially a vegan diet that includes tons and tons of vegetables. You want anything that is dark, leafy, and green (kale, cabbage, spinach, etc.) It is also extremely important to avoid acid-producing foods which includes DAIRY. It is so acidic to your system. Avoid meat if possible. Some types of beans & nuts are also alkaline producing so include those! Tofu is a great meat replacement for an alkaline diet-type. But most important is lots of greens plus fruit! Also important is to eat some/most of your veggies raw...when you cook them, they lose their benefits

Alum

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Posted by Courtney (California) on 06/06/2019
 ★★★★★

Alum for Bartholin's gland Cyst.

I get mucocele's in my mouth sometimes and found the alum cure here on this website. It works every time, and the mucocele goes away within a week. (a mucocele is a blocked saliva duct on the inside of your lip). So, when I got a bartholin's gland cyst, I thought it was pretty similar to a mucocele: blocked duct, similar environment of the body). So I tried the alum on the bartholin's gland cyst, and sure enough it healed it. I put the alum directly on the cyst for about 15 minutes every night. Then rinsed it off, making sure not to get the alum anywhere else.

After about a week, the cyst was about 80% gone, and I stopped using it, and now a month or so later, it is completely gone. Hope this can help someone else.

Apple Cider Vinegar

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Posted by Happy (Zagreb) on 01/27/2017
 ★★★★★

Hey! I'm 34 and a wee ago I noticed a bult next to my vagina, I thought it was a lymph node but reading online it was a Bartholin gland cyst. tw days was small third day was huge, as big seed (you can see the swollen labia) got red but no pain at all, and barely bother me, read that can get infected so I started taking antibiotics inmediatly (i had a box of ab so I used those), I got scared and washed with warm water for 10 min, 4 times a day. Nothing happened, the same. Until I got here and I read about the vinager, so at night I washed the zone, got a cotton pad soked in vinager and put it on top on the swollen zone (i did not put the cotton pad inside my vagina, only outside) it was soaked so the vinager was going in anyway, and my underwear also got all vinager wet.

Next day I washed everything out and changed underwear, my bult was the same and it bothered me a bit, maybe itchy, but during the day with the movement suddenly I felt my underwear wet, and when I checked it did burst, mostly liquid and a bit a blood, no infection, has passed like 3 hours and is half of the size, im not pressing it, just letting itself take out the liquid and washing frequently, I'l keep taking antibiotics for a couple of days just in case. I'm hoping it goes all out, other wise next week ill go to the doctor. Apple vinegar was my miracle solution :)

Replied by Stephanie
(Canada)
09/15/2017
★★★★★

I had my first experience with one of these this week. It was infected and swollen and could barely walk last night from the pain. Following advice found here, I soaked in a hot bath, applied Apple Cider vinegar, and then put a sliced clove of garlic on the cyst. I went to bed like that. Around 1 a.m. I woke up suddenly. The cyst had ruptured.

Replied by Jessica
(Houston, tx)
06/18/2023

On my cycle and I woke up with pain, come to find I have a circular bump on the left side if my clit.. it was pink and had pain. Didn't know what it could be so I googled and ended up finding this site, thinking it could be a bartholin cyst. I used a cotton ball and put apple cider vinegar.. it cause my bump to have a ring around it and making it more painful, just like a boil. I kept cleaning my clit, changing my pad and put the Apple Cider Vinegar on the cotton ball, day 2 it rapture and liquid came out.. it's smaller but still pain so I'll continue to do the acv.. I really appreciated this post

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Besty (Piedmont Triad, North Carolina) on 12/23/2016
 ★★★★★

Apple cider vinegar was one of the last treatment I used and was amazed, I've suffered from vaginal cyst on and off for the past 4 years. Lessons I've learned is to catch them early since I'm aware of the feeling that I start to feel down there knowing that possibly I'm catching a cyst. I took 4-5 bath with tons of salt, for 10-15 mins massaged it and even put some Castor oil in the bath for added circulation. Once I got out I let my vagina air dry then applied tea tree oil, and made sure I massaged it all over the lump I cfeel you might have to go a tad bit inside of your vagina a bit- because it grows on the inside of your labia and the bigger it gets the more it takes up the opening of your vagina. I did this method throughout the day. Then I found out about apple cider vinegar, I put a cap full on a cotton ball or I used a pad, cut it open and just used the top layer so it's doesn't absorb the vinegar. I then put the cotton layer entirely over my cyst and within 15-20 mins the cyst shrunk, I was amazed. I will be taking one last bath tonight applying the cider and compressing a warm rag over the lump, hopefully in the morning it will be gone. Hope this helps.

Replied by Blessing
(Nigeria, plateau Jos)
04/18/2023

Which of the apple cider vinegar can I use for bartholin cyst?

EC: An organic brand, and with "the mother" if possible.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Gweyndolyn (Georgia) on 12/21/2016
 ★★★★★

I noticed a lump on in the left side of my vagina on this past Monday I didn't think much of it as it wasn't sore but by Tuesday it was very tender and uncomfortable even when I was sitting still. I immediately searched for at home remedies and found this site. I am well aware of Apple Cider Vinegar medicinal abilities. So, I immediately went and applied some the the cyst using a cotton swab, I did this through out the day. And before bed I took a warm shower and rested with a cotton ball on the bump for about 15 minutes before going to sleep. I woke this morning to a smaller cyst and it doesnt hurt, it's still tender to touch but not uncomfortable to sit anymore. I will report back when it is completely head, but I just wanted to say for anyone who may be skeptical this is definitely works and I'm so glad I found this site.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Ana (Wilmington, Nc) on 07/03/2013
 ★★★★★

I cured my bartholin's cyst following two months of taking 2 tblspns Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in small amount of water (had been on ACV for allergies for two months prior to discovering golf-ball sized cyst), but when I added 1 drop of Lugol's iodine and 10 drops of silica, the cyst felt smaller after a month and was gone in two months and hasn't returned. I had read on this site that cysts are caused by iodine deficiency, and it must be true!

Castor Oil

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Posted by Charlotte (Uk) on 09/19/2017
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

Bartholin Cyst:

I used just castor oil not even on a pack. Just repeatedly applied it throughout the day maybe 4 times or more depending on when I went to the toilet. My cyst had got so big and infected it was going to need surgery to have it removed. It had gone solid. It couldn't be drained. I took antibiotics the doctor gave me for 2 weeks and used garlic, tea tree and salt sits baths for 3 weeks with next to no change... but pain had lessended. then I decided I had 2 options... castor oil or cbd oil. I read that also works well.

The moment I got home from being told I needed surgery I started applying castor oil and stopped the other treatments. (I was trying everything too, Apple cider vinegar which burnt me. Turmeric packs, silica and raspberry leaves. As well as the sits baths and hot flannels) I also had to deal with thrush from antibiotics which I cured with creme and natural yogurt.

Within 3 days of starting the castor oil it went down dramatically and after a week it almost went. It still hasn't completely returned to normal after but I'm in no pain and don't need surgery anymore. It's less then a pea now. Even if it stays like this it's still 100 times better then the plum size it was before. I also noticed my emotional well being had a part to play in the healing process. When emotional or over whelmed it would be uncomfortable and seemed to be inflammed again or more. But when happier and in a good energy space I seemed to heal better and faster. I hope this helps in anyways or I hope you find a remedy that works for you. Xx

Castor Oil Packs

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Posted by Tina (Alabama) on 11/19/2013
 ★★★★★

I have done the castor oil packs. They have gotten rid of my bartholin cysts for good. My tampons used to come out almost shaped like a C because of my cyst. But now they come out normal. Trust me on this!!!!!!

Replied by Jellybelly
(Toronto, Ontario)
10/11/2015

How does an upper respiratory infection and antibiotics cause a cyst? I've had mucous build up and probably it is an upper respiratory infection for 2 weeks now, then I got a yeast infection then now a cyst! How are they all linked?

Replied by Kayy
(Ma)
11/09/2015

Antibiotics are known to cause yeast infections.. Then you'll probably have to go on another round of antibiotics to get rid of the yeast infection if over the counter meds don't help. It's like an endless cycle. A cyst probably formed because of the yeast infection; somehow a blockage happened and fluid backed up.

Replied by Christie Lyn
(Kapaa, Hi)
01/14/2017

My thinking is that the antibiotics wiped out your natural microbiota (microorganisms/bacteria in your gut, vagina, and on skin mostly) which is a huge part of your immune system. Then you took some sort of an antifungal to kill the yeast off. You threw your whole system out of whack. Sometimes it is necessary to take antibiotics, but they should be a last resort. Always take probiotics when taking antibiotics to replenish your microbiota. All sorts of terrible things can happen after taking antibiotics. This is an emerging field--one we know very little about. They now think that autoimmune diseases are the result of a disrupted microbiota and their cure may be in balancing out the microbiota.

Colloidal Silver

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Posted by Barbara (Kentucky) on 11/18/2017
 ★★★★★

After the bartholin cyst bursts, take collodial silver and also apply to area 2-3 a day, to prevent infection.

Dietary Changes

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Posted by Shelley (Rowlett ) on 09/08/2016
 ★★★★★

Prevention of Bartholin cysts is in your diet. Remove all processed foods, canned foods, fermemted, picked, pasteurized, plastic packaging. All mold must be removed all fungus must be removed from the diet. Basically it's gluten-free sugar-free and yeast free. No bread no cheese no pasta. No pork of any kind. No lunch meat - no leftovers that set out at all. I know it sounds harsh but It can save your life from the misery of the cysts.

Epsom Salt

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Posted by Kim (Montreal, Canada) on 09/22/2021
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I discovered I had a Bartholin cyst two weeks ago. It was the size of a grape. I read up on DIY home remedies and tried several things like applying a clay paste, apple cider vinegar compresses castor oil with tea tree essential oil massages and sitz baths. These seemed helpful at first because the swelling seemed to reduce during the night but suddenly, the cyst got really hard and painful. (Now I realize that it must have been in its way to bursting which is the goal) I did more research and decided to try epsom salt baths and magnesium sulfate paste application. That did the trick. After my first sitz bath with half a cup of epsom salt followed by an application of the paste, the cyst burst a couple of hours later. Then I took another bath to disinfect and applied more paste.

The cyst is gone but there is still some hardness or tension in that area. I'm not sure If it's the gland or just ligaments. Hopefully, my gland will heal, the duct will be unclogged and the infection will subside.

Epsom Salt
Posted by Mira (New Jersey) on 09/26/2018
 ★☆☆☆☆

Epsom salt and bartholin cyst no good:

I've had an bartholin cyst at least 3 times. It used to go away with a simple bath 2 out of 3 of the times. I've gotton it drained ...most painful thing I've ever experienced. I'd rather go through childbirth lol ...I believe that my laundry detergent on my underwear are the cause the tightness and also the dyes. Anyway, I just got an incision maybe a month ago.

I am also pregnant I've tried regular baths ..no results! I then tried Epson salt baths that made it worse. it actually built up the puss in my cyst which were making my labia harder on the left side the doctor actually told me this. Now a month & some change later here I am again. I can barely walk & Tylenol is barely working ..I will try tea tree oil tomorrow & see how it works...wish me luck I am 35 weeks pregnant and can't bare another shot of lidocaine (how ever u spell it) going into my stuff ...wish me luck.

Epsom Salt
Posted by Emma (Indianapolis, In) on 03/08/2016
 ★★★★★

I had a bartholin cyst and did the epsom salt bath one time and then after drying applied with sea salt and left it on overnight. It dried it out and by morning it had burst. It was painful to go to bathroom because of the wound so I used vaseline to coat it and it healed in two days. Doctor thought I was crazy to use sea salt but it worked. She did a test on rhe area and labs came back negative so all is good. Since then someone told me about clove oil and how to cut a hole in washcloth and cover everything leaving cyst exposed thru hole and carefully apply tiny amount of clove oil mixed in coconut oil or vaseline to be a carrier because clove oil is really strong. But it will dry them out. It can deaden nerves if used more than a few times in a row so space out the oil maybe every two days and let it work. My doctor says to just let them run their course but they are so annoying, I HAD to do something. Seems to work.

Flaxseed Oil

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Posted by Donna (Pensacola, FL) on 03/21/2022
 ★★★★★

Bartholins cyst may be related to hydradenitis suppurativa. I have had good luck using flax seed oil capsules by mouth. Taken regularly, it prevents these vaginal cysts/boils and will also help one resolve if its already started. I used to have them frequently in my younger days. Once I started using flax seed oil regularly I stopped getting them. And prior to that it was so bad I could hardly work.

Goldenseal and Castor Oil

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Posted by Donna (Edmonds, Wa) on 06/24/2016
 ★★★★★

I apply a salve of powdered goldenseal from a capsule or two and castor oil to a swollen bartholin cyst. You can also use evening primrose oil as it is also anti-inflammatory or olive oil. You put it on some toilet tissue which has been folded over or some of those square or rounded cotton squares. I just use toilet paper now. It should be a little runny but not so it will run off of the tissue, meaning you do not want a dry salve, nor a runny one. Something in between. The oil carries it into the skin underneath. Apply it to the swollen gland and then put on a pair of old panties that you don't care about to hold it in place, since goldenseal stains. Then I apply a heated rice bag as the heat hurries the process along, but I have done this also without the heat when I have been away from home.

Overnight this will kill the infection and relieve your pain. I would always use two capsules on one that is inflamed and hurting. It has hurt on occasion, but not swollen and when I can feel it, I apply it at night.

A low grade infection can give one insomnia, which it does for me if I don't treat it when my gland is telling me that it isn't happy. After you kill the infection, it will eventually drain.


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