How to Naturally Treat Hemorrhoids
You might think that not many people suffer from this problem, but you’d be very wrong. More and more people are going to see their doctors about hemorrhoids.
However, the medication and treatments prescribed by your doctor might need some additional help. In today’s article, we’ll give you some tips on how to naturally treat hemorrhoids.
Hemorrhoids: the what, how, and why
Hemorrhoids are a big hassle. People who have experienced them would all agree. They’re caused by increased pressure on the rectum. According to this article from the Mayo Clinic, some of the triggers are:
- Chronic constipation
- Pregnancy
- Giving birth
- Obesity
- Stress
- Having a low-fiber diet
- Sitting all day
- Little physical activity
- Wearing tight clothing
The most common symptoms of hemorrhoids are pain, burning, itching, discomfort and bleeding.
This isn’t just uncomfortable; if the situation worsens, you may even require surgery. That’s why it’s better to have healthy habits and try some natural remedies to improve them.
Some tips to relieve hemorrhoids
- Avoid diets that are very high in protein (such as the Atkins diet)
- Get plenty of fiber from fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes
- Avoid foods that are high in sugar (desserts, candies, pastries, etc.)
- Drink at least four pints of water a day in winter, and up to six during the summer
- Don’t drink too much coffee or alcohol
- Get regular exercise
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Avoid using strong laxatives
- Don’t smoke, and reduce your stress levels
- Wear cotton underwear and avoid tight pants
- Avoid using toilet paper that is rough, scented, or very dry. Choose wet wipes instead (like those used for babies).
- Don’t delay the urge to use the bathroom
- Don’t stay seated all day, and if you work at a desk job try a standing desk, or use cushions and make sure you get up from time to time
Natural remedies for hemorrhoids
There may seem a lot of recommendations, but they’re all very simple and promote good overall health while helping to naturally treat hemorrhoids. However, it’s also a good idea to take advantage of the benefits of the following home remedies:
Witch hazel oil
This tree has astringent and anti-inflammatory properties, helping to reduce the itching and pain associated with hemorrhoids. This was confirmed in a study carried out by the Ludwig-Maximilians University in Munich, Germany.
You can make witch hazel wipes using a few drops of essential oil. You may even find them pre-made in some health stores and pharmacies.
If you experience any irritation, especially if you have sensitive skin, stop using it immediately. You can always dilute witch hazel oil with a little olive oil.
Chestnut
You’re probably aware that this tree is also an ingredient in numerous creams and beauty products.
The flowers of the horse chestnut tree are white and pink, and are used to improve circulation by reducing inflammation and toning the blood vessels, according to this study conducted by the National University of Seoul. This makes them perfect for treating hemorrhoids.
Ingredients
- 1 handful of chestnut leaves
- 1 cup of water
Directions
- Put both ingredients in a pot and heat them on the stove.
- When it reach boiling point, leave it to simmer for 5 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and let sit covered until it cools.
- Strain and pour into a container with more water to create a sitz bath.
- You can also soak a washcloth or cotton pad in this mixture to treat the affected area directly.
Comfrey root
Comfrey root helps alleviate pain caused by hemorrhoids thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, as suggested in this study by the Bam University of Medical Sciences (Iran).
You can find comfrey root powder in health food stores. Just add a little water to form a paste, which you should apply to the affected area for 15 minutes before rinsing with warm water.
Aloe vera
There are too many beneficial properties of this plant to name, from healing skin and wounds, to reducing inflammation, so it’s great for hemorrhoids. This is confirmed in a study conducted by the Surgical Hospital Amalia Simoni Argilagos in Camaguey, Cuba.
Cut a stalk of the aloe plant in half and then scrape out the gel, applying it directly onto the affected area. Alternatively, apply a piece of the stalk (gel side down) to the area to alleviate pain.
See more: 6 Ways to Use Aloe Vera for Better Health
White oak bark?
It’s believed that white oak has interesting properties, including:
- Antiseptic
- Anti-inflammatory
- Astringent
However, there is no scientific evidence to support this belief. It’s best to consult with a doctor before using the following remedy:
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon of white oak bark
- 1 cup of boiling water
Directions
- Firstly, add the bark to the boiling water, cover it, and leave it for 15 minutes to steep.
- Then strain the liquid, soak a cotton ball in it, and apply it to the affected area.
- This remedy is recommended for reducing swelling, but not if you also experience constipation.
The Nim tree
This is one of the most common ingredients in Ayurvedic medicine, thanks to its amazing properties. It can be used to treat patients with high cholesterol (according to this study conducted by the Phayao University in Thailand), as well as those with hemorrhoids.
In the latter case, it’s helpful because it fights inflammation and infection, as stated in this investigation by the Qassim de Saudi Arabia University. This, in turn, helps reduce pain. You can use it both internally and externally, as follows:
Ingredients
- 1 handful of Nim tree bark
- 1 cup of hot water
Directions
- Prepare a tea as you would any other.
- Let it cool for five minutes if you’re going to ingest it, and for 15 if it’s for topical use.
- In both cases, strain before use.
If you choose to drink it as a tea, it will also improve your digestion and constipation. For topical use, apply it to the affected area using a cotton ball soaked in the liquid (either cold or lukewarm) to alleviate any itching or bleeding.
Now that you know some of the remedies you can use to treat hemorrhoids, we hope you give them a shot – without stopping the treatment prescribed by your doctor. It won’t be long before you start to notice an improvement.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- García Gutiérrez, A. (2008). Hemorroides: Clasificación, diagnóstico y tratamiento. Revista Cubana de Cirugía, 47(1), 0-0.
- Kinder, F. J., Phillips, G., Runnels, L., Hirsch, A. M., Bunton, A., & Policy, D. Principales Tratamientos Naturales Propuestos.
- Sevilla, M. M. (2005). Historia de las hemorroides y su tratamiento quirúrgico. Revista Mexicana de Coloproctología Enfermedades del Ano, Recto y Colon, 11(1), 4-7.
