Hemorrhoids (Piles) are swollen and inflamed veins in the anus and lower rectum. This could be due to the straining during bowel movement or from the increased pressure on the veins during pregnancy, along with a few other causes. Hemorrhoids can be located both externally or internally, and affect about half of adults over the age of 50.
Symptoms include:
- Painless bleeding during bowel movements,
- Itching or irritation
- Pain or discomfort
- Swelling
- Leakage of feces, etc.
Internal hemorrhoids don’t cause any pain or discomfort but can lead to external hemorrhoids.
Some common causes include:
- Straining during bowel movements
- Sitting for a long period of time on toilets
- Chronic diarrhea or constipation
- Obesity
- Pregnancy
- Anal Intercourse
- Low fibre diet
- Age
Fortunately, there are many effective treatments available, along with some lifestyle changes that will result in complete relief from the problem. These natural home remedies are also cost effective with no side effects.
Home Remedies for Hemorrhoids:
1. Ice:
Ice helps to constrict the blood vessels, reduce the swelling and give immediate relief from the pain.
Method:
- Wrap ice in a cloth or icepack.
- Apply to the affected area directly and leave for about 10 minutes.
- Repeat several times a day until the hemorrhoids go away.
- Note: A pack of frozen vegetables like peas or corn wrapped in cloth also work well.
- Apply to the effected area for about 20 minutes, do this three times a day.
2. Aloe Vera:
Aloe vera is known for its anti-inflammatory and therapeutic properties which help to reduce the itching, inflammation and irritation of hemorrhoids. It is used to treat both internal and external hemorrhoids.
Method – 1: (Internal Hemorrhoids)
- Take aloe vera leaf ensuring to cut of the sharp thorns.
- Cut the leaves in strips and freeze them.
- Apply these to the affected area.
- Repeat this regularly to get relief from the hemorrhoids.
Method – 2: (External Hemorrhoids)
- Take an aloe vera leaf and extract its gel.
- Apply this gel to your anus and slowly massage it on the affected area for few minutes.
- Repeat this application of gel to get relief from the external hemorrhoids.
3. Lemon Juice:
Lemon juice has antioxidants, vitamin C and other nutrients that give relief from the hemorrhoids by strengthening the capillaries and blood vessel walls.
Method:
- Soak a cotton ball in the freshly squeezed lemon juice from 1 – 2 lemons.
- Apply this directly on the hemorrhoids.
- Initially there will be some tingling or burning sensation, but this will only last a short while.
- Alternatively, mix half a lemon juice with a cup of hot milk and drink it.
- Repeat every 3 hours.
- Another option is mixing 1/2 teaspoon each of lemon juice, ginger juice and honey together and take this mixture once a day.
4. Almond Oil:
Almond oil has emollient and deep tissue absorption properties that can be used to treat external hemorrhoids.
Method:
- Dip a cotton ball in pure almond oil.
- Apply this directly on the affected area.
- Repeat this several times a day.
5. Olive Oil:
Olive oil has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties that are used to treat external haemorrhoid. It helps to increase the elasticity of blood vessels to reduce inflammation and shrinks the size of swollen blood vessels in the anal canal.
Method:
- Consume a teaspoon of olive oil daily.
- Alternatively take few plum leaves and crush them to extract the juice.
- Mix this with the olive oil and apply to the hemorrhoids.
- Repeat this daily.
6. Whole Grains:
Whole grain products contain a good amount of fibre which is highly effective in relieving the symptoms and bleeding. It also allows the colon to work more effectively. Fibre foods helps to soften the stool to reduce the strain during bowel movement. Therefore try to have foods like oats, barley, brown rice, millet, quinoa, maize and buckwheat in your diet.
7. Potatoes:
Potatoes have astringent properties that help to relieve the pain and itching associated with this condition.
Method:
- Wash 2 potatoes and cut into small chunks.
- Blend to a liquid form.
- Add a few teaspoons of water (if it is dry) and spread into a thin gauze bandage.
- Fold in half and apply to the hemorrhoids for about 5 – 10 minutes.
- Repeat this process as needed.
8. Coconut Oil:
Coconut oil contains medium chain saturated oils which your body requires to prevent hemorrhoids. It also has antiviral, antimicrobial and anti-bacterial properties.
Method – 1:
- Clean the affected area with a dry cotton ball.
- Apply the oil on the affected area gently.
- Repeat several times a day to relief from the pain and discomfort.
Method – 2:
- Dip a cotton ball in a bowl of the oil.
- Place on the affected area and hold it for few minutes
- Repeat this until the area soothes and pain is relieved completely.
9. Prunes:
Prunes have laxative effect that helps to soften the stools, which in turn helps to treat the hemorrhoids.
Method:
- Eat 2-3 prunes daily.
- Alternatively, prune juice or prune supplements can be consumed daily.
10. Witch Hazel:
Witch hazel contains mild astringent and healing properties that help to ease the discomforts associated with hemorrhoids. It helps to shrink inflamed blood vessels, relieves pain, itching and swelling.
Method:
- Take a cotton ball and soak it in an undistilled witch hazel.
- Apply this on the hemorrhoids.
- Repeat 3 times a day to get relief from the pain and bleeding of hemorrhoids.
- Medicated pads can be bought and applied that contains witch hazel.
- These can be use instead of or in combination with toilet paper.
11. Apple Cider Vinegar:
The astringent property of apple cider vinegar helps to shrink the swollen blood vessels and gives relief from the swelling and irritation of both internal and external hemorrhoids.
Note: Unfiltered and unpasteurized vinegar gets quicker results.
Method – 1: (Internal Hemorrhoids)
- Add a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to a glass of water.
- Stir it well and drink this at least twice a day.
- Honey can be added to make it taste better.
Method – 2: (External Hemorrhoids)
- Soak a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar for few minutes.
- Gently press the ball against the inflamed area which may initially cause a stinging sensation.
- Repeat this several times a day.
12. Black Tea Bags:
Tannic acid present in the tea has natural astringent property that helps to reduce the swelling and pain associated with hemorrhoids.
Method:
- Dip a tea bag in hot water for a few minutes before removing.
- Let it cool slightly before applying the tea bag to the affected area for about 10 minutes.
- Repeat 2 – 3 times a day.
- Note: You can apply the cold and used tea bags to the hemorrhoids for 5 – 10 minutes.
13. Water:
Drinking adequate amount of water will helps to cleanse the internal system and hydrates the entire body. It also helps to facilitate the bowel movements and keep the stools soft. 8-10 glasses of water a day is recommended.
Tips to Reduce the Hemorrhoids:
These tips can stop the hemorrhoids from getting worse and relieves symptoms.
- Gently blot the anus with white toilet paper moistened with water or a cleansing agent (like Balneol) after each bowel movement, baby wipes can also be used.
- Rinse or clean yourself in the shower rather than using toilet paper.
- Use soaps that don’t contain perfumes or dyes.
- Take some non-prescription pain relievers to reduce the pain and swelling.
- Apply ice followed by a warm compress several times a day.
- Have a warm bath.
- Make sure that not to sit or stand for a long time when hemorrhoids are irritated. Also avoid lifting heavy objects.
- Always wear cotton underwear to prevent the moisture build-up. Also wear loose clothing to reduce the pressure on the anal area.
- Resting on your side or stomach can help to reduce the swelling of hemorrhoids. If you’re pregnant, you have to find it helpful to lie on your side. If you’re not pregnant, then sleeping on your stomach with a pillow under the hips to reduce the swelling of hemorrhoids.
- Straining or holding the breath when trying to pass a stool puts greater pressure on the veins in the lower rectum.
- Do not wait to pass a bowl movement.
- Staying active will help to prevent the constipation and reduce the pressure on veins.
- Sit on a doughnut shaped cushion and have short walking breaks if you have to sit for a long time.
- Have balanced diet everyday to strengthen your immune system.
- Eat vitamin C rich fruits and vegetable (foods like lemons, oranges, broccoli, etc.) to strengthen and tone blood vessels.
If symptoms do not ease in a week, consult a doctor.
8 comments
Other sites explicitly say NOT to use a doughnut pillow, since this will make the pressure worse. Which advice is right?
Sitting on doughnut pillow provides great relief for hemorrhoids. It can elevate the back of the rear for maximum weigh relief. It offers balance when rotating or reaching. It improves posture and blood circulation. It reduces pressure points in rear, legs and thighs.
I m using apple cider vinegar but it is increasing the swelling what to do
Avoid using apple cider vinegar further and try a different effective ingredient like witch hazel, coconut oil or potatoes. If none of them are working then consult a doctor.
But it’s internal hemorrides so hw cn I reach their to apply…
I think mine is internal hemorrhoids piles so how to overcome it after all I m thinking to join gym…for upcoming bodybuilding contest.so what shall I do now?sometime I jst hv tough tym in toilet .
I used a slight used tea bag.
Added a mixture of almond oil, tea tree oil, frankincense oil n lavander.
Coated tea bag n placed on spot
Soothing, especially having a bout of
diahhrea n was extra sensitive
Here’s hope for others. I am much better now after two weeks of great pain and angst. I had really bad flair up due to mainly too much meat, etc. – just wasn’t paying attention. Have had 2 small tags for years, put were flat pea size. But they swelled, so one became size of fat pea and another fat grape size. Constant pain, bleeding, pressure, etc. You know the feeling.
So I took all suggestions on these blogs to heart, and two weeks later, I am pain free, and they are smaller than when problem started, one shrunk to skinny pea size and the other half size of flatgrape. Both much smaller now. I want to assure people there is hope. It takes work but it’s cheap and simple.
You need package of ‘roid witch hazel wipes to use every time you wipe. Get some apple cidar vinegar. Get some cotton balls size if you press peter pointer and thumb together. Get Prep H with a nozzle so you can shoot inside you and can also use on tags or some Vitamin A and E ointment to keep on tags.
I started drinking 20 oz mugs of water 3 x a day. In morn I put a tsp of ACV in the water and drank every day. – you can barely taste it.
Elevation of feet or raising feet on tiptoes does help when going and relieves the pressure. Cut meat out of diet as much as possible to soften stools and the water helps with that.
I wiped well and very gingerly since it hurts like hell everytime with the WH wipes but the cool helps with pain. Dilute the ACV in water to 50/50 or even 40/60 and keep in small plastic container next to toilet w/ your wipes. You will burn the ‘roids if too concentrated and then that is very painful to deal with, so less is more, trust me – don’t think that more is better. It’s NOT. After you wipe well put the ACV mix on a cotton ball which then easily tucks between piles and then I opened up a small gauze patch I had and placed over that for a little padding and kept that on area 15-20 min. I only did this once a day or maybe once in morn and once at night.
I also got Prep H cream with the nozzle that you can shoot inside you and also used it on exterior or Vitamin A and E ointment you can also get at Walgreens.
You will see relief in several days and at least you will be out of despair and on to the hope that you can be well. Lots of H2O, veggies, and reduction of meat, – also chew your food well, especially meat. Also, I really felt better by trying to walk a mile everyday as I am fairly fit.
My problem developed originally because I am an impatient pooper and strained more than I should to finish quickly and have had bouts with IBS. So don’t despair. I am female, age 64, at age 50 they even did some internal banding during a colonoscopy and at that time those ‘roids were both just pea size. After all of this now, both of my roids are closer to size from years ago and I attribute most of it to the miracle work of ACV. Try these cheap methods and good luck to all who suffer, and thanks to those who shared their candid problems and remedies which led to helping me, I never have felt compelled to ever blog about anything, but know there are many like myself who must also suffer in silence as you just can’t discuss this with anyone! Good luck.