Why a list of home remedies for hemorrhoids? More commonly known as Piles, it is one of the commonest surgical disorders we humans face. Some theorize it’s a price we pay for being able to stand up and not walk on all fours like our ancestors. Tortuous and enlarged veins of the anus are what piles primarily constitute. The veins enlarge and start protruding from the mucosa and start bleeding.

Hemorrhoids

Common symptoms of hemorrhoids:

Typically a painless bleed from the anus, usually bright red bleeding after moving the bowels, can occur anytime. The pain is due to straining to move bowels and not due to the piles per se. This is the case with internal hemorrhoids. External hemorrhoids are ones where the veins are externally visible and maybe feel like a lump beyond the margins of the anus. They will be tender to touch.

Also, there might be sensation of something coming out from the rectum or a sensation of heaviness and fullness. There might be some amount of burning. Stools might appear mixed with fresh blood or clots or maybe maroon or tarry in color. There might be itching and irritation in the anus.

Sometimes if internal hemorrhoids have been present for a while with invisible blood loss, then the first symptom might be light headedness and generalised weakness due to the consequent anaemia. If there is anal pain while moving bowels which lasts even after the process is over, then it is due to a fissure-in-ano and not hemorrhoids. They are commonly confused with each other and accurate diagnosis of either is necessary to implement correct treatment.

Before we get into some home remedies for hemorrhoids, let us contemplate on the causes of this condition:

Chronic constipation leading to straining, pregnancy and childbirth, lifting heavy weights regularly, inadequate dietary fiber, water and lastly obesity are some causes. Also if both your parents suffer from piles, then chances are you too will as this shows a tendency to lax tissue. Congestion of the liver called portal hypertension is a grave condition which leads to piles and needs to be adequately evaluated by a qualified physician, treated in time to prevent other fatal complications.

Prevent occurrence:

– Consume enough dietary fiber in form of raw fruits and vegetables.

– Drink at least 3-4 litres of water daily including beverages.

– Exercise daily to prevent laxity of tissues.

Precautions to prevent worsening:

– Avoid anal intercourse. This will definitely worsen the problem.

– Avoid straining while moving bowels. Straining is the major cause of piles and will lead to worsening of bleeding. Instead try relaxing and let gravity do its job.

– Avoid standing for too long. Just like varicose veins of the legs, these varicosities also worsen with prolonged standing as the blood pools in them.

– Avoid having canned and processed foods. They are low in dietary fiber and thus will lead to constipation and worsen piles.

Home remedies for hemorrhoids:

1. Figs – Fresh figs are high on fiber and carbohydrates. Consume fresh figs or figs soaked overnight in water. Strain the water and consume it daily twice for a month to see significant results in hemorrhoids.

2. Milk – Consuming a glass of warm milk with a teaspoon of ghee in it soothes the large intestine and helps smooth bowel movements, thereby reducing piles. Milk is one of the primary remedies for hemorrhoids.

3. Buttermilk – Buttermilk with a pinch of rock salt is known to relieve constipation and effectively reduce piles.

4. Sesame seeds – Boil 15-20 sesame seeds in a glass of water. Strain it and let it cool. Consume this concoction twice daily for a month to see results with hemorrhoids.

5. Onions – Consuming raw onions or soaked onions can help ease the blood flow and inflammation. Have an onion twice daily to relieve piles.

6. Radish – consuming radish juice twice daily for at least a month shows significant relief in piles.

7. Mango – Wash and grind mango seeds into a powder. Consume this as it is or with water twice daily to relieve the bleeding of piles.

8. Aloe vera – Application of aloe vera gel directly on the anus soothes the inflammation, relieves the burning and acts as a lubricant for smoother bowel movements.

9. Witch hazel – Apply witch hazel using sterile cotton pads and leave them for a period of 2-3 hours. Repeat this twice daily to shrink the swollen veins.

10. Tea – Brew a tea of collinsonia or stone root, goldenseal root and yarrow, together or separately. Strain and cool the concoction. Apply over the piles using a sterile cotton ball. Repeat this 2-4 times daily. This shall relieve the burning and the bleeding.

While we’re hoping our list of home remedies for hemorrhoids are handy, remember that if not treated in time, piles might get thrombosed, strangulated or infected. If none of the remedies above help, refer a qualified homeopath, naturopath or conventional medicine doctor.

– Dr. Rachita Narsaria