Hemorrhoids, or piles, are the swollen, inflamed veins found in the anus and in the lower rectum. They may result from various causes, such as straining during bowel movements (most common cause) or from increased pressure during pregnancy. There are many effective ways to treat hemorrhoids and most people get relief from using home treatments and making certain lifestyle changes.
8 Natural Remedies for Hemorrhoids
1. Relieve Discomfort
- To relieve swelling, apply cold compresses or ice packs on the anal area.
- Soaking the anal area in warm water for 10-15 minutes twice or thrice a day provides relief for your symptoms.
- A hot sitz bath that fits the toilet is also effective.
2. Apply Homemade Remedies
- Soak toilet paper or cotton ball with apple cinder vinegar and apply on the anal area and do this until the inflammation subsides and symptoms improve. You can also add half a cup of to your sitz bath.
- Rutin is a compound found in many plants like buckwheat, grapefruit, cranberries, lemons, oranges, and asparagus (to name a few) and you can buy it in supplement form may be the best option.
- Apply coconut oil directly to hemorrhoids, rinse and repeat.
- Witch hazel is an astringent and healing tree and is one of the oldest known natural remedies for hemorrhoids. Just soak a pad or cotton ball with witch hazel and apply it to the area.
- Simply applying aloe vera to the affected area can relieve symptoms.
3. Take Topical Treatments
- Over-the-counter creams or suppositories for hemorrhoids contain hydrocortisone, which reduce inflammation.
- You can also use pads that contain a numbing agent or witch hazel to relieve symptoms.
- Take acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin to relieve pain and discomfort.
4. Improve Lifestyle
- Drink six to eight glasses of water and other liquids (not alcohol) each day to help keep stools soft.
- Being overweight or obese places a lot of pressure in the anal area, so losing weight will help reduce pressure relieve symptoms.
- Go as soon as you feel the urge. If you wait to pass a bowel movement and the urge goes away, your stool could become dry and be harder to pass.
- Avoid staining, for straining and holding your breath when trying to pass a stool creates greater pressure in the veins in the lower rectum.
5. Change Habits
- Avoid sitting too long, particularly on the toilet, for it can increase the pressure on the veins in the anus.
- If you have to work while sitting all day, use a doughnut-shaped padded cushion on your chair and take short breaks regularly to get up from your chair.
- Western toilets are designed for sitting on while moving the bowels. However, changing from this position to a squatting position helps relieve pain and discomfort from hemorrhoids.
6. Have Good Hygiene
- Clean the anal area after bowel movements using soft toilet paper or moist towelettes that do not contain alcohol or perfume.
- Besides, clean the anal area gently with warm water while bathing, avoid using soap, perfumed or alcohol-based wipes in this area because it can aggravate your problem, then gently dry the anal area after bathing.
7. Increase Fiber Intake
Eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Doing so softens the stool and increases its bulk, which will help you avoid the straining that can cause hemorrhoids or worsen symptoms from existing hemorrhoids. Studies have shown that over-the-counter fiber supplements, such as Metamucil and Citrucel, improve overall symptoms and bleeding from hemorrhoids. These products help keep stools soft and regular.
| Foods High in Fiber |
Examples |
| Fruits |
Apple, raspberries, banana, pear, orange, strawberries, raisins, dried figs |
| Grains, cereal and pasta |
Whole-wheat spaghetti, barley, oat bran muffin, bran flakes, oatmeal, popcorn, brown rice, rye bread, whole-wheat or multigrain bread |
| Legumes, nuts and seeds |
Almonds, lentils, split peas, black beans, baked beans, lima beans, pecans, pistachio nuts, sunflower seed kernels |
| Vegetables |
Artichoke, broccoli, green peas, turnip greens, sweet corn, Brussels sprouts, potato, with skin, carrot, tomato paste |
8. Do Exercises
These exercises have the effect of boosting blood circulation in the anal region.
- Stand erect with both hands to your sides. Gradually rise on the tip of your toes while simultaneously raising your arms till they are high above your head. Then, bend forward till your fingertips nearly touch the floor.
- Repeating this exercise several times daily causes the anal sphincter muscles to rise. These movements on the sphincter progressively increase the flow of blood, thus reducing any thrombosed haemorrhoids.
Hemorrhoids Exercise -2
- Bend forward with your arms outstretched above your head. Attempt to touch the floor with the flat palms of your hands.
- You have to do this exercise in the morning and evening for two to three minutes.
Here is a video of yoga poses for hemorrhoids.