Hemorrhoids herbs and home remedies

Peony roots are used in herbal medicine to heal hemorrhoids.
Peony root ointment helps shrink hemorrhoids. Photo of peonies provided by Dreamstime.

Studies have shown that straining can cause reoccurring hemorrhoids. Try putting feet up on a low bench while sitting at the toilet. A foot stool really helps! This more natural position can bring great results.

Suffering with hemorrhoids is not fun! Ointments, cold packs and herbal compresses can also help relieve external hemorrhoids. Read on to find more home remedies.

 

man squatting to poop
Illustration of man squatting in a natural position provided by Wiki Commons. If you have a high toilet, consider investing in a step stool.

Herbs help heal hemorrhoids.

Herbs can help in various ways to heal hemorrhoids and other colon problems.

Use butternut tree bark and drink more water for softer stool.

The inner bark of the butternut tree or root can bring relief by softening the stool. When taking in tincture form, 20 to 30 drops should be given three times a day for two weeks. Start out with low doses. Butternut is also used to expel worms.

Hard stools can really aggravate hemorrhoids. If needed, use stool softeners from the pharmacy. They can help when nothing else works.

diagram of hemorrhoids
Diagram of internal and external hemorrhoids provided by Wiki Media.

Hemorrhoids are common in today's society.

About one third of the population suffers from the condition known as hemorrhoids.

Surveys show that the American population spends over $150 million annually on hemorrhoid products.

Hemorrhoids are swollen, inflamed veins and capillaries around the rectum. They may be classifies as either internal or external. Symptoms include itching, burning, pain, and bleeding.

Hemorrhoids have many causes.

Hemorrhoids are commonly caused by constipation, habitual straining, lack of water in the diet, overeating, lack of exercise, too much sitting, excess junk food, vitamin B6 deficiency, acid/alkaline imbalance, weightlifting, or pregnancy.

Certain drugs such as anti depressants, pain killers, and antacids can aggravate the problem.

Laxatives can also cause problems. Your body becomes immune to them after months of use, the stool becomes hard and sticky, and then hard pushing causes hemorrhoids.

Read more about treating constipation with natural remedies.

Conditions related to hemorrhoids

Liver exhaustion, allergies, obesity, diarrhea, and colon polyps may also be present in patients with hemorrhoids.

Polyp in the colon
Photo of a polyp provided by Wiki Media.

 

What are polyps? Colon polyps are fleshy growths on the inside the colon lining that may become cancerous over time. Polyps should be removed by a doctor. They are usually removed during a test known as a colonoscopy.

Hemorrhoids, polyps, and colon cancer can cause bleeding from the rectum. If there is blood in stool or on the back of your underwear, see professional healthcare provider to schedule a colonoscopy.

Colon cancer can be cured if caught early before spreading.

Treat hemorrhoids with a witch hazel and essential oil sitz bath.

Many herbal remedies have been used to treat hemorrhoids.

A witch hazel sitz bath is often recommended. Put a pint of witch hazel into a bath-tub filled with 2 inches of warm water and sit in it for at least 20 minutes. Add ten or fifteen drops of cypress essential oil, juniper essential oil, peppermint essential oil, or chamomile essential oil for extra strength.

 

Peony root ointment and suppositories for hemorrhoids

Peony root ointment applied externally can often heal hemorrhoids. With internal hemorrhoids, use peony ointment suppositories. Other ointments and suppositories to try include comfrey, horse chestnut, witch hazel, pilewort, yellowroot, or yarrow.

These herbs can be dried, crumbled or ground, mixed into 100% pure cocoa butter or coconut oil, rolled into the appropriate bullet shape, cooled (and hardened) in the refrigerator, then used as effective suppositories.

You can make your own suppositories at home. It is easy! See my herbal product recipe page for more information.

woman with hemorrhoid pain
Photo of a woman with painful hemorrhoids provided by Wiki Media.

Add more fiber to the diet, eat smaller meals, drink more water, and chew food completely.

Diet can help heal hemorrhoids and prevent new ones. Fiber and water are very important.

Psyllium or plantain seed husks, flax seeds, oatmeal, whole grains, beans, and legumes will help. Eat citrus fruit daily.

Add beets, apricots, cherries, rosehips, blackberries, olive oil, and buckwheat to the diet.

Avoid caffeine, eggs, gelatin, refined carbohydrates, and dairy products until symptoms disappear.

Keep meals small and chew food well.

Home remedies and herbal suppositories for hemorrhoids

Some people find that taking two tablespoons of cider vinegar with honey each morning helps speed the healing process. Applications of papaya or diluted lemon juice can relieve itching.

Aloe vera and mullein can soothe and promote healing. Others rely on butcher's broom, ginkgo biloba, St. John's wort, calendula, slippery elm, nettle, elderberry, yellowroot, myrrh, garlic, comfrey, or white oat bark, yarrow combinations.

Hemorrhoids are best treated in the early stages.

Over 10 million people in the United States alone report that they have hemorrhoids. Anal pain, discomfort, itching, bleeding, and swelling cause thousands of trips to the doctor every year.

In many societies, people look to home remedies. Treatment includes consuming more fiber and drinking more water.

Herbs also prove beneficial especially in the early stages. When treating hemorrhoids, choose herbs with anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Aloe vera, garlic, and guava are good choices according to Persian scientists.

*A note of interest – most herbs that are used in the treatment of hemorrhoids are also extremely useful in the treatment of varicose veins. Always consult with a healthcare professional before using any herbal remedy.

Sources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5871264/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9629089/

 

Blessings to you and yours!

Thanks so much for reading my blog. Jan.

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