Hemorrhoids, also known as piles, are veins in the lining of the anus and rectum that have become swollen and inflamed, typically producing burning pain, and an itch you really don’t want to scratch in public. They take a while to develop, being relatively uncommon in younger people, but are very common between the ages of 45 – 65.
By some estimates over half of the population of the Western world will experience hemorrhoids at some time in their lives, so it’s big business. Accordingly, there’s a vast range of commercial creams and medications designed to help, or, for those disinclined to support the pharmaceutical industry, there are also several natural hemorrhoid treatments which have proven to be very effective.
Natural cures for hemorrhoids
There are several different natural cures to recommended for hemorrhoid relief, from simple dietary changes, to dietary supplements, to natural herbal treatments and medicinal substances that can be taken internally and / or applied topically.
Treating hemorrhoids through diet
One of the simplest ways to start helping your body out is to increase fiber intake. Increased fiber (within limits) aids the digestion, softens the stool, and above all eases elimination, reducing pressure in the area and making for a clean wipe-up. The net result is to reduce the itching and general discomfort that comes from being afflicted with hemorrhoids.
The simplest way to get more fiber, in most cases, would be to eat more fruits and vegetables, ideally uncooked or with minimal processing. Or, if that doesn’t work, a natural fiber supplement such as psyllium seed is an excellent way to get plenty of fiber into the mix. Psyllium fiber is available in capsule form, or as a sugar-free flavored drink mix (the pink lemonade flavor is excellent, actually).
Notwithstanding fiber, it also helps to drink lots of water, and to cut back on salt, and look for foods rich in bioflavonoid compounds. Bioflavonoids are most often found in fresh fruit, and they act to reduce inflammation, and to strengthen the vascular system.
Natural medicinal substances
Four natural substances showing enormous potential treatment for natural hemorrhoid relief are:
- Butcher’s broom
- Horse chestnut
- Witch hazel
- Shark liver oil
Butcher’s broom can be taken internally capsule or tea form. It has systemic anti-inflammatory properties, and also tightens and tones the vascular walls in particular. It’s also useful for varicose veins, and phlebitis because of its ability to constrict blood vessels. Because of this it should be used with care by people with high blood pressure or prostate issues.
Horse chestnut works the same way, basically to astringe the hemorrhoid. It can be ingested it tea form or in a capsule, but is also commonly applied in compress form.
Witch hazel is an astringent prepared from the oil of the bark and leaves of the witch hazel plant. It’s known to be effective in reducing pain and swelling, and is used in a number of commercial hemorrhoid preparations. It should only be applied topically to the affected area, never taken internally.
Shark liver oil is also known to be effective to relieve pain and itching. It’s a powerful natural source of the chemical alkylglycerol, which is found in most commercial hemorrhoid medication, including Preparation H. Shark liver oil can be used externally, or ingested orally for a systemic effect.
Dealing with hemorrhoids
Another good idea for naturally treating hemorrhoids is to not irritate the area any more. Using moist towelettes instead of dry toilet paper can go a long way towards getting that much needed relief. Another common strategy is to take a long warm both to not only comfort and relax the area but increase blood flow to the swollen veins to help reduce the swelling and with that the pain.
Exercise is also helpful, as it tends to improve the tone of the vascular system and also you spend that much less time sitting on the problem. These might not be considered natural treatments in the conventional sense, but they can be a real comfort nevertheless