Hemorrhoids, often known as piles, are a common condition that can occur due to a variety of factors. Most people consider it an embarrassing condition, and they try to get rid of piles in secret. But it is past time for us to stop treating this illness as a taboo subject.
This exceedingly unpleasant physical condition can be caused by anything from heredity to acute constipation. You know you have hemorrhoids when the lower rectum and anal canal veins lining swell up, and you can’t pass bowels due to bleeding and pain. Piles bleeding can also induce severe anemia.
Piles can afflict people of all ages, although they are most common in the elderly, pregnant women, bedridden patients, and those with spinal cord injuries. It can be treated at home in its initial stage. In this article, we have explained everything about piles, its causes, home remedies to get rid of piles, and more. Keep reading!
In This Article
What Is A Hemorrhoid?
Hemorrhoids are blood vessels that are located in the muscles of the walls of the anus and the rectum. These are generally in the form of masses, clumps, or cushions of tissue in the anal canal (1).
Did You Know? The first description of hemorrhoids dates back to 1500 BC in Mesopotamia.
Why Do Piles Happen?
The term “piles” is used to refer to the condition of swollen and inflamed hemorrhoids. It is characterized by a hard lump in the anal canal and is accompanied by pain, itchiness, and bleeding (1).
Chronic constipation, lifting heavy weights, pregnancy, and straining while passing stools can aggravate piles.
Natural Remedies To Treat Piles (Hemorrhoids)
Many people feel shy to approach a doctor with this problem since it can involve an uncomfortable examination. If you are on the lookout for a cure, you can try the following hemorrhoids home remedies.
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- Sitz Bath
- Witch Hazel
- Tea Tree Oil
- Aloe Vera
- Coconut Oil
- Radish Juice
- Garlic
- Jatyadi Oil
- Aloe Vera
- Fiber Rich Food
- Tea Bags
- Black Seed Oil
- Green Tea
- Dried Figs
Home Remedies For Piles
1. Sitz Bath For Hemorrhoids
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need
- A bathtub
- Lukewarm water
What You Have To Do
- Add about three to four inches of lukewarm water to the bathtub and soak your private parts in it for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Do not add bath soap, bubble bath, or any such product to the water.
- Pat dry the area properly and gently once you are done with the soak.
How Often You Should Do This
Soak up to three times a day.
Why This Works
A shallow bath that you can soak in is called a sitz bath. The warmth of the water will soothe and relax the anal muscles and also give relief from the itchiness (2).
StyleCraze Says You can add 1 cup of Epsom salt to your warm bath to help soothe your hemorrhoids.
2. Witch Hazel For Hemorrhoids
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You Will Need
- Witch hazel water
- Cotton ball
What You Have To Do
Soak the cotton ball in the witch hazel water and place this on your anal area for a few minutes.
How Often You Should Do This
Use this remedy three to four times a day.
Why This Works
Witch hazel is often used to relieve irritation and inflammation of the skin. It will have a cooling effect when applied to the affected area. It is also an astringenti XA chemical agent or substance that helps shrink tissues and dry up secretions to cleanse the skin, tighten pores, or dry oils. and will prevent the development of infections (3). This remedy works well for external hemorrhoids.
Related: 24 Amazing Witch Hazel Benefits, How To Use, & Side Effects
3. Tea Tree Oil For Hemorrhoids
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need
- 2-3 drops tea tree oil
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- Cotton ball
What You Have To Do
- Mix the tea tree oil with the olive oil.
- Dip the cotton ball in this mixture and wipe the affected area with it.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this thrice a day.
Why This Works
Also known as melaleuca oil, tea tree oil is an excellent remedy for skin inflammation and itching. Its antimicrobial properties will keep the area clean and germ-free (4).
Caution
As tea tree oil is a strong essential oil, it can slightly sting even after dilution.
Related: 31 Health Benefits Of Tea Tree Oil And Its Side Effects
4. Aloe Vera For Hemorrhoids
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need
Aloe vera leaf
What You Have To Do
- Extract the gel from the leaf and apply topically for external hemorrhoids. Leave the gel on for 10 to 15 minutes.
- For internal hemorrhoids, remove the thorns from the leaf carefully and cut it into small strips. Place this in the freezer for some time. Insert this cool aloe leaf into the anus for a few minutes.
- You can also take aloe vera juice on an empty stomach in the morning. It enhances digestion and relieves constipation .
How Often You Should Do This
Do this twice or thrice every day.
Why This Works
This plant is well-known for its medicinal values. Its therapeutic and anti-inflammatory properties can help relieve hemorrhoids (5). You can also consume aloe vera juice to reduce the painful swelling of piles.
5. Coconut Oil For Piles
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need
Virgin coconut oil
What You Have To Do
Using clean fingers, apply coconut oil to the affected area.
How Often You Should Do This
You can apply it twice or thrice a day until the pain or lumps disappear.
Why This Works
Applying coconut oil gives relief from the burning and itching caused by piles. It reduces the inflammation and the pain (6). It is also a wide-range antimicrobial agent (7).
6. Radish Juice For Piles
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need
Fresh radishes
What You Have To Do
- Grate a few radishes and squeeze them to make some fresh radish juice.
- Since the taste is not pleasant, you can start off with ¼ cup and gradually increase it to half a cup over a period of one month.
How Often You Should Do This
Try drinking radish juice twice a day.
Why This Works
Radish juice is a great natural remedy for piles. This will enable you to flush out and detox your system, reducing the painful discomfort of piles. It improves digestion and relieves constipation, which is one of the main underlying causes of piles (8).
Related: 8 Awesome Benefits Of Radish | Nutrition Profile & Side Effects
7. Garlic For Piles
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need
- Garlic cloves
- A cup of water
- Gauze
What You Have To Do
1. For external hemorrhoids, peel three to four garlic cloves and boil them in the water for 10 minutes. Strain and cool this water in the refrigerator. Soak the cotton pad in this water and place it on the anus for 10 to 15 minutes.
2. For internal hemorrhoids, peel a garlic clove and press it a little so that the juices are oozing out slightly. Place this inside the rectum and leave it overnight.
How Often You Should Do This
You can repeat the garlic water gauze application thrice a day.
Why This Works
The anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties of garlic will help relieve the pain and swelling in no time (9).
8. Jatyadi Oil For Piles
Image: iStock
You Will Need
- 5-6 drops Jatyadi oil
- Lukewarm water
- A bathtub
What You Have To Do
- Fill one-fourth of the bathtub with lukewarm water and add the Jatyadi oil to it.
- Soak the affected area in this oil for five to six minutes.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this twice or thrice a day.
Why This Works
This Ayurvedic remedy is often prescribed by naturopathic doctors for treating piles and anal fissuresi XA tear in the lining of the anal canal caused mainly due to passing hard stools. It may also cause pain and bleeding. . The wound healing properties of this herbal oil come into play when treating piles (10).
9. Olive Oil For Piles
Image: iStock
You Will Need
Extra virgin olive oil
What You Have To Do
Warm up the oil slightly and apply on the affected area for relief.
How Often You Should Do This
Apply olive oil twice or thrice a day and also before going to bed.
Why This Works
In addition to its various properties for improving skin, hair, and health, olive oil is effective in easing pain and swelling caused by piles. This is because it possesses anti-inflammatory properties (11). You can also consume one teaspoon of the oil daily.
10. Fiber-Rich Food For Piles
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One of the main problems faced during hemorrhoids is the problem of passing stools. Passing stools can be difficult and can cause bleeding. If you have enough roughage (fiber) in your diet, the process can become easier. And if constipation is the cause of your problem, hemorrhoids can subside. It is advisable to consume 30 to 35 gms of fiber in a day to treat piles. Have ample amount of fiber-rich foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, etc. to keep piles at bay (12).
11. Tea Bags For Hemorrhoids
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need
- Black tea bags
- Hot water
What You Have To Do
- Soak the tea bag in hot water for a few minutes. Remove it and let it cool slightly.
- Apply this lukewarm water on the affected for five to 10 minutes.
- You can also refrigerate the tea bag for a couple of minutes and place this cool bag on the anus.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this twice or thrice daily until you get relief from piles.
Why This Works
Black tea is a natural astringent and also contains antioxidants. Placing tea bags can help in reducing the symptoms of piles (13). Tea also possesses anti-inflammatory properties and will reduce the swelling of the hemorrhoid muscles (14).
12. Black Seed Oil For Hemorrhoids
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need
- 1/2 teaspoon black seed oil
- 1 teaspoon vinegar
What You Have To Do
- Mix the black seed oil in the vinegar and apply to the affected area.
- To treat constipation (that is causing piles), add 1/2 teaspoon black seed oil to a cup of black tea decoction and drink this.
How Often You Should Do This
Apply the oil-vinegar mixture thrice a day and drink the decoction (with oil) twice a day.
Why This Works
Known otherwise as Kalonji oil, this potent herbal oil derived from black cumin seeds is used in the treatment of a number of internal and external health problems. Its therapeutic properties are mainly due to the compound calledthymoquinonei XA phytochemical compound found commonly in black seed oil and has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. present in it. Its key properties include anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, and immune support It regulates the digestive process (15).
13. Green Tea For Piles
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need
- Green tea bag or leaves
- A cup of hot water
- 1/2 teaspoon honey
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
What You Have To Do
- Steep the green tea in hot water for a couple of minutes.
- Strain and add honey and lemon to it. Drink it while it is warm.
- You can also use the decoction (without honey and lemon) to wash the affected area multiple times a day.
- Also, you can place the used tea bag on the affected area for a few minutes.
How Often You Should Do This
Drink two cups of green tea in a day.
Why This Works
The antioxidant properties of green tea fasten the healing process of hemorrhoids. Both ingestion and external application will reduce the swelling. Also, green tea enhances the digestive process and will give relief from constipation (16, 17).
14. Dried Figs For Hemorrhoids
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need
- 3-4 figs
- A glass of water
What You Have To Do
1. Wash the figs and soak them in the water overnight.
2. Eat two of these on an empty stomach early in the morning and the other two at night.
3. You can also drink the water the figs were soaked in.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this on a daily basis until the piles go away.
Why This Works
This remedy will definitely relieve the pain and swelling of the inflamed hemorrhoids. Figs exert a laxative effect on the digestive system and give relief from constipation (20).
Hemorrhoids or piles can definitely be a nuisance and cause extreme discomfort. If using the above-mentioned remedies has had zero to minimum effects on your body, and there is bleeding, please consult your doctor immediately.
Piles refers to a painful condition involving the swelling of the rectum and anal canal lining and the appearance of a hard lump in the passage. Pain, bleeding, difficulty passing stool, and excessive itchiness are some of the most characteristic symptoms of piles or swollen hemorrhoids. Left untreated, it can lead to health complications like severe anemia. Home remedies for piles are effective in the earlier stages and can help relieve the condition and its associated symptoms. Sitz baths, herbs like witch hazel and aloe vera, coconut oil, aloe vera, tea bags, tea tree oil, and fiber-rich foods can help you get rid of piles when used correctly and promptly.
