Hemorrhoids are considered “varicose veins in an unfortunate place.” Hemorrhoids, also known as “piles,” are enlarged veins located in the lower rectum or anus that are caused by blood blockage in the veins of the hemorrhoidal complex. The hemorrhoids begin above the internal opening of the anus and may become large enough to protrude. The subsequent squeezing of them while sitting brings on pain.
If you suffer from hemorrhoids, check to see if you’ve been consuming too much coffee, alcohol, or fried or extremely spicy foods that may be irritating the liver and thus the anus.
Hardened stools and constipation are primary causes of hemorrhoids. Constipation may be caused by diet, lack of fluids, and certain medications, among other things. When someone is constipated, the wavelike motion (peristalsis) that moves the bowels through the intestines is nearly nonexistent, and the straining to have a bowel movement causes hemorrhoids. For more information, see the chapter on constipation. For now, here’s what you can do to ease hemorrhoids!
HERBS FOR HEMORRHOIDS
Good herbs to use internally include collinsonia, witch hazel, white oak bark, and plantain. Collinsonia is an astringent that especially affects the liver, veins, and colon. Witch hazel and white oak bark are astringent, which helps tighten prolapsed tissue, and plantain is soothing and anti-inflammator
Thrifty Cures!
Strange as it may seem, I have had excellent results treating hemorrhoids using a whittled out suppository-shaped piece of raw potato. Insert the suppository (lubricated with a bit of oil) high into the rectum at night before bed. Do this for three nights in a row, inserting a fresh one each night. Don’t try to remove it, as it will come out in your stool the next day.
A compress of chilled witch hazel extract can also be applied topically to hemorrhoids to reduce swollen tissue due to the presence of astringent tannins in the witch hazel.
Bleeding hemorrhoids will stop if you take 2 teaspoons (10 ml) of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water at every meal. You can also take 1/2 to 1 teaspoon (1 to 2 g) of cayenne pepper in a glass of water at every meal for several days until the hemorrhoids are gone, then once or twice a week for a good maintenance dose. Cayenne can also be taken as 1-capsule doses. This will clear up hemorrhoids and keep them from reoccurring.
Studies done in Europe found that horse chestnut helps to increase blood flow, strengthens connective tissue, tightens veins, and decrease redness and inflammation. One of its compounds, escin, has been found to close the small pores in the walls of the veins, making them less permeable, stronger, and reducing leakage of fluid into the surrounding tissues. Take horse chestnut capsules 2 to 3 times a day. Avoid horse chestnut if you have liver or kidney disease or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Health food stores usually carry some sort of topical herbal salve you can apply to hemorrhoids. These salves often contain astringent herbs such as white oak bark, horse chestnut, and yarrow; soothing anti-inflammatory herbs such as plantain and comfrey; and antiseptic herbs such as yellow dock and goldenseal. You can also apply apple cider vinegar (which is antiseptic and astringent), aloe vera gel (which is soothing and anti-inflammatory), and vitamin E (which promotes tissue regeneration) to hemorrhoids. Apply any of these healing and astringent substances externally to hemorroids up to three times daily, especially before bed.
HELPFUL NUTRIENTS FOR HEMORRHOIDS
Blueberries, blackberries, cranberry, raspberries, and cherries all contain flavonoids that strengthen the walls of veins. It is also often helpful to take a supplement of 500 mg of bioflavonoids plus rutin daily to strengthen the capillaries.
SOOTHING PRACTICES FOR HEMORRHOIDS
Though it takes a bit of effort, a sitz bath (hip bath) can bring great relief to hemorrhoids. Simply fill two baby bathtubs—one with a hot tea of witch hazel, white oak bark, comfrey, and plantain, the other with ice water. Sit your bottom into the hot tea bath for three minutes. Then go immediately to the ice cold bath for one minute. Alternate from one to the other. Always start with the hot bath and end with the cold one. Dry off, apply some healing salve to the inflamed hemorrhoids, and then dress comfortably.
EXERCISE FOR HEALING HEMORRHOIDS
One of the most helpful techniques for healing hemorrhoids is Kegel exercises. Simply tighten and relax the anal sphincter. This helps to strengthen and tone the area rather than it becoming flaccid and giving out as time passes. Sets of 21 flexes 3 times a day is a good goal.
Yoga postures such as the fish, plough, and shoulder stand are also helpful as a hemorrhoid preventative as well as for treatment.
This Easing Hemorrhoid Discomfort article is taken from :
The Country Almanac of Home Remedies - Brigitte Mars
