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Hemorrhoids are a fairly painful and unpleasant matter. Many people are reluctant to talk about them, yet they are one of the most common health problems.
Treating them is often not easy at all. Various products can be found on the market, but their effectiveness is either quite weak or only temporary.
On the other hand, natural medicine offers several extremely effective ways to get rid of hemorrhoids and thus resolve their unpleasant symptoms such as bleeding, pain, itching or swelling.
Not every method may suit everyone, so we decided to publish 12 such recommendations. That way you can choose what is most acceptable for you.
Also, if one method doesn’t work, there are many others at hand. The best results, however, come from combining several.
1. Nutmeg
This method has proven to be fairly effective for hemorrhoids: Take 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg and put it into a glass of water. Take it in the evening and then again in the morning.
Nutmeg is a rather strong spice, so under no circumstances take more than the stated amount. If you are sensitive or have a smaller body weight, reduce the dose to 1/8 teaspoon.
Use it daily until hemorrhoid problems improve, but not for more than 1 week. If nutmeg does not agree with you, stop the treatment and try something else.
2. Hot bath with Epsom salt
You will need a 15 to 20 minute bath 3 times a week to get rid of swelling, itching and fissures from hemorrhoids. This method is especially good for external hemorrhoids.
The bath should always be taken after a bowel movement.
Proceed as follows: Fill the tub with hot water and add Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate – available, for example, in pharmacies). If you don’t have Epsom salt you can also use ordinary table salt or sea salt.
Then soak in this bath for the mentioned 15 to 20 minutes.
3. Garlic and coconut oil
This method can be a bit controversial and painful, so it is rather for the brave. Its aim is to numb the affected area.
Take one clove of garlic, or just half, and crush it finely or blend it in a mixer. Add 0.5 dl of coconut oil and blend it into a smooth homogeneous mixture.
Then pour the mixture into suppository molds and put them in the freezer. After they solidify, insert such a suppository into the rectum.
Garlic should disinfect the area, but it will hurt. Coconut oil should help reduce the stinging. If you don’t feel up to it, try other, milder methods instead.
4. Witch hazel
Several people confirm that this method worked for them: Apply a cooled decoction of witch hazel to the affected area using cotton balls or a soft cloth.
Repeat the procedure 3 times a day. When you start to feel better, you can reduce the frequency to once a day.
5. Aloe vera
Aloe vera has strong healing and restorative effects. Take a fresh piece of aloe and apply the fresh pulp to the affected areas using cotton.
Repeat the treatment three times a day. Similar to the previous case, after symptoms improve reduce the application frequency to once a day.
6. Ice cubes
Ice cubes can be used in two ways.
EITHER you apply them directly to external hemorrhoids, OR insert small cubes (so it would be better to make small cylinders or ice balls) directly into the rectum.
The effect will be reduced swelling, suppressed itching, decreased sensitivity and finally a reduced blood supply to the hemorrhoids and shrinking of their size.
7. Stool softeners
There are products that can soften the stool in case it is usually very hard and causes problems during bowel movements.
If this problem concerns you, consult your doctor about using them.
8. Fiber-rich foods
Similarly to the previous point, fiber ensures that the stool will be softer and its passage through the intestines smoother. Such foods include almost all raw vegetables and fruits.
Another option is to take special products such as psyllium, which contains a large amount of fiber and facilitates bowel movements.
Many hemorrhoids form when strong pressure and hard stool irritate and damage the walls of the rectum.
9. Clean underwear and regular washing of intimate areas
Remember that with hemorrhoids it is important to wash intimate areas early and to change underwear regularly.
The reason is to prevent the growth of bacteria that can irritate the skin and mucous membranes and further worsen the symptoms of hemorrhoids.
If you suffer from bleeding or occasional small leaks of fluid, it is advisable to carry spare underwear. It should be cotton to avoid itching and chafing.
10. Regular exercise + 1 yoga exercise for hemorrhoids
Regular exercise supports good digestion and this in turn ensures that your stool will be regular and easy to pass.
That doesn’t mean you should spend hours in the gym. Simple walking is enough.
There is one very effective yoga exercise to strengthen the muscles of the anal sphincter, which then prevents the formation of new hemorrhoids and can even push back existing ones.
When performing this exercise proceed as follows:
1. Stand upright, keep your arms at your sides and interlace your fingers.
2. Take a deep breath and during a slow exhale gradually raise your arms upward as if you were pushing something heavy. At the same time clench the anal sphincter muscles.
3. When you exhale all the air, your arms should be above your head, palms facing upward. Do not rise onto your toes, but with the last of your strength and with your glutes contracted try as if to press that imaginary heavy load upward.
4. Then relax all the muscles, lower your arms and inhale. Then repeat the exercise 8 times.
Do this exercise every day.
11. Frequent changing of clothing
If you wear trousers, you should change and wash them more often. Residues of fluids, stool or mucus can pass through underwear and soil additional layers of clothing.
A wet and warm environment is then an ideal place for bacteria to multiply, which can then spread to the surroundings and onto other people, for example via the chair you sit on.
12. Drink plenty of water
This point is related to fiber. To ensure that your stool is easily passable and does not irritate the walls of the rectum, you need an adequate intake of fluids.
Avoid sugary drinks and caffeine, which lead to dehydration.
