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Hemorrhoids are a fairly painful and unpleasant issue. Many people are reluctant to talk about them, even though they are one of the most common health problems.
Their treatment is often not simple at all. Various preparations can be found on the market, but their effectiveness is either quite weak or only temporary.
On the other hand, natural medicine offers several highly effective ways to get rid of hemorrhoids and thus resolve their unpleasant symptoms such as bleeding, pain, itching, or swelling.
Not every method will suit everyone, so we decided to publish 12 such recommendations. This way you can choose what is most acceptable for you.
So, if one method doesn’t work, you have 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 fairly strong spice, so under no circumstances use it in a larger amount than stated. If you are sensitive or have a lower body weight, reduce the dose to 1/8 teaspoon.
Use it daily until the hemorrhoid problems improve, but not for longer 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 regular 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 goal 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 dcl of coconut oil and blend it into a smooth homogeneous mass.
Then pour the mixture into suppository molds and put them in the freezer. After they harden, insert such a suppository into the rectum.
The garlic should disinfect the area, but it will hurt. The coconut oil should reduce the stinging. If you don’t feel up to it, try other, milder methods.
4. Witch hazel
Several people confirm that this method worked for them: Apply a cooled decoction (of course) 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 cutting from an aloe plant and apply the fresh pulp to the affected areas with a cotton swab.
Repeat the treatment three times a day. Similarly 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.
You can either apply them directly to external hemorrhoids, or insert small cubes (so it would be better to make cylinders or ice spheres) directly into the rectum.
The effect will be reduced swelling, suppressed itching, decreased sensitivity and finally a restriction of blood flow to the hemorrhoids and shrinkage of their volume.
7. Stool softeners
There are preparations that can soften the stool in cases where it is usually very hard and causes problems during bowel movements.
If this problem concerns you, consult your doctor about their use.
8. Foods rich in fiber
Similar to the previous case, fiber ensures that the stool will be softer and its passage through the intestines easier. Such foods are almost all raw vegetables and fruits.
It is also possible to take special products directly, such as psyllium, which contains an excessive amount of fiber and facilitates bowel movements.
Many hemorrhoids arise in cases where 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 prevent itching and chafing.
10. Regular exercise + 1 yoga exercise for hemorrhoids
Regular exercise supports good digestion and that in turn ensures that your stool will be regular and easy to evacuate.
This does not mean you should spend hours in the gym. Simple walking is enough.
There is one very effective yoga exercise to strengthen the anal sphincter muscles, 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 along your body and clasp your hands by interlacing your fingers.
2. Take a deep breath and during a slow exhale gradually raise your arms upwards as if you were pushing something heavy with them. At the same time clench the anal sphincter muscles.
3. When you exhale all the air, your hands should be above your head, palms facing upwards. Do not rise onto your toes, but with your buttocks still clenched try with the last of your strength to press that imaginary heavy load up there.
4. Then relax all muscles, lower your arms and inhale. Then repeat the exercise 8 times.
Do this exercise every day.
11. Frequent changing of clothes
If you wear pants, you should change and wash them more often. Traces of fluids, stool or mucus can pass through underwear and soil additional layers of clothing.
A moist and warm environment is then an ideal place for the reproduction of bacteria, which then get onto 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 passes easily and does not irritate the rectal walls, you need an adequate intake of fluids.
Avoid sugary drinks and caffeine, which lead to dehydration.
