13 Best Home Remedies for Piles
When you bring up the subject of piles, people often feel embarrassed to talk about it. But if you just ignore the problem, it will blow up and become worse and the pain may become unbearable. The good news is that you can treat it naturally at home – if it’s in its initial stages. This is why early treatment and intervention is the key to reversing it. Let’s talk about the natural remedies for piles.
How to Treat Hemorrhoids Naturally at Home?
Here’s a list of home remedies for haemorrhoids you can try out before paying a visit to your doctor.
1. Sitz Bath
The Sitz bath is another term for a lukewarm bath. This works because the water gently relaxes the muscles in your anal canal, providing you with the relief you need.
What You Will Need:
- A bathtub
- Lukewarm water
What to Do:
- Fill up the bathtub with lukewarm water.
- Soak your anal canal and genitals by sitting in the water for about 15 minutes.
- Pat dry the area carefully when you’re done and remember to do this thrice a day for best results.
2. Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is a powerful remedy for soothing inflammation in the muscles and has astringent properties. It can be used for piles treatment at home.
What You Will Need:
- Witch hazel
- A few cotton balls
What to Do:
- Soak the cotton balls in the witch hazel solution.
- Apply them gently to the affected anal areas for a few minutes.
- Repeat this up to four times a day for best results.
3. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is known to cleanse germs and bacteria from your anal area. It also soothes inflammation and is great for your skin.
What You Will Need:
- Two to three drops of tea tree oil
- A teaspoon of olive oil
- Cotton balls
What to Do:
- Combine the tea tree oil with the olive oil to make a natural blend.
- Soak cotton balls in this and apply this to the affected area.
- Wipe and repeat this up to three times a day.
4. Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe vera for piles is known to possess anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, thus relieving inflammation and pain stemming from haemorrhoids.
What You Will Need:
- Aloe vera gel (freshly extracted from the leaf)
What to Do:
- If you’ve got a case of external haemorrhoids, just extract the gel from the leaf and apply it to the affected areas, letting it sit for about 15 minutes.
- If your haemorrhoids are internal, remove the thorns of the leaves and cut them up into strips. Refrigerate them in the freezer compartment and insert these into your anus to relieve inflammation.
- Do this treatment at least three times per day.
5. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties which help relieve pain. They fight against bacteria to help speed up the healing process.
What You Will Need:
- Extra virgin coconut oil
What to Do:
- Simply apply coconut oil directly to the affected areas using your fingers.
- Make sure they are clean before applying.
- Do this remedy three times a day until the lumps go away.
6. Organic Radish Juice
Organic radish juice is one of the best ways to get rid of piles naturally. The fresh juice cleanses your system, relieves pain and constipation, and boosts digestion too.
What You Will Need:
- Fresh organic radishes
What to Do:
- Grate the radishes and run them through a blender or juicer.
- Start by drinking a quarter cup of this juice every day and work your way up to half a cup.
- Drink twice a day until you notice the pain going away.
7. Garlic
Garlic works wonders for piles as it can not only heal it but also prevent it. It lessens the pain in the anal area and soothes inflammation.
What You Will Need:
- Fresh cloves of raw garlic
- One cup of water
- Gauze
What to do
- Boil the garlic cloves and strain the water. Refrigerate, soak cotton balls in this, and apply to external haemorrhoids.
- For internal haemorrhoids, unpeel the clove and place it in the rectum. Squeeze to get the juices flowing and let it stay inside overnight.
- Do this garlic remedy three times a day for best results.
8. Eat High-Fibre Foods
Wondering how to avoid piles? Low fibre intake is one of the biggest reasons for constipation and pain. The extra roughage will help soothe inflammation and get your bowels moving smoother.
What You Will Need:
- About 30 grams or more of fibre intake every day
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
What to Do:
- Go to your farmer’s market and buy organic fresh produce.
- You ideally want fresh fruits and vegetables for your diet.
- You can also add nuts and seeds but skip the dairy and meats since these make piles worse.
- Make salads, soups, or delicious recipes of these fibre-rich foods and eat two to three servings a day and repeat every day for good results.
9. Black Tea
The tannic acid content in black tea is known to soothe haemorrhoids by getting rid of the inflammation and swelling. It also improves blood clotting and prevents excessive bleeding.
What You Will Need:
- Black tea bags
- Water
What to Do:
- Bring the water to a boil and soak the tea bags for a few minutes.
- Remove and let the black tea cool down.
- Apply this lukewarm remedy to your anal regions for 10 minutes and repeat thrice a day to relieve the pain.
10. Black Cumin Seed Oil
Black seed oil contains a compound known as thymoquinone which possesses antioxidant, analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. That helps with piles.
What You Will Need:
- Half a teaspoon of black seed oil
- A teaspoon of vinegar
What to Do:
- Blend the black seed oil with the vinegar and use it on the affected areas.
- You can also drink this remedy by adding to black tea for pain relief.
- Repeat the remedy thrice a day and drink the tea concoction at least twice a day for best results.
11. Green Tea
Green tea is loaded with beneficial antioxidants that speed up the healing process.
What You Will Need:
- Green tea bags
- A cup of hot water
- Half a teaspoon of lime juice
- Half a teaspoon of honey
What to Do:
- Dip the green tea bags in hot water and let them sit for a few minutes.
- Add the honey and lime juice to it.
- Drink it at least three times a day.
- You can also skip adding the honey and lime juice. Alternatively, you can apply green tea water on the affected areas a few times a day for relief.
12. Milk and Lemons
Milk gives your body a host of beneficial vitamins and minerals that speed up the healing process. Lemons have Vitamin C which boost nutrient absorption, prevent constipation, and lessen the swelling.
What You Will Need:
- A glass of milk (hot)
- Half a lemon
What to Do:
- Extract the juice from the lemon by squeezing and add it to a glass of hot milk.
- Drink up instantly since you don’t want it to curdle.
- Drink every few hours to prevent excessive bleeding and treat your piles naturally.
13. Dried Figs
Dried figs are known to help with the pain and swelling that comes with piles. This remedy is also excellent for cases of constipation since figs produce a laxative effect on your digestive system.
What You Will Need:
- Three to four freshly dried figs
- Some water
What to Do:
- Rinse the figs in water to remove dust and grime. Soak them overnight and eat two to three every day early in the morning (preferably, on an empty stomach).
- You can run the figs through a blender and add it to your fruit and veggie smoothies too.
- Drink every day and see your piles go away.
What Foods to Eat and Avoid for Haemorrhoids?
Your first mission is to make sure you get 25 to 35 grams of fibre every day through your diet. For what and what not to eat to worsen your condition, we’ve got you covered below:
1. Start with Beans and Whole Grains
Beans and whole grains are healthy and natural sources of dietary fibre. The fibre stimulates regular bowel movements which brings relief from swelling and constipation. Eat foods like barley, bran flakes, black beans, adzuki beans, and lima beans.
2. Eat Fruits and Vegetables
For fruits, we recommend loading up on antioxidant-rich fruits like blueberries, strawberries, Indian gooseberry, bananas, and pears. Vegetables like artichokes, green peas, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts are also good for treating piles naturally.
3. Drink More Water
At least eight to ten glasses a day, every day. It’s free, gets your bowels moving, and is a fantastic way to relieve constipation.
4. Don’t Take Too Many Laxative Supplements
If your doctor advises it, then fine. Don’t take too many of these if you don’t want to tax your digestive system and force your rectum muscles to work harder. Osmotic laxative supplements are the best in this regard since they don’t cause constipation.
How to Prevent Piles?
It doesn’t take a lot to prevent piles but it starts with developing healthy habits. Here’s your checklist to preventing piles:
1. Don’t Hold It In
If you’ve got the urge, visit the washroom. Don’t hold it in since it can worsen your piles by putting pressure on the veins in your rectum.
2. Don’t Strain
When you go to the bathroom, don’t force your bowel movements or try to push it out on your own. This could lead to excessive bleeding following more inflammation. Let your bowels move naturally and take your time.
3. Exercise
Exercising moves your lymphatic system and keeps your colon working. This relieves pressure and lowers the burden on your rectum. Avoid sitting for long hours and move more.
When to Visit the Doctor?
You should visit the doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Your stools look maroon in colour or tarry.
- You experience excessive bleeding, including rectal.
- Your symptoms don’t go away despite using OTC creams, medications, and any of the above remedies we’ve listed. If your symptoms worsen, last longer, or don’t show any signs of improvement, then that’s a telltale sign.
- If fibre supplements seem to have no effect on the condition of your haemorrhoids.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about haemorrhoids and their answers below:
1. What Yoga Asanas Should I Perform to Get Rid of Piles at Home?
For relief from piles (haemorrhoids) and to get your colon functioning optimally, you can do the following asanas at home.
- Sarvanga Asana
- Child’s Pose
- Squatting Pose
- Ashwini Mudra
- Padhastasana (hand-under-foot posture)
- Vajrasana
- Malasana
2. What Should I Wear If I am Suffering from Piles?
Don’t wear tight or restrictive clothing that strains the muscles in the rectum area. Go for loose, cotton clothing and wear clothes that absorb moisture. Opt for clothing crafted from natural fibres instead of synthetic ones. For women, avoid wearing pantyhose, spandex clothing, garters, and any tight pants that don’t go well with your contours or aren’t form-fitting.
Piles may be an embarrassing subject to talk or read about but it is imperative you know about it for your benefit. If your flare-ups get worse, don’t hesitate to get the medical treatment or professional help you need. Home remedies work best only if piles is in its mild or initial stages which means you will require a professional medical treatment plan if your condition is in its advanced stages.
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