17 Reliable Home Remedies for Hemorrhoids

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases reports that roughly 75% of the world’s population will experience internal or external hemorrhoids and the associated symptoms at one point in their lives. Hospital statistics add that approximately 10 million United States residents suffer from this condition annually. With these distressing estimates in mind, we aim to present natural alternatives for treatment in the form of home remedies for hemorrhoids.

The ingredients presented below, together with detailed steps for application, contain essential constituents for naturally healing hemorrhoids. We have covered remedies for both internal and external hemorrhoids, which can be taken orally or applied topically. See what you have to do for relief and treatment below.

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Find relief with these home remedies for hemorrhoids.

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1. Sitz Bath

Sitz baths with always be at the top of home remedies for hemorrhoid pain relief. For those who aren’t familiar with the concept, a sitz bath involves soaking the key area (rear) in warm water, with or without additional ingredients. The results of a sitz bath are soothed hemorrhoids and shrunken veins.

Instructions

• Let warm water run in your bath tub, enough to cover your hips.
• Add either a handful of Epsom salts or ½ cup of apple cider vinegar, if you’d like.
• Sit in the water for 20 minutes for the effects to start showing.
• Repeat for 20 minutes at a time every 4-5 hours, if needed.

2. Aloe Vera

Among anti-inflammatory home remedies for external hemorrhoids, aloe vera shines through proven effectiveness. Its gel or juice greatly reduces irritation and itching for cases of both internal and external hemorrhoids. See how you can use this ingredient orally and topically below.

Instructions

• Apply around 1 teaspoon of aloe vera gel directly to the affected area for external hemorrhoids.
• Slice 3-4 leaves of aloe vera into strips and clear them of any sharp edges for internal use.
• Freeze them and, once they’re ice cold, apply to the hemorrhoid.

3. Turmeric

Indian home remedies for hemorrhoids are quite popular, and all for a very good reason. Turmeric is packed with curcumin, the active ingredient that provides antimicrobial and antiseptic properties. Additionally, turmeric can relieve inflammation and treat hemorrhoids naturally.

Instructions

• Combine 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder with 2 teaspoons of filtered water.
• Mix well and add 1 teaspoon of glycerin, continuing to stir.
• Add a bit of the paste to a cotton swab.
• Apply the paste on the hemorrhoid.
• Repeat 3-4 times during the day for relief.

4. Witch Hazel

One of the home remedies for hemorrhoids during pregnancy that are safe to use is witch hazel. It has been used for centuries owing to its healing astringent properties. Its status as an astringent is thanks to tannin, a substance witch hazel is rich in.

Instructions

• Take a cotton ball and drench it in a cup of witch hazel.
• Apply directly to the affected area.
• Repeat at least 3 times a day for the best effects.

5. Olive Oil

Olive oil isn’t amazing just for healthy food, but also for its natural healing properties. It has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits that play a major role in treating hemorrhoids. It shrinks blood vessels and improves their elasticity so the pain and issue itself subside. We can thank its oleic acid, squalene and phenolic constituents for these properties.

Instructions

• Swallow 1 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil on a daily basis.
• Combine olive oil with the juice from crushed plum leaves as an alternative.
• Apply this topically every day for 4-5 days to start seeing results.

6. Black Tea

Witch hazel isn’t the only ingredient among home remedies for hemorrhoids that contains tannic acid. Black tea is also high in this substance and, as a result, has trusted astringent properties. In turn, it helps lower pain and swelling that commonly come with hemorrhoids.

Instructions

• Place a black tea bag in a cup of hot water.
• Remove it after 2-3 minutes and apply the tea bag on the affected area for 10 minutes.
• Repeat 3-4 times throughout the day.

7. Tea Tree Oil

As you’ll soon find out, quite a few oils are part of home remedies for hemorrhoids. Tea tree oil helps thanks to cineole and terpinen, two active constituents that give it a huge range of properties. From antimicrobial and antiviral to antibacterial and antiseptic, tea tree oil has it all. However, always make sure you dilute tea tree oil in a carrier oil, as it’s quite strong.

Instructions

• Add 1-2 drops of tea tree oil to 1 teaspoon of castor oil. Use rosemary or lavender oil as substitutes.
• Apply the mixed oils on the affected region with a Q-tip.
• Repeat this on a daily basis for positive, long-term effects.

8. Almond Oil

Yet another oil that serves as a home remedy for hemorrhoids is almond oil. If you have external hemorrhoids you can count on its emollient qualities for natural healing. Also, it has deep tissue absorption benefits that can significantly reduce inflammation associated with painful hemorrhoids.

Instructions

• Pour 1 teaspoon of almond oil in a cup.
• Soak a cotton pad in the oil.
• Apply gently to the external hemorrhoid.
• Use almond oil 4-5 times daily for the results you desire.

9. Apple Cider Vinegar

Among home remedies for hemorrhoids, apple cider vinegar helps with both internal and external treatment. When used in its unfiltered form, it helps reduce the swelling and inflammation of vessels. This ingredient is also useful for other popular home remedies, like food poisoning or coughs, so it’s worth having a bottle around the house.

Instructions

• Dip a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and apply directly to the hemorrhoid for external use.
• Repeat the process 3-4 times a day for the swelling to subside.
• Drink 1 glass of water with 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar for internal hemorrhoids.
• Repeat 2 times every day for it to work.

10. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is rich in medium chain saturated oils, essential elements for hemorrhoid prevention. These substances provide antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that help you avoid and treat hemorrhoids. Like in the case of apple cider vinegar, coconut oil can also be used for a wide range of issues, from allergies to athlete’s foot.

Instructions

• Melt 2-3 teaspoons of coconut oil.
• Soak a cotton pad in the melted oil.
• Put the pad on the hemorrhoid and keep it on for 3-4 minutes.
• Repeat 4-5 times daily for pain relief.

11. Potatoes

Many wouldn’t expect potatoes to be helpful in home remedies for hemorrhoids, but they actually have benefits that relieve common symptoms. Indeed, potatoes might not cure the condition, but their astringent properties will soothe itching and discomfort that often come with hemorrhoids.

Instructions

• Wash, peel and slice 2 potatoes into small pieces.
• Place the chunks in a blender and mix until you get a watery substance.
• Apply the potato paste to a sterile gauze.
• Fold the gauze in half and place on the hemorrhoid for 10 minutes.
• Repeat this process daily for it to be effective.

12. Lemon Juice

In addition to being an amazing source of vitamin C, lemons are also rich in antioxidants. These nutrients help build up the wall of your blood vessels to treat hemorrhoids. Freshly squeezed lemon juice can be used for internal and external hemorrhoids alike, so don’t hesitate to use it. There might be a stinging sensation initially when using topically, but it will pass in a few seconds.

Instructions

• Squeeze the juice from 1-2 lemons.
• Drench a cotton ball in the fresh juice.
• Apply with care to the external hemorrhoid.
• Combine ½ teaspoon of lemon juice, honey and ginger juice each for internal use.
• Drink the mixture on a daily basis.

13. Castor Oil

Even though castor oil is only for home remedies for hemorrhoids that are external, it’s a safe and natural way to soothe the pain. Its healing properties are partly thanks to its monounsaturated fatty acid content, namely ricinoleic acid. As a side note, it’s also worth investing in a bottle of castor oil if you have troubles with split ends.

Instructions

• Pour 1 teaspoon of castor oil into a cup or glass.
• Take a cotton pad and dip it in the oil.
• Apply to the affected area for 3-4 minutes at a time.
• Do this 2-3 times a day to relieve hemorrhoid symptoms.

14. Garlic

While you can always use garlic suppositories, the most common home remedies for hemorrhoids garlic is involved in contain fresh cloves. Garlic is high in allicin, an active compound that battles bacteria and fungi. Moreover, garlic promotes healthy circulation, a key aspect regarding hemorrhoids. In order to not aggravate your hemorrhoids, make sure that you coat the garlic with a safe oil before inserting internally. The garlic will be naturally eliminated from your body during the following bowel movement.

Instructions

• Clean 1 clove of garlic.
• Dip the clove in coconut oil or olive oil.
• Insert it into the rectum before going to sleep every night.
• Repeat nightly for 4-5 days to start seeing results.

15. Rutin Supplements

Many patients claim that taking rutin supplements had a huge impact on their hemorrhoids. To put it shortly, rutin is a bioflavonoid that can be found in plants, such as cranberries, oranges or asparagus. This compound reduces inflammation, reduces the size of the hemorrhoid and ultimately helps eliminate it altogether.

Instructions

• Take 500 mg of rutin twice daily.
• Repeat for 1-2 weeks without skipping any days.
• Ask your doctor about taking rutin if you don’t feel comfortable adding a supplement to your diet.

16. Cold Compress

The oldest of all home remedies for hemorrhoids and fissures in the book is a good cold compress. It has the main advantage that it doesn’t require any extra ingredients you might have to leave the house for. No matter if you use cold water or ice, the low temperature will help lower inflammation and swollen blood vessels. The pain will slowly be gone and your hemorrhoid soon will be too.

Instructions

• Soak a clean cloth in a bowl full of ice water.
• Wring well and apply carefully to the painful hemorrhoid.
• Wrap a handful of ice cubes in a thin towel as an alternative.
• Keep the cold compress or ice pack on for 10-15 minutes at a time.
• Apply 4-5 times a day for relief or whenever you feel acute pain.

17. Fiber

To conclude our home remedies for hemorrhoids, we’ll present one of the most significant lifestyle factors that affect this condition: fiber. A lack of fiber leads to harder stools and painful bowel movements. To ease the strain on your hemorrhoids and symptoms like bleeding, simply add more fiber to your daily diet. The average amount of fiber you should be getting on a daily basis is 25-30 grams.

Furthermore, 8-10 glasses of water a day are just as important for softening stools. You can also drink unsweetened tea or freshly squeezed fruit juices to increase your intake of fluids. Without fiber and fluids, you will be putting yourself through more pain than necessary and aggravating your hemorrhoids at the same time.

Sources

• Fresh vegetables
• Flaxseeds
• Pears
• Pecans
• Whole grains
• Almonds
• Prunes
• Pistachios
• Fiber supplements (acacia fiber, flaxseed, etc.)

Conclusion

To put it in a nutshell, home remedies for hemorrhoids are generally accessible to all. These ingredients are easy to find, simple to apply and offer visible relief after a few days of constant use. If you still feel symptoms at the same intensity, seek the help of your doctor for additional advice. However, these healing ingredients should help most of the time.

What remedy gave you hemorrhoid relief? Is there a particular one you would recommend to others? Let’s get the conversation going in the comments below.

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