{"id":8136,"date":"2021-05-19T13:46:55","date_gmt":"2021-05-19T13:46:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wondermentgardens.com\/?p=8136"},"modified":"2021-05-19T13:54:18","modified_gmt":"2021-05-19T13:54:18","slug":"hemorrhoids-natural-solutions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wondermentgardens.com\/hemorrhoids-natural-solutions\/","title":{"rendered":"Natural Solutions for Hemorrhoids"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
Dear Annie,<\/p>
I woke up this morning with terrible, painful, hemorrhoids. Is there anything natural I can do? I am somewhat constipated and have recently quit smoking (about a week ago,) but otherwise am a very healthy woman in my late 30\u2019s.<\/p>
Thank you for reaching out, I am so sorry to hear about your pain. Hemorrhoids are a common symptom of drastic dietary and lifestyle changes. Even positive changes can shift our bodies internal chemistry, thereby shifting the floral balance of our gut, specifically, in the rectum and anus.<\/p>
The good news is that natural and herbal remedies can help relieve the pain, sooth inflammation and vitalize the system, helping it return to a more balanced or harmonious state.<\/p>
As always let us begin by looking at the physiology of hemorrhoids, then we\u2019ll get into some treatment recommendations.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
The following contains affiliate links. That means, if you purchase a product through one of the links, I make a commission at no additional cost to you.\u00a0 I appreciate it each time you click on or purchase from one of my links.\u00a0 Thank you for your support.<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t Hemorrhoids are varicose veins in and around the anus and rectum. Varicose veins are tender, swollen, twisted veins, where blood pools, rather than flowing smoothly. Hemorrhoids are a common condition, especially in western countries like the United States, Australia, and Great Britain, counties where there is a low emphasis on dietary fiber, and where people tend to eat more processed foods and get less exercise.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t The two main types of Hemorrhoids are internal or external. Either type can manifest individually or both at the same time.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t Here the swollen, stagnant veins are inside the rectum. This type isn\u2019t usually a big problem as they don\u2019t normally cause discomfort. In fact, many people don\u2019t even feel them or know they\u2019re there. The main symptoms include intermittent bleeding along with bowel movements, seen as a show of bright red blood on a tissue or in the toilet. You may also notice puss passing along with the stool, especially during difficult movements. Sometimes, internal hemorrhoids can cause slight irritation, itching or burning during or after a bowel movement.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t Internal hemorrhoids can become more problematic if they prolapse. When hemorrhoids prolapse, the swollen vein protrudes below the anal opening appearing like small grapelike masses around the anal sphincter. A prolapsed hemorrhoid can be very painful.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t Ordinarily more problematic, external hemorrhoids present as swollen, inflamed, painful, veins under the skin around the anus. Common symptoms include rectal pain, itching, generalized discomfort, bleeding, and swelling around the anus.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t Almost exclusively an issue associated with external hemorrhoids, a thrombosed hemorrhoid occurs when blood pools in an already stagnant hemorrhoidal vein and forms a blood clot. Presenting as a hard lump near the anal opening. This is a very painful and uncomfortable situation with severe swelling, pain, and tenderness. It may be difficult to have bowel movements, or even sit or stand for any length of time.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t Anytime there is rectal bleeding go to your doctor. DO NOT assume it is hemorrhoids. Rectal bleeding is a symptom of several serious and life-threatening illnesses, including cancer. If you have rectal bleeding, go to your doctor!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t When using herbal and natural therapies it is important to see each person and their situation as unique. As herbalists we look beyond the symptoms (in this case hemorrhoids,) to the root cause. With this in mind let us return to the initial question where an otherwise healthy adult woman is experiencing external and possibly thrombosed hemorrhoids.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t My guess is that the hemorrhoids are caused by a drastic lifestyle change, in this case quitting smoking.\u00a0 Nicotine is a stimulating laxative, meaning that it encourages bowel movements by increasing contractions of intestinal muscles. Plus, chronic use of laxatives can make us dependent on their use. \u00a0\u00a0Further, constipation, and other intestinal difficulties like nausea and gas are common symptoms of withdrawal from tobacco products. Unfortunately, symptoms like these may persist for a few weeks, while the body\u2019s chemistry finds a new healthier harmony.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t Lifestyle adjustments, along with self-care and herbal remedies, go a long way to restore the system. Easing not only gut-and intestinal related symptoms but also aiding in overall nicotine withdrawal process. Let\u2019s start with lifestyle suggestions.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t Black tea bag compresses are highly astringent and help decrease the swelling, itch and generally uncomfortable feelings of hemorrhoids. To prepare as a compress, steep 1 regular, commercial black tea bag in \u00bc cup boiling water until everything is cool. Discard the liquid, slightly wring the liquid from the bag and apply it to the hemorrhoids. Leave in place for up to 30 minutes.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t *Be warned \u2013 although this is a safe and effective remedy, the tea will permanently stain any fabric or bedding. Try using a soft cloth or menstrual pad in an old pair of underwear to hold the tea bag in place. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t Herbal suppositories allow for herbal preparations to be inserted into body orifices, in this case the rectum. They are easy to make and to use. (See the recipe below.)\u00a0<\/p> For the treatment of hemorrhoids, I like to use herbal astringents along with those that sooth and cool tissue to relieve pain and swelling. Herbs like White Oak Bark, Yarrow (especially with bleeding,) Calendula, Marshmallow root, Yerba Mansa and Witch Hazel are especially useful. Essential oils such as lavender, geranium, and tea tree oil are also useful.<\/p> Insert the suppository into the anus nightly to shrink the hemorrhoid and to relieve itching and burning.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t Sitting in a shallow bath of warm or room temperature herbal-infused water is helps relieve inflammation, sooths irritation and keeps the area clean. I like to use astringent and vulnerary (soothing, and healing) herbs for this purpose. Witch hazel is a popular herb for this purpose, as is Yerba Mansa, Plantain, black tea infusion (kept instead of throwing it out from above) Yarrow and more.\u00a0<\/p> To make a sitz bath, make an herbal infusion by pouring 16 ounces of boiling water over 1 ounce of herb. Stir, cover, and let steep at least 20 minutes or until cool enough to handle easily. Strain into the bathtub, or other tube for sitting, and fill with cool to lukewarm water. The water need only be deep enough to submerge the anus. Sit comfortably for about 20 minutes.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\tAbout Hemorrhoids<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
Two basic types of Hemorrhoids \u2013 Internal and External<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
Internal Hemorrhoids<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
Prolapsed Hemorrhoid - a progression on internal hemorrhoids<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
External Hemorrhoids<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
Thrombosed Hemorrhoid - progressed form external hemorrhoids<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
When to go to the Doctor<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
Common Causes of Hemorrhoids.<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
Holistic and Herbal Treatments<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
Holistic Suggestions<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
Time honored (and effective) Hemorrhoid Remedies<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
Black tea bags <\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
Herbal Suppository<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
Sitz bath<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
Topical application of oil or salve <\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t