Hemorrhoids are inflamed, swollen veins in the rectum and anus. They can form externally and internally and are characterized by a burning pain, swelling, and itching in the anal area, and sometimes bleeding during bowel movements. It is a very common problem and in most cases can be treated at home.

Generally speaking, chronic hemorrhoids are caused by three related factors:

1. straining during bowel movements;
2. constipation;
3. diet.

In a nutshell, your body is trying to tell you that you’ve got a problem with your diet. To help your body to heal itself and to prevent hemorrhoids in future you need to change what you eat.

1. Eat foods that have lots of fiber. As many fresh fruits and vegetables as possible, leafy greens, all kinds of food recommended to treat constipation. Avoid sugar, processed foods, red meat, wheat, dairy, etc. Avoid eating fatty foods, like deep fried meats or fast-food hamburgers, and cut down on the heavy use of alcohol. Once your body is healed you may choose to reintroduce some of those foods again, but you will have to do it in moderation.
2. Drink plenty of water (at least 8 glasses a day).
3. Exercise, avoid seating for a long period of time.
4. Take probiotic supplement or probiotic-rich foods.

You can relieve pain, itching and swelling associated with hemorrhoids with some simple home treatments.

1. Consider taking a stool softener to make bowel movement faster and easier.
2. Keep the anal area clean. Preferably take a warm bath after every bowel movement. If it is not possible, you may use sitz bath (get it in a drug store or on the Internet). It fits over the toilet. Soak your anal area in warm water for 15 minutes three times a day. Gently dry the area after bathing. Avoid using dry toilet paper. Use moist cotton pads or wet toilet paper with no perfume or alcohol.
3. Apply cold (ice packs, cold compresses) on your anal area.
4. Apply Witch hazel compress or ointment to the anal area. Witch hazel is an astringent. It helps to constrict the skin tissue, decrease the bleeding and relieve pain and swelling. Instead of Witch hazel you can use apple cider vinegar (or add half a cup of the vinegar to your sitz bath).
5. Apply Aloe vera to the affected area. Instead of Aloe vera you could use zinc oxide cream or ointment, coconut oil or vitamin E oil.
6. Rutin – get it in a supplement form in a drug store. This flavonoid helps strengthen your veins. You can also find it in plants, for instance, chamomile, elderberry and hawthorn. So you can just add it to your diet. Sources of flavonoids include buckwheat, oranges, grapefruit, lemons, cranberries, limes, apples, tomatoes, onions, carrots and asparagus (to name a few). Anthocyanin works the same way. Sources of anthocyanin include dark, red berries, blueberries, cherries, grapes and red cabbage.

Some people also tried banana peel (easily substituted by banana peel extract cream), cabbage leaves, rutabaga (the last two - cooked, mashed and used in poultices) or blackstrap molasses (take a couple of tablespoons every few hours). Cayenne pepper mixed with coconut oil is supposed to help. As well as garlic or a piece of aloe without thorns used as a suppository. In addition on the Internet there are many testimonies of people using French maritime pine bark extract, horse chestnut, or any other remedy for chronic venous insufficiency for hemorrhoids with good results. Just remember - if your internal hemorrhoids are severe, don’t suffer in silence, see a doctor and get another treatment.

What is your favorite natural remedy for hemorrhoids? Do you have any other tips that could help to get rid of hemorrhoids ?

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