photo credit: king_david_uk
In order to ease hemorrhoids, try to find ways to make sure you have regular and easy bowel movements. One way to do this is by shifting to a diet that can produce softer stools. Pushing too hard during a bowel movement can worsen your hemorrhoids. It can even aggravate bleeding and lead to more pain.

When cleaning yourself after a bowel movement, make sure to use the softest tissue so that you don’t rub and aggravate your hemorrhoids. Using a pre-moistened tissue is also sensible; although you must choose uncolored or unscented tissues because these kinds of tissue has added chemicals that might exacerbate you hemorrhoids. Taking more showers a day to keep your anal area clean is also advisable.

If you need more help in eliminating your hemorrhoids, there are three natural ways you can do.

Aloe Vera for Hemorrhoids

First natural remedy is the use of Aloe Vera. Aloe Vera is a natural astringent that can aid in repairing open wounds. In gel form, you can apply it directly onto your anus and the best type of gel is from a fresh aloe plant. If you don’t have a plant, you can buy a 100% organic whole leaf aloe gel form health food or nutrition store.

When using a fresh plant, make sure to clean the leaf thoroughly with distilled water. Then skin one side and curve it with the peeled side outward. Slip it into your anus and the pain you are feeling and the bleeding due to the hemorrhoid will be reduced.

Drinking ½ cup of Aloe Vera juice three times a day is also good for treating and preventing hemorrhoids because it softens stools and activates peristaltic action.

If you cannot take a pure aloe juice, you can mix ¼ or 1/3 part of aloe juice to one cup of apple juice. And, to make it more powerful, just add 10 drops of barberry extract.

Barberry is another astringent that can stop the bleeding due to hemorrhoids. It is usually used for blood vessel clogging in the colon and rectum since it improves the circulation of blood. Barberry also improves your immune system in resisting diseases and tones body tissues.

Bilberry for Hemorrhoids
The second natural remedy is the use of Bilberry which has flavanoids as active ingredients. It also contains “anthocyanosides.” Bilberry is a fruit like herb which has been widely used in Europe. Clinical studies show that bilberry is effective in treating weak capillaries by strengthening their walls. To provide hemorrhoid relief, buy the 25% standardized formula and take 100 mg three times a day of bilberry.

Butcher’s Broom for Hemorrhoids

Butcher s broom, Butcher's-broom Ruscus aculeatus—Phil Sellens (Flickr.com)

The last natural method of treating hemorrhoid is using butcher’s broom which is an evergreen bush used in treating varicose veins and hemorrhoids. As an extract, butcher’s broom contains “ruscogenins”, which can restrict blood vessels and reduces their inflammation and swelling by strengthening the veins and capillary walls. Just take 100 mg of butcher’s broom that has 9-11% ruscogenins for at least three times a day.

Now that you know these natural, herbal remedies, choose the one the suits you. If one method doesn’t work, try the other one until you get the much needed relief from hemorrhoids.

photo credit: Smabs Sputzer
Most hemorrhoids can be cured by changing eating habits and by using home remedy treatments. The following kitchen remedies helps in keeping hemorrhoids sores under wraps.

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is a good aid in healing hemorrhoids. It contains anti-inflammatory substance that can help in reducing the irritation from hemorrhoids. Peel off the aloe Vera leaf and apply the clear gel onto the hemorrhoids.

Water

One of the main causes of hemorrhoids is constipation and drinking plenty of water will help in keeping the digestive process easier. Drink 8 glasses of water each day and start reaping its benefits. You can also drink juice and eat water-loaded fruits and vegetables to keep the digestive process flow without block-ups.

Ice or Cold Compress

Using ice or cold compress is a guaranteed way in soothing hemorrhoid pain. Plainly speaking, you have to freeze your rear end to keep the anal region numb and also to reduce the blood flow to those swollen veins. Break the ice into smallest cubes so that it will be easier for the ice to shape around you rear end. Put the ice in a plastic bag and cover it with a paper towel; then, sit on it.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar or just plain vinegar can be applied to hemorrhoids to stop the itching and burning sensations. Vinegar acts as stringent that can help in shrinking the engorged blood vessels. After cleaning and drying, apply the vinegar using a cotton ball.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is necessary to strengthen and tone down the blood vessels. Eating fruits and vegetables that are rich in Vitamin C is important in the healing process of hemorrhoids.

Prunes

Prunes can have laxative effect and helps in producing softer stools. If you have not eaten a prune ever since your mother had forced you to eat one at the age of five, it is now time to do it again and eat 3 to 4 servings a day.

Potatoes

Potatoes can be used as astringent and used in soothing hemorrhoid pains. To make a poultice from grated potatoes, thoroughly wash the potatoes and cut them into chunks. Then, process the potatoes in a blender under they are in liquid form; adding some water if they look dry. In a handkerchief or thin gauze bandage, spread the mashed ‘taters’ and fold them in half. Apply them to the hemorrhoids for five to ten minutes.

Warning! Some home remedies require putting the potatoes in areas that you do not expect. Before using potatoes or any food products as suppositories to help hemorrhoids, ask your doctors about it first.

These natural and home reliefs for hemorrhoids help in preventing hemorrhoids and easing the discomfort if you already have them. However, seek and ask for your physician’s advice if home remedies are not enough in controlling your hemorrhoid problem.

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Sitz bath is an effective and popular method of treating mild to moderate cases of hemorrhoids. Sitz baths are usually used in treating skin irritations and infections by bathing in warm water. It can also be used to treat hemorrhoids by taking a sitz bath in the tub or over the toilet.

How it Works
Purchase the necessary container for your hemorrhoid sitz bath. It is a plastic tub that can fit into the toilet seat. Fill it with warm water and add salt or baking soda. Soak the rectal area in it for 15-20 minutes. In doing so, the swollen and infected areas are cleansed and the blood flow toward the pelvic region will also increase.

Advantages
Sitz baths are usually the first treatment a doctor will recommend after diagnosing the condition of having hemorrhoid. It offers many advantages including the immediate comfort and relief from the irritation and pain from hemorrhoids. Adding salt or baking soda to the warm water will relieved the infections in the anal area and it can even eliminate the infection completely by repeating the process continuously.

Another advantage from using sitz bath for hemorrhoid is that it is not expensive; although the price can also vary. There are complicated and expensive types of tubs wherein the drains are built in.

Combine With Other Methods
Generally, sitz baths are effective for treating hemorrhoids. However, there are also other methods that you can incorporate with it. For example, adopting a more balanced and fiber-rich diet is helpful in producing softer stools and regular bowel movements. The risk of developing hemorrhoids is lesser if you can avoid having constipation.

If you want to try sitz baths by yourself, buy a sitz bathtub and essential oils that you can mix with the water. If your skin is puffy and tender, juniper and lavender oils are helpful.

What if it Doesn’t Work?
However, after trying sitz bath you condition is still the same or even worsening, you might need to seek your doctor’s advice for another method of treatment. The hemorrhoids problem can sometimes be very persistent and you might need a more serious measure to treat it.

Keep in mind to check your condition regularly and contact you doctor and let them know of your situation. Medical professionals can help you determine the gravity of your situation.

photo credit: Dharion

Having hemorrhoids has become now one of the most painful conditions that has affected many humans nowadays. Hemorrhoids are basically varicose veins that are found in the anal region and they can cause itching, tenderness and pain. Of all the treatment available for hemorrhoids, witch hazel is the most favorite since it is effective and inexpensive.

Brief History
Witch hazel had been used by barbers for generations when they cut someone because it soothes the cut and shrinks the blood vessel without causing the skin to more irritation. Using it in treating hemorrhoids has also been common for ages.

How to Use
When treating hemorrhoids using witch hazel, put a small amount of it on cotton and apply it to the irritated anal region. Do this as often as you can until your hemorrhoids are completely gone. There are also pads that are pre-soaked with witch hazel that you can buy so that you don’t have to carry cotton balls and witch hazel all the time. These pads are available in your local market at affordable prices. You can also use it when cleaning yourself after a bowel movement.

When at home, you can put the witch hazel bottle in a refrigerator or in a bucket full of ice until it cools down and then, pour it onto a cloth. Apply and keep the compress in the irritated areas until it is no longer cool. Repeat the process as many times as you like. Witch hazel can still be use even if the hemorrhoid is bleeding. Not only will it relieve the pain but also it helps the vein limit the bleeding and reduce the swelling.