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Home Remedies for Piles

SHAFAQNA-

Home remedies for piles include the use of vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds and herbs which are easily available. Some of them include radish, figs, yogurt, flaxseed, mango seeds, java plum, butcher’s broom, pomegranate, horse-chestnut, aloe vera, banana, witch hazel, turmeric, sesame seeds, cumin seeds, ginger and bitter gourd. These home remedies for piles are regarded as effective and safe due to use of all natural ingredients with no side effects.

What are Piles?

Piles are commonly known as hemorrhoids or hemorrhoidal disease in medical terminology. Hemorrhoids are very common amongst men and women both. They are caused due to the excessive swelling or inflammation of blood vessels in and around the anal canal. The anal canal helps in controlling stools. Under normal conditions, hemorrhoids provide cushioning effect and also help in smooth passage of stool.

Types and Symptoms of Piles

Pathological hemorrhoids are generally of two types called internal hemorrhoids and external hemorrhoids. The symptoms for internal hemorrhoids include itching and rectal bleeding while external hemorrhoids have symptoms of anal pain and inflammation. One may experience pain during bowl movements and the stool may contain stains of blood.

Causes of Piles

Some of the main reasons associated with occurrence of piles include:

Irregular food and bowel habits: Irregular food habits are one of the basic reasons for constipation and eventually hemorrhoids or piles. People who strain during bowl movements are prone to piles.

Constipation or diarrhea: Constipation is another cause of piles in many cases. Constipation can be controlled with changes in diet and use of natural laxatives. Sometimes one may experience constipation due to depression or anxiety.

Lack of fibre in diet: Fibre is the undigested bulk in the food which can absorb water in the intestines and ease out the process of movement of undigested waste in the large intestine. Lack of fiber in diet would affect the bowl movement and may cause piles.

Amount of water in the body: Another important element which helps easing bowel movement is drinking water, lots of it. Human body contains almost 70% of water and it is the main ingredient in our waste products as well. Lack of sufficient water in the system will make the waste harder and difficult for bowel movements to take place.

Abuse of laxatives: Prescribed laxatives can be used while suffering from chronic constipation but, using them regularly over a period of time causes lazy colon syndrome. In some cases side effects have also been noted such as damage of muscular function of large intestine, drainage of water, minerals and vitamins from body, formation of kidney stones and possible kidney failure.

Pregnancy: During pregnancy, many women experience piles or hemorrhoids. Piles are caused due to the pressure of the foetus, hormonal changes, etc. Mostly the piles that are caused due to pregnancy disappear after child birth.

Other causes: Some other reasons for hemorrhoids include obesity, being in sitting posture for longer periods of time, aging and lifestyle.

Home Remedies for Piles

Home remedies for piles include not only the use of natural medicines but also few changes in the life style that help in early disappearance of piles. Smooth passage of stools without any irritation, pain and/or bleeding associated with it is an indication of disappearance of piles condition.

Drinking water: Drinking sufficient amount of water, which can be between 2 to 3 litres a day can not only hydrate our bodies but also help in easing and smoothing out bowel movement. A technique for smooth bowel movement can be practised at home. Drinking at least one litre of water early in the morning helps in smooth bowel movement. The sudden flow of water into the stomach puts pressure on the intestines and helps in the peristaltic movement and the water rushing inside the intestines laxities waste for smooth movement.

Fiber rich diet: Fiber rich diet helps in softer stool and easy bowl movement. This in turn lessens the irritation caused by hemorrhoids. High fibre diet includes majority of vegetables, herbs, fruit and unpolished cereal.

Radish: Radish is considered to be one of the best home remedies for piles or hemorrhoids. A half cup of radish juice consumed twice every day will help in curing piles. Local application of radish paste mixed with honey can ease the pain in piles.

Figs: In Ayurveda, figs have been used to treat many diseases including hemorrhoids. Dried figs must be soaked in water over night and consumed the next day along with the water to give good results in reducing piles.

Yoghurt:  Hemorrhoids may be treated with the help of probiotics or friendly bacteria and what good source to find such probiotic bacteria other than yogurt. Consume yogurt every day. The bacteria found in yoghurt promote smooth functioning of gastrointestinal organs.

Flaxseed: Flaxseeds or Linum usitatissimum are rich in fiber content and omega 3 fatty acids is helpful for hemorrhoids and constipation Flaxseed can be consumed regularly in powdered form

Mango seeds: Mango seeds are known to be a good home remedy for piles. These seeds have to be dried, powdered and stored. This powder must be taken 1-2 teaspoons twice a day. The powder is known to relieve swelling, pain and itching sensation.

Java plum: The fruit Java Plum is known to relieve blood stools associated with internal piles. This fruit must be eaten early morning for a period of about 2-3 months for better results.

Butcher’s broom: Use of Butcher’s broom or Ruscus aculeatus shows good results in controlling piles. It has Ruscogenins which are known to have anti-inflammatory properties.

Pomegranate seeds: Take some pomegranate seed peels and soak them in water for sometimes and boil this mixture. Strain away this concoction and take this twice a day during morning and evening. This will help in relieving from piles.

Horse-chestnut: Horse-chestnut or Aesculus hippocastanum is known to contain a saponin compound called aescin. Aescin has anti-inflammatory, anti-edema properties and venotonic effects. It eases the inflammation and strengthens blood vessels.

Aloe vera: Aloe vera  has been used for many centuries for treating burns because of its emollient, demulcent and anti-inflammatory properties. Aloe vera secretions should be applied locally for external hemorrhoids to relieve pain and swelling.

Banana: Ripe banana fruit is excellent for treating constipation as well as piles. Mash a banana fruit and mix it with milk. Have this mixture at least 3 to 4 times day. This will ease out the pain.

Witch-hazel: Witch-hazel or Hamamelis virginiana has properties of shrinking swollen blood vessels back to normal size and hence it is acts as a natural remedy for hemorrhoids. A paste of witch-hazel can be applied locally to ease the swelling.

Sesame seeds: Make a paste of boiled sesame seeds and add a very small amount of butter to it and consume it every day. According to Ayurveda, sesame seeds act as very good medicine for a spectrum of diseases ranging from blood production, dental problems, burns, setting menstrual cycle of women right, apart from curing hemorrhoids.

Cumin seeds: Cumin seeds can be used in a number of ways to cure hemorrhoids. Black cumin seeds are especially useful in dealing with hemorrhoids. Mix black cumin seeds with equal proportions of cane sugar, 2-3 teaspoons every day. After taking this mixture, one has to drink at least 3-4 glasses of water.

Bitter gourd: Bitter gourd is known for its health benefits such as fight against diabetes, possible cancer prevention and cholesterol control. Its leaves are used to provide relief against piles. Make juice of bitter gourd leaves and add it to buttermilk which must be taken every morning. Apart from the juice, a paste of leaves can be prepared and applied on external piles.

Ginger, honey, lime and mint: Take two tablespoons each of ginger juice, lime juice and mint juice and mix with 2 – 4 tablespoons of honey. Take this mixture every morning. It is believed to be a good cure for hemorrhoids.

Turnip: Turnip is another plant which is used as a home remedy for piles or hemorrhoids. Take juice of turnip leaves and add juices of radish, watercress and carrot in same proportions. Take a glassful of this juice everyday to get rid of hemorrhoids.

Indian gooseberry: Amla or Indian gooseberry is yet another wonder fruit from India. It is believed to possess the highest concentrations of vitamin C, many medicinal properties and is eaten in fresh or preserved form. Indian gooseberry is good for many helps in gastrointestinal problems including hemorrhoids.

Yoga: There are different poses/asanas in Yoga which can help in conditions such as hemorrhoids. Sarvanga asana, malasana, viparita karani and balasana are some of the yoga poses that can be practiced to cure hemorrhoids.

Turmeric: Turmeric is one of the ancient herbs that have been extensively mentioned in Ayurveda to hold anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-septic, anti-oxidant, anti-allergic properties. Its anti-inflammatory properties make it very effective in curing piles or hemorrhoids.

Enema: Enema is a very easy and effective remedy for piles. Enema can be given with lukewarm water. The water entering into the intestine laxities the stool for easy and effortless bowel movement.

Cotton clothes: Simple cotton clothes which loosely fit are good as tight clothes can aggravate irritation in the hemorrhoids area.  They can also absorb sweat to keep the place dry and avoid any bacterial infection.

Other remedies: Some other remedies include the use of simple and soft tissue paper instead of fragrance filled tissues. Fragrant tissues may contain chemical sprays which can increase the irritation and worsen the condition. The high itching sensation prompts patients to scratch irrationally. Scratching can rupture those healing wounds or scars and bring wounds to original position.

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