Hemorrhoids are swollen veins around the anus and in the rectum. For many, hemorrhoids are an enormous embarrassment. But they really needn't be. Many people are affected by hemorrhoids at some time in their life, especially during pregnancy.

Here are some natural remedies for hemorrhoids:

What causes hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids are often due to diarrhea or constipation caused by water retention in women experiencing premenstrual syndrome or menstruation.

Hypertension and too much pressure on the rectal veins can also cause hemorrhoids. This is why hemorrhoids are often associated with pregnancy. This condition can be also the result of excessive consumption of alcohol or caffeine.

Always seek the advice of a practitioner, especially if you have bleeding hemorrhoids.

Remedies for hemorrhoids: healing nutrition

• Foods rich in fibre to increase bowel movement and relieve constipation
  
• Foods rich in vitamin E, C, and K to encourage blood circulation
  
• Foods rich in bioflavonoids to strenghten capillaries
  
• Alfalfa sprouts and kale to help relieve bleeding hemorrhoids

Try to limit your intake of:

• Saturated fats from red meat and Trans-fatty acids to keep your blood thin
• Salt because excess salt retains fluids in the circulatory system
• Sugar, cheese, peanuts, tobacco, alcohol, salt, fried and junk food, and ice cream
• Constipating foods such as red wine, chocolate, cocoa and black tea

Remedies for hemorrhoids: supplements

• Vitamin C and bioflavonoids strengthen capillaries
• Vitamin E improves blood circulation
• Pycnogenol scavenges free radicals
• Vitamin A heals the mucous membranes
• Vitamin B6 can help if hemorrhoids come from a deficiency of this vitamin
  
• Vitamin K prevents internal bleeding and blood clotting
• Probiotics can relieve the itchiness

Remedies for hemorrhoids: herbal remedies

• Mullein, yellow dock, and plantain tea relieve itching. Drink several cups daily (1 teaspoon of herb in 1 cup of water)
• Nettle facilitates bowel evacuation
• Dandelion strengthens connective tissue

• Yarrow extract and white oak bark can be used
• Oak bark added to your bath reduces inflammation
• Compresses of witch hazel can be applied to shrink blood vessels
• Chamomile speeds healing
• Peppermint relieves pain
• Comfey stimulates cell regeneration

Remedies for hemorrhoids: homeopathy

• Hamamelis
• Collinsonia
• Aloe

Remedies for hemorrhoids: tissue salts

• Calc fluor
• Ferr phos
• Mag phos

Remedies for hemorrhoids: other skin tips

• It is very important to maintain good hygiene and clean yourself gently.
  
• Exercise to promote blood circulation. However, avoid lifting and too much physical exercise.
• Wear cotton underwear instead of synthetic clothes.
• Hemorrhoids can be itchy, but do not scratch them since it can damage the walls of the veins.
• A bath in warm water helps to kill the pain while increasing the flow of blood. Vitamin E oil soothes the pain.
• Watch your weight to avoid having too much pressure on the lower extremities...
  

Remedies for hemorrhoids: external links

• Hemorrhoids during pregnancy (Baby Center)

Remedies for hemorrhoids: references

• Andrew Gaeddert, healing Skin Disorders, North Atlantic Books, Berkeley, California, 2003
• Louise Tenney, M.H., Today’s Herbal health, 6th edition, USA, 2007
• Phyllis A. Balch, James F. Balch, Prescription for nutritional healing, United States of America, 2000
• Siegfried Gursche, Encyclopedia of natural healing, Canada, 1997
• Thomas Bartram, Bartram’s encyclopedia of herbal medicine, The definitive guide to the herbal treatment of diseases, Grace Publishers, UK, 1995