Herbal Remedies for Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are enlarged veins in the wall of the anus, sometimes with pain and bleeding. Hemorrhoids are often caused by excessive sitting or standing, lack of exercise, dry feces, and straining when constipated. The following are some herbal remedies that have the best track records of safety and effectiveness at treating hemorrhoids.

Horse chestnut extract, in capsule or tablet form, is said to help with hemorrhoids. Follow the instructions on the package of horse chestnut that you purchase. You can also add one teaspoon of stone root tincture to one cup of water and drink it twice a day, 1/2 cup at a time. For an external treatment, apply a witch hazel liniment or horse chestnut ointment externally to irritated veins; this will help strengthen the veins. You can also use soothing, anti-inflammatory, and bowel-softening herbs such as marshmallow root, flaxseed, and chamomile flowers as teas. If your feces are dry or hard, drink 1/2 cup of aloe juice twice per day, or take bowel tonic herbs like yellow dock root or cascara bark for short periods.

Here is one more herbal formula that you can easily make at home using common kitchenware. Simmer one teaspoon each of stone root, wild yam root, and witch hazel leaf for each two cups of water for 20 minutes. Add 1/2 cup of aloe juice, and drink 1 cup of the mixture, two or three times daily before meals. If you prefer, mix one teaspoon each of the individual tinctures in one cup of water or 1/2 cup of aloe juice, and drink 1/2 cup, twice per day.

Herbs are designed to work in a total program for health — when you eat a healthy diet and follow healthy habits like exercising to help supercharge your cells with oxygen, the herbal remedies that you take work even better. To prevent hemorrhoids from returning, be sure to increase your intake of water, yogurt, and fiber (including psyllium seeds), and get plenty of exercise. Add three capsules a day of a good acidophilus supplement, which supports the health and balance of your intestinal flora. You can find this in many natural food stores and even supermarkets. Take two capsules in the morning and one in the evening, with meals.

Keep in mind that the herbal remedies listed above are not intended to take the place of expert medical advice or treatment; they are designed to help you make informed choices. Because each person is unique, you should see a professional health care provider if your hemorrhoids are severe or home treatment does not help. Your health care provider will supervise treatments for your individual health problem. If you’re under a doctor’s care and receive advice that is contrary to the information provided above, you should follow your doctor’s advice because it is based on your unique circumstances.