Generally, hemorrhoids are in fact distended veins that arise around the rectal opening or even the anal canal. Hemorrhoids are a common nuisance and around 70% of people will experience them before the age of 50. They are still considered to be a bit of a taboo, which makes many people delay the treatment and suffer unnecessarily for too long.
The most significant symptoms during bowel movement are:
- itching
- bleeding
- rectal pain
- irritation
What Are Hemorrhoids?
Hemorrhoids are veins that are naturally found in the rectum and anal canal and play a role in stool control. We all have them – the problem occurs when they get inflamed and cause pain and bleeding. When that happens, they are referred to as ‘piles’, and can be internal or external. It’s the external ones that usually cause discomfort, pain, and bleeding and require prompt treatment.
What Makes Essential Oils So Good For Hemorrhoids?
Essential oils act in the following ways:- They reduce the swelling of the blood vessels and surrounding tissue and can shrink the vessels back to their original size.
- They relieve the burning, itching, and pain.
- They stop the bleeding and seal the tear.
- They improve the blood supply to the anal canal, which prevents the development of chronic hemorrhoids.
Best Essential Oils For Hemorrhoids
- Tea tree oil: The oil acts in an anti-inflammatory way and can be applied directly to the inflamed area. Some recommend mixing a drop or two of tea tree oil with castor oil, placing the oil on a piece of cotton or soft cloth and tapping it gently on the affected area…
- Lavender oil: This soothing oil can be mixed with juniper oil and applied to the area of inflammation. Another way to use it is to add it to your sitz bath to relieve pain and itchiness. Lavender oil can also be used to relieve pain, treat eczema and relieve allergies.
- Cypress oil: The oil can be used on bleeding piles. Dilute it by mixing a few drops with a tablespoon of base oil (such as sweet almond, jojoba, avocado or coconut oil) and a few drops of lemon juice and then apply the diluted mixture on the painful area of your bum. It’s also good for sitz bath water.
- Dill oil: Made from seeds and other parts of the dill plant, this oil needs to be diluted with a base oil before using it on your sensitive areas (dilute one or two drops of dill oil with a tablespoon of base oil). It will help to relieve the stinging pain.
- Frankincense: This oil was one of the gifts given to the baby Jesus by the three magi and it used to be valued as gold. For hemorrhoids, it is suggested to add 2 to 3 drops to 2 tablespoons of liquid lanolin and massage into affected areas.
- Chamomile: A natural remedy that soothes the irritated skin and helps with pain. Dilute with base oil and apply directly to the affected area.
How to Use Essential Oils
- Some oils can be applied directly, while other oils require a base oil (carrier oil) to dilute them first. You can use carrier oils such as olive oil, sesame oil, grape seed oil, sweet almond oil, coconut oil, jojoba or castor oil, as base oils. Place two to three drops of the blend on the cloth or pre-moistened wipe (use organic materials if possible) and gently wipe the anal area. Repeat this once daily or more frequently if needed.
- Perform daily sitz baths to reduce discomfort and promote the healing process. Add about 8 drops of essential oil to a little carrier oil and add it to your warm bath water.
- Essential oil blend that will calm the itch and pain associated with hemorrhoids
Mix the following oils:
- 5 drops geranium oil
- 4 drops lavender oil
- 3 drops chamomile oil
- 40 drops of base oil (such as sweet almond, jojoba or castor oil)
- Blend and store in a glass bottle. Apply a few drops to the affected area daily.
Essential Oil Suppositories
- The rectum is a highly absorbable place, so inserting the remedy can be a very effective solution, also in the cases when internal hemorrhoids are causing trouble.
- To make suppositories, you can use an all rounded ice cube tray. This is very practical and makes the suppositories easy to pop out once they are settled. Fractionated coconut oil is a good choice for a base oil and is used together with essential oils to make the healing suppository.
How to make essential oil suppositories for hemorrhoids
Use liquid, organic, non-refined, virgin coconut oil (if the coconut oil is solidly put the jar in a warm water to melt the coconut oil)
- Pour the coconut oil into small round ice cube tray so that the compartments are half full.
- Put in the freezer for one to two hours.
- Take out of the freezer and add essential oils: for each suppository/section of the ice cube tray, add 2 to 5 drops of essential oil, so it sits on top of the frozen coconut oil.
- Fill up the rest of the sections with coconut oil, so they’re full and put in the freezer for one to two hours.
- When the suppository is solid, you can pop it out and use it immediately.
- The suppositories are very self-lubricating and start melting as soon as they touch an area of your body, so they are easy to insert.
- Insert the suppository into the rectum, where it melts quickly and acts in a highly therapeutic way.
- Use the suppositories for a few days, while regular use is recommended to avoid hemorrhoids altogether.
- You can use the above-mentioned oils or make a personalized blend. Additionally to the oils mentioned so far, the lime essential oil can also be used in the suppository. For a difficult case of hemorrhoids, it has been recommended to alternate between the lime essential oil and Melrose essential oil suppository, which will make the treatment more effective.
The suppositories can be used for other problems as well, such as constipation, especially for people who have difficulty absorbing the medicine via the stomach.
If you are in doubt, always contact your doctor and discuss your individual case.
Other Natural Remedies For Hemorrhoids
Don’t forget about other natural treatments for hemorrhoids, such as apple cider vinegar, diet changes for preventing constipation and toilet squatting. You can also apply witch hazel directly on top of the hemorrhoids to reduce the swelling and you can also mix the witch hazel with essential oils such as lavender and chamomile.
Apple Cider Vinegar for Hemorrhoids
- Raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar (ACV) helps to reduce the swelling and irritation of internal and external hemorrhoids. For internal hemorrhoids, mix a teaspoon of ACV along with a glass of water and drink at least twice a day. Don’t consume undiluted ACV.
- For external hemorrhoids, you need to first gently clean the area, apply a small amount of ACV to a cotton ball, and gently press the ball up against the affected area. You can feel a little bit of stinging, but it will go away in a few minutes and you should feel relief from the itching and irritation. Repeat several times a day until the swelling decreases.
