Herbal Remedies for Piles

Piles, also known as hemorrhoids, are swollen and painful veins located in your anus or the lower end of your rectum. FamilyDoctor.org states that piles are caused by an increase in pressure in the veins in these areas. Among the most common causes of piles are straining during bowel movements, being overweight and engaging in work or recreational activities that require heavy lifting. Herbal remedies may help relieve your symptoms and treat the cause of your piles.

Symptoms

Piles is a common health condition, particularly during pregnancy or after you give birth. Liver cirrhosis is also a possible cause of piles. The National Center for Biotechnology Information states that increased pressure on the veins in your anus and rectum cause them to bulge and enlarge, which makes them painful, especially when you sit down. If you have piles, you may experience symptoms including anal itching, bloody stools, pain during defecation and palpable tender areas around your anus.

Herbal Approach

Phyllis A. Balch, a nutrition researcher and author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," states that piles are unique to human beings; no other creature has this health problem. She notes that there are many herbal remedies for piles. Balch says that aloe vera gel applied directly to your anus helps relieve pain and soothe the burning sensation that often accompanies piles. For some people, herbs including goldenseal, myrrh, white oak and bayberry, may work as well as or better than conventional piles preparations.

White Oak

The bark of the white oak tree is a popular herbal remedy in the treatment of piles. Balch notes that white oak is an antiseptic that has been used to help treat conditions including piles, varicose veins, poison ivy, nosebleed, bronchitis, diarrhea, fevers, cold, burns, wounds and bee stings. The bark of the white oak tree contains substances including quercetin, beta-carotene, pectin, tannin, phosphorus, potassium, selenium and B-vitamins.

Considerations

Your physician may present you with several treatment options depending on the location and severity of your piles. Options include surgery, ligation, laser coagulation, injection sclerotherapy, infrared photocoagulation, bipolar electrocoagulation and conservative measures such as dietary changes, herbal remedies and other self-help treatments. Ask your doctor to explain all these options before pursuing any treatment modality for your piles. If you decide to use herbal remedies to treat your piles, discuss the possible risks and benefits with your doctor before you begin.