If you have hemorrhoids then you are in good company. MotherNature.com reports that 75 million Americans suffer from this uncomfortable and often painful condition characterized by swollen blood vessels and excess tissue that develops in the anal and rectal areas. Hemorrhoids can cause burning, swelling, inflammation and bleeding, limit your activities and make you miserable. Most hemorrhoids can be treated with certain changes in diet helping to keep stools softer and easier to pass, as well as with various herbal remedies that reduce the swelling and inflammation.
Arnica Tincture
One of nature's most wondrous herbs, Arnica montana comes from a daisy and is excellent at reducing swelling and pain, especially pain from bruising. You can mix a few drops of arnica tincture in two tablespoons of water and dab on swollen hemorrhoids with cotton as needed.
Calendula Tincture
Another of nature's delights, Calendula comes from marigolds, and is useful in all conditions where there is pain, infection, abrasion, burning and inflammation in places "where the son don't shine", as the old time herbalists used to say. Dilute a few drops of calendula tincture in two tablespoons of water and apply to painful hemorrhoids. You can mix calendula and arnica together with water and at the same time. An ointment is also available made from calendula that can be used to treat hemorrhoids.
Witch Hazel
According to MotherNature.com, witch hazel is cooling and very soothing for the treatment of hemorrhoids. You can buy hemorrhoid pads at the pharmacy whose active ingredient is witch hazel or purchase liquid witch hazel in bottles, but both have alcohol in them which stings sore tissues. An even better method of using witch hazel is to purchase the tincture and mix with water as described above for arnica and calendula. Even add it to the arnica and calendula mixture for relief.
Aloe Vera Gel
An astringent that helps to shrink hemorrhoids, aloe vera gel comes from the aloe vera plant. If you have a plant in the house, cut a leaf and split with a knife. Scoop out some of the gel with a cotton ball and apply to the hemorrhoids. Or you can purchase aloe vera gel in bottles at health food stores.
Chamomile
GrannyMed.com recommends using chamomile to treat painful hemorrhoids. Either purchase an ointment made from chamomile and apply liberally as needed or make a tea by steeping a chamomile teabag or loose leaves in a cup of boiling water. Allow to cool and apply with cotton as needed.
