Home Remedies for Piles

What are Piles?

Piles are swollen and inflamed blood vessels in the anal area. Hemorrhoids, also known as piles, may be of different sizes and can be internal or external.

Internal piles are the more common type of piles and usually located two or four centimeters above the opening of the anus.

External piles are located beneath the skin on the outer edge of the anus.

• Hemorrhoids are a very common condition among adults that can cause pain and discomfort, if not treated on time.

What are the Symptoms of Piles?

In most of the cases, the symptoms of piles are not very serious. They usually resolve on their own with time.

• A person with piles may have the following symptoms:
• Radiant red blood is visible after a bowel movement
• Anal itching
• Painful bowel movements
• Painful swelling or formation of a lump near the anus
• Discharge of mucus from the anus
• The area around the anus turns sore and red

Piles are Classified into four Grades

Grade I: There are small inflammations that usually occur inside the anus. They are not so visible.

Grade II: These type of piles is larger than grade I piles, but also occur inside the anus lining. They may come out through the anus during defecation but revert back automatically after defecation.

Grade III: Grade III piles are also known as prolapsed hemorrhoids, and they remain outside the anus. The patient may feel them hanging from their rectum but can be re-inserted manually.

Grade IV: These type of piles cannot be pushed back inside the anus and are completely prolapsed. They are large in size and always remains outside the anus.

What Causes Piles?

There are various conditions which cause piles (hemorrhoids) are –

• Increased pressure in the lower rectum can cause piles
• Pregnancy may raise the risk of piles, as it creates increased pressure in the body.
• The increased pressure stretches the blood vessels present around the anus and in the rectum thus, causes swelling or pain.

• Chronic constipation and chronic diarrhea
• By lifting heavy weights
• Straining while defecation

How to Diagnose Piles?

Your doctor may diagnose Piles easily if you have external hemorrhoids simply by seeing. But for diagnosis of internal hemorrhoids, various tests and procedures are required.

• Digital Examination

During a digital examination, the doctor implants a gloved, lubricated finger into your rectum. The doctor feels for anything unusual, like any growth. This exam can help the doctor to decide whether further testing is required or not.

• Visual Inspection

Internal hemorrhoids are usually too soft and difficult to feel during a rectal examination, so your doctor examines the lower part of colon and rectum with a proctoscope, anoscope or sigmoidoscopy.

Home Remedies for Piles

There are various home remedies used for Piles (hemorrhoids).

• Sitz Bath

People with painful piles (hemorrhoids) are advised to sit in warm water at least for 15 minutes, several times in a day — especially after a bowel movement. A sitz bath is a small bowl that fits over your toilet and provides a very convenient way to soak and soothe the affected area. It is easily available at a local pharmacy.

• Aloe Vera

Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory properties which help to soothe inflammation of piles (hemorrhoids). You can find aloe vera gel in many other products as an ingredient but for piles, you should use an only pure form of aloe vera gel.

Some people are allergic to aloe vera. So check the allergic reaction by rubbing the gel onto your forearm and wait for 24 to 48 hours. If there is no reaction, it is safe to use on piles.

• Epsom salt and Glycerin

This home remedy helps to treat painful hemorrhoids by directly applying the paste on the affected area.

Mix two tablespoons of Epsom salt with two tablespoons of glycerin and then apply this mixture to a gauze pad and put it on the inflamed area.

Leave this for 15-20 minutes and repeat it every four to six hours until you get relief from pain.

• A warm bath with Epsom Salt

A warm bath can also help in the soothing of irritation from piles (hemorrhoids). Taking a warm bath by adding Epsom salt, at least for 20 minutes after every bowel movement provides relief by reducing the pain.

• Soothing Wipes

To keep the anal area clean and free from irritation, after a bowel movement uses soothing wipes or wet toilet paper. Soothing wipes should be free from alcohol, perfume, or other chemicals. You can also use an unscented moisturizer with a facial wipe.

• Cold Compresses or Ice Packs

In case if the blood vessels swell up, you can apply ice packs or cold compresses to the anus. It results in relief of swelling for 15 minutes at a time. Always wrap ice inside a cloth, sit on it for about 20 minutes and wait for at least ten minutes before repeating this procedure. Never use any frozen thing directly to the skin.

• Over-the-Counter Ointments

Over-the-counter creams and ointments, like Preparation H, can be easily found in almost every drug store. These ointments and creams provide immediate relief from the pain.

If you use creams with hydrocortisone, then don’t use it for more than a week at a time.

• Witch Hazel

Witch hazel can be bought in liquid form and it can be directly applied on the piles(hemorrhoids). It can reduce both the main symptoms of piles that are itching and pain

It also helps to shrink the blood vessels. Soak a cotton ball with undistilled witch hazel and press it towards the affected area.

• Stool Softeners

Stool softeners or fiber supplements, like psyllium, can help in reducing constipation. They make stool softer, and initiate painless bowel movements. Many of stool softeners come in forms of capsules, liquids, and powders, that you can take orally, once and thrice a day.

• Loose, Cotton Clothing

Wearing ultra-breathable cotton clothes (especially cotton underwear) on the place of tight clothes made with polyester can help to maintain the anal area both clean and dry. This can potentially reduce the pain and itching caused due to piles.

• Avoid long Sitting

If you have piles problem, avoid continuous sitting. If you are doing a sitting job, walk around for 5 minutes at least once, in an hour, it provides relief from the rectal pressure which causes piles (hemorrhoids).

• Lie Down

Simply weigh down your sore anal area by lying stretched out on a sofa with your legs up for half an hour. It will improve the circulation of your backside and provide relief from hemorrhoid.

• Petroleum Jelly

Petroleum jelly can soothe the affected area if you apply a bit onto the sore spot. It provides quick relief from pain.

• Apply Potato

A compression done by a potato is an effective home remedy for piles (hemorrhoids). When grated, the tuber works as a soothing analgesic for pain.

• Use a Tea Bag

A warm and wet tea bag can be applied for soothing the external hemorrhoids. The tannic acid in the tea will help to reduce swelling, pain, and even promote blood clotting to prevent the bleeding.

• Eat High-fiber Foods.

Eat more vegetables, fruits and whole grains that are rich in fibers. They help to soften the stool and increases the bulk of stool. It will also help you to avoid the straining which can worsen the symptoms of piles (hemorrhoids). So, add high-fiber in your diet to avoid the problem of gas and constipation.

Management of Piles by Ayurveda

Planet Ayurveda provides pure and effective herbal remedies for the treatment of Piles (hemorrhoids). These medicines are safe, pure, easy to use and have no side effects.

Products offered by Planet Ayurveda for Piles (hemorrhoids) are

1. Vara Churna
2. Pile Off Capsules
3. Triphala Guggul
4. Arshkuthar Ras
5. Suran Vatak
6. Nirgundi Oil

Products Description

1. Arshkuthar Ras

Arshkuthar ras is a Ayurvedic preparation mentioned in the classics. It is used in the management of piles or haemorrhoids. The preparation is herbo mineral formulation which has ingredients like danti mool (Baliospermum Montanum), snuhi ksheera (extracts of Euphorbia nerifolia), suran churna (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius), and many others. Because it is a herbo mineral preparation it helps in getting faster recovery due to the presence of minerals and herbs in a combination. In addition, the formulation also has its impact on aruchi, aatop, aruchi and aadhman also. The digestive fire is also increased by this formulation. It is the rasaushadhi being mentioned in Ayurvedic texts. The formulation is also helpful in rakta arsh that is bleeding piles as well.

Dosage: 1 tablet twice daily with warm water after meal.

2. Vara Churna

Vara Churna is prepared from the herbs like Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellerica) and Amalaki (Emblica officinalis) that shows effective results in gas, constipation, and acidity.

Dosage: 1 teaspoonful twice daily with warm water after meal.

3. Nirgundi Oil

Nirgundi oil is consist of many herbs like Manjistha (Rubia cordifolia), Kalihari (Gloriosa superba), Haridra (Curcuma longa), and Nirgundi (Vitex negundo) mixed in Tila oil (Sesamum indicum) that shrinks and helps to shed off pile mass internally. This herbal oil also helps in reducing pain, swelling, itching, etc.

Usage: For local application on the affected area.

4. Triphala Guggul

Triphala Guggul is a traditional Ayurvedic formulation useful for various health issues. Herbs used are Guggul (Commiphora mukul) and Haritaki (Terminalia chebula). Helpful in balancing the tridoshas and maintains the overall metabolism of the body. Removes the free radicals from the body and is an excellent formulation for anal fistula and severe constipation.

Dosage: 2 tablets twice daily with warm water after meal.

5. Pile Off Capsules

The Pile Off capsules as the name suggests help to shrink the pile mass, relieves pain and itching. These capsules are useful in bleeding as well as non-bleeding piles. The pile off capsules are 100 % natural and are beneficial in internal as well as external piles or even sentinel tag. When used in combination with Kanchnaar Guggul and Vara churna, they help to eradicate the piles from the root. In case of bleeding piles, the bleeding stops and the pile mass shrinks.

Dosage: 2 capsules twice daily with warm water after meal.

6. Suran Vatak

Suran Vatak is prepared under the strict guidance of M.D Experts and contains various ingredients such as Surana (Amorphophallus campanulatus), Mushali (Curculigo orchioides), Bhallataka (Semecarpus anacardium) and more. Has a pungent and astringent taste which is sharp and useful in curing piles. Act as Rasayan which improves the digestive fire.

Dosage: 2 tablets twice daily with warm water after meal.

This is a herbal ointment which consists of many herbs like Nirgundi beeja (Vitex negundo), Bhringraj (Eclipta alba) and Lajjavanti (Mimosa pudica), etc. mixed in Kapoor oil (Cinnamomum camphora) which are beneficial for shrinking piles mass. Drift ointment reduces pain, swelling, and skin itching that is caused due to piles.

Dietary Guidelines

A healthy diet helps you to stay away from many of the diseases. So choose wisely what to eat or what not to eat.

What to Eat

• Grains

People suffering from piles are advised to add a lot of healthy whole grains into their daily diet like brown rice, bran cereal, oatmeal, whole wheat pasta, etc. These fiber-rich foods soften the stool and also helps to reduce the pain.

• Leafy green vegetables

Green vegetables are a natural source of antioxidants and nutrients.  It also helps to ease digestion for example, carrots, broccoli, Brussels, tomato, asparagus, cabbage, cauliflower, onions, cucumber, etc. are a great option to be adopted, in case of piles.

• Beans

Beans contain high fiber content and should be involved in the daily meals of a piles patient. Some examples are black, kidney, lima, navy beans, legumes and black-eyed peas.

• Fruits

Fruits are rich in, minerals, fibers, and vitamins that help to improve the bowel movement. Fruits that we can eat with their skin like prunes, raisins, apples, grapes, berries are rich in fibers and are very effective in hemorrhoids. The fruits we can eat without the skin are also good, for example, banana, papaya, oranges, etc.

What Not to Eat

Foods with limited fiber can increase the risk of constipation

and therefore hemorrhoids, so it’s better to avoid such foods –

• Dairy products like milk, cheese, etc.
• Meat
• White bread and bagels
• Processed foods such as frozen meals and fast food