Hemorrhoids are a tormenting and embarrassing health issue. Unfortunately, some patients struggle with it for years.
It’s possible to eliminate the pain and discomfort of piles with the topical application of natural remedies. Essential oils for the treatment of hemorrhoids are one of the effective treatment options worth trying.
Piles do not pose any serious threat to your life. But the bleeding, pain, and itching caused by this disease are quite unbearable for most patients.
Hemorrhoids – An Overview
According to a Mayo Clinic report, approximately half of all adults will have at least a few symptoms of hemorrhoids by the age of 50.
The veins surrounding the anus or rectum are known as the rectal venous plexus (or hemorrhoidal plexus); they communicate in front with the vesical venous plexus in the male, and the uterovaginal plexus in the female.
According to Gray’s Anatomy, “veins of the hemorrhoidal plexus are contained in very loose connective tissue, so that they get less support from surrounding structures than most other veins, and are less capable of resisting increased blood pressure.”
Hemorrhoids occur when hemorrhoidal veins are inflamed and swollen. It happens because of continuous high blood pressure and tension in the rectum area.
External hemorrhoids occur outside the anus, while internal hemorrhoids develop within the rectum.
The major reasons for inflamed veins around the rectum are:
- Straining during bowel movements
- Sitting on the toilet for a long time
- Chronic constipation or diarrhea
- Pregnancy
- Obesity
- Colon cancer
- Previous rectal surgery
- Spinal cord injury
- Lack of erect posture while sitting.
“Piles” is the popularly used name for inflamed hemorrhoids in common parlance.
Symptoms of piles are blood-tinged stool, bleeding in the rectum, protrusions in the anus, itchiness, and pain.
Piles can very well be cured within a month or two. However, the disease can become recurrent if you fail to adopt precautionary steps to prevent it.
Most patients can get rid of hemorrhoids with herbal supplements, high-fiber diets, non-surgical treatment, essential oil remedies, and changes in unhealthy lifestyle habits.
Is Using Essential Oils For Hemorrhoids Work?
Essential oils contain anti-inflammatory and anti-infective agents, vitamins, enzymes, and fatty acids that work well for treating hemorrhoids.
Here are some of the particular ways that EOs become beneficial for curing piles:
EOs contain several medicinal properties that provide healing effects. They also provide the body with vitamins and nutrients required to heal hemorrhoids.
They help to improve the structural integrity of the blood vessels and reduce the chances of them getting easily ruptured or inflamed.
Some of the EOs quickly fortify the ruptured veins and aid in faster blood clotting while bleeding.
Analgesic and antiseptic properties in essential oils can be of immense help in reducing pain and swelling.
EOs contain anti-inflammatory properties which are beneficial for quickly shrinking swelling caused by inflamed tissues in the rectal area.
Piles can cause severe itching and burning sensation; EOs can soothe inflamed tissues by reducing itching and burning sensation.
Proper blood flow to inflamed tissues is necessary for the faster healing of piles. These oils can help reduce swelling and rejoin the ruptured blood vessels for improved blood circulation.
EOs are natural and safe to use as they do not produce any side effects, unlike prescription medicines.
7 Essential Oils For Hemorrhoids
If you suffer from hemorrhoids, you could consider using essential oils to treat this embarrassing and tormenting disease. Here are some of the best essential oils and oil blends you can use.
1. Cypress Oil
Cypress essential oil is one of the effective essential oils that work great for managing piles.
The hemostatic and astringent properties present in this oil are very beneficial for clotting blood and stopping bleeding. Traditionally, cypress is the oil used to heal fresh wounds.
This oil helps inflamed tissues and blood vessels contract and heal.
Dilute 5 drops of Cypress oil in 15 ml of carrier oil such as jojoba, sweet almond, avocado, or coconut oil, plus a few drops of lemon juice. You can put the diluted mixture of these oils on the affected area, or simply add a few drops of cypress oil to a sitz bath. Repeat this treatment thrice a day.
2. Lavender Oil
Lavender oil is the king of all essential oils for its numerous health benefits and uses.
This oil is anti-inflammatory, analgesic, calming, and anti-itch. It can quickly soothe inflamed piles by relieving pain, itching, and swelling.
Make a blend of lavender and juniper oil and apply this oil blend on the affected area or in a sitz bath to help relieve pain and itching.
3. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree essential oil is known to be the most effective essential oil for piles.
This oil has an antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and cooling effect. It is a powerful medicine that can take care of most symptoms of hemorrhoids on its own.
Applying a few drops of diluted tea tree oil around the affected area can quickly reduce pain and swelling. It also prevents the possibility of infection occurring in the inflamed tissues in the rectum.
Diluted in a carrier oil like castor oil, use tea tree oil for treating internal or external hemorrhoids.
4. Helichrysum Oil
Helichrysum essential oil is known for its anti-allergenic and anti-inflammatory abilities. This oil is very effective in soothing inflamed piles.
You can apply a few drops of Helichrysum oil diluted in carrier oils like avocado, sweet almond, or castor in the affected area three times a day for fast results.
5. Geranium Oil
Geranium oil is a well-known folklore remedy for healing wounds. This oil works well for healing inflamed wounds in the anus caused by piles. It is effective in stopping bleeding and reducing pain by numbing the nerves.
Apply a few drops of diluted geranium oil directly onto the affected area or in a sitz-bath.
6. Roman Chamomile Oil
Chamomile essential oil is effective in soothing inflammation and encourages the regeneration of new tissues in the piles’ affected area.
It is also effective for numbing the nerves to calm pain and itching. This oil can quickly reduce the pain, irritation, and swelling caused by both internal and external hemorrhoids.
Apply this essential oil to the affected area, but make sure to dilute it first in a carrier oil. You can also use the chamomile oil-enriched herbal cream, specially formulated to deal with skin issues.
7. Frankincense Oil
Frankincense essential oil is effective in reducing pain and itching from hemorrhoids by calming the nervous system.
It has antiviral and antibacterial properties that can effectively prevent possible infections arising from hemorrhoids.
This oil may help to heal and contract the inflamed and swollen tissues in and around the rectum.
Make a blend of two or three drops of frankincense oil with 2 tablespoons of liquid lanolin, and massage this mixture onto the inflamed area.
Best Carrier Oils And Other Essential Oils
Essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts with active medicinal and chemical properties. A few drops of essential oils must be diluted in skin-friendly carrier oils before being applied to the hemorrhoids.
Some of the best carrier oils you can use for diluting EOs are:
- Coconut oil
- Avocado oil
- Sesame oil
- Jojoba oil
- Almond oil
- Castor oil
Besides the seven oils we have just discussed, you may alternatively use an essential oil from this list:
- Patchouli essential oil
- Juniper essential oil
- Neroli essential oil
- Evening primrose oil,
- Sandalwood essential oil
- Peppermint essential oil
- Geranium essential oil
- Clove essential oil
- Dill essential oil
- Horse chestnut essential oil
- Myrtle essential oil.
Oil Blends For Treating Piles
It is always advantageous to use a blend of essential oils to achieve the best possible healing result in pile treatment.
Here is a list of essential oil combinations or blends you can use for treating hemorrhoids.
1. Warm Essential Oil Wash Cloth Blend
This is a compelling blend of essential oils that can give you fast and effective relief from the symptoms of hemorrhoids.
Ingredients required:
- Patchouli oil: 5 drops
- Cypress oil: 3 drops
- Myrrh oil: 10 drops
Directions for use:
Mix these oils thoroughly in a glass bowl; you may slightly warm the mixture for perfect blending. Apply a sufficient amount of this oil on a washcloth and place the oil-soaked washcloth in the hemorrhoid-affected area for 5 minutes. Repeat the treatment three times a day.
2. Itch Blend
This is a fine blend of essential oils that you can use to reduce itching and irritation caused by piles.
Ingredients:
- Lavender oil: 4 drops
- Geranium oil: 5 drops
- Bergamot oil: 4 drops
- Coconut Oil: 1 Ounce
Directions for use:
Take the oils in the required amount and blend them in a glass bowl. After cleansing the piles’ affected area, with the help of a cotton ball, apply the oil blend to the affected area. Repeat the treatment 3 times a day.
3. Sitz Bath Blend For Hemorrhoids
Here is a compelling blend of oils and milk you can use in a sitz bath to get relief from the symptoms of piles.
Ingredients:
- Chamomile oil: 3 drops
- Juniper Oil: 3 drops
- Sandalwood oil: 3 drops
- Milk: 5ml
Direction for use:
Mix the ingredients’ oils and milk in a glass bowl. Add this blend of oils to the warm water; agitate and disperse the water to allow the oil to spread evenly. Soak the piles’ affected area in the water for 15 minutes. Repeat this treatment twice daily.
4. Oil Blend For Bleeding
If you are suffering from piles with continuous bleeding, treat the affected area with the following blends of oils:
Ingredients:
- Cypress oil: 5 drops
- Helichrysum oil: 5 drops
- Frankincense Oil: 5 drops
- Lavender Oil: 5 drops
- Coconut Oil: 20 ml.
Directions for use:
Blend the oil mixture in a glass bowl; gently warming up the mixture is desirable for perfect blending. Store the oil blend in a closed glass jar.
With a cotton ball, you can apply 3-5 drops of blended oil to the affected area 3 times a day.
Tips For Preventing And Fast Healing Of Hemorrhoids
To overcome hemorrhoids, you must adopt preventive steps and changes in your food and lifestyle habits. Essential oil with a carrier oil for treating piles is productive when it is used in combination with other remedies and curing factors.
Here are some of the important factors for faster healing of piles:
Eat fiber-rich foods daily; you need to get about 35 grams of fiber per day.
Eating a good bit of fermented food like kefir, pastured yogurt, kombucha, or kimchi is good for creating comfortable bowel moments.
Constipation or indigestion can be caused by dehydration due to a lack of sufficient water or fluid intake. Getting rid of constipation is essential for preventing piles. Drink 8-12 glasses of water daily to keep your body well hydrated.
Hemorrhoids get worsened if you consume alcohol or spicy foods.
Sitting too long on the toilet is the prime reason for piles in most patients. Try going to the toilet as soon as you feel the urge to go and complete the act quickly. Do not strain the rectum while passing the stool. Make sure to clean the anus and surrounding area neatly after excretion.
It is good to use herbal supplements to heal or prevent piles. Herbal remedies with supplements such as Butcher’s Broom, Pycnogenol, Horse Chestnut, Witch Hazel, or Psyllium Husk are greatly beneficial for healing and warding off piles.
The bottom line
Essential oils may be a good alternative remedy for getting rid of hemorrhoids.
However, it is best to use them as an additional boost to your regular treatments for piles.
It must also be noted that every patient does not respond to natural remedies in the same way. For some, they may work exceedingly well but for others, they may not.
For best results, you must get therapeutic-grade EOs from trustworthy sellers. Essential oils treatment for piles must be combined with proper toilet habits, fiber-rich diets, fermented foods, and healthy lifestyle habits to get fast relief from the disease.
Try using 4-5 drops of clove essential oil diluted in a carrier oil like coconut oil as the treatment for hemorrhoids.
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