Hemorrhoids are terrible. There are no two ways about it. When things are troubling you physically or emotionally, you can usually take comfort in sitting down. But hemorrhoids can even take that away from you.
They are uncomfortable, painful, and you usually want rid of them as soon as you can.
There a plenty of medications, medicated creams, and ointments that can help you out, but is there a natural treatment that can relieve your hemorrhoid discomfort?
There is, as many use coconut oil for hemorrhoids (piles). We’ll discuss how to apply coconut oil for hemorrhoids (piles), how to use coconut oil in the diet for hemorrhoids (piles), and why you can use coconut oil for hemorrhoid pain. Is coconut oil good for hemorrhoids? You’re about to find out.
What Are Hemorrhoids?
Before we get into how coconut oil can help your hemorrhoids, let us discuss what hemorrhoids actually are. Hemorrhoids are swollen, inflamed veins around the anus or lower rectum. These can occur under the skin of the anus or inside the anus itself.
Hemorrhoids can be the result of straining too much while passing a bowel movement, with pregnancy, diarrhea, and constipation all contributing to their formation. Now that we are familiar with the causes and creation of hemorrhoids, we can move on to how you can use coconut oil as a treatment for your hemorrhoids.
How to Lower Risk of Hemorrhoids with Coconut Oil Externally
Coconut oil has been used in many different home remedies for a variety of health issues, and hemorrhoids are no exception. Coconut oil has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties that make it ideal as a topical treatment. To use coconut oil externally, take a cotton ball and dip it into a generous amount of coconut oil. Apply the coconut oil to the hemorrhoidal area.
Repeat this process two or three times a day until you find relief or the hemorrhoids disappear. For the best results, you may want to try virgin coconut oil for hemorrhoids. You can also try mixing the coconut oil with witch hazel for added healing effects.
Using Coconut Oil in Your Diet to Combat Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids can be the result of a number of digestive issues that lead to diarrhea and constipation. To that end, coconut oil can be useful when added to your diet. As mentioned, coconut oil is known for its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which could help smooth out common digestive system problems.
The coconut oil may help your system better digest food, which could ease constipation and help get rid of the bacteria that cause diarrhea. If you are going to take coconut oil in this method, you can mix it into meals (it really works well in curries) or just drink one to three tablespoons of oil (you can easily mix it with warm green tea).
Use of Other Natural Treatments for Hemorrhoids
Coconut oil is probably the most highly recommended oil for hemorrhoids, but there are a number of other natural treatments that you can use in combination with coconut oil to soothe the pain and discomfort of hemorrhoids. These treatments can include:
Ice:
The simplest treatment in the world. You can use ice or ice packs to help reduce the swelling of hemorrhoids.
Almond oil:
Almond oil can help reduce the size of hemorrhoids due to its healing properties. Essentially, you apply it with a cotton ball in a similar method as you would apply coconut oil.
Apple Cider Vinegar:
Apple cider vinegar is said to be very effective for aiding the digestive system— much like coconut oil. Take one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and mix it with a glass of water.
While not a direct treatment for hemorrhoids, adding fiber to the diet could help out with prevention. A fair amount of fiber in your diet may help prevent constipation and firm up your stool so that diarrhea doesn’t take place.
Take Care of Your Hemorrhoids
As you’re likely well aware, hemorrhoids can be truly annoying. They’re nothing that you want to really deal with. Luckily, coconut oil can help ease not only the symptoms, but it could also help prevent hemorrhoids from happening in the first place. Coconut oil is easy to use and easy to get, so the next time you get piles, you may want to try it.
Sources:
“Hemorrhoids,” Medline Plus; https://medlineplus.gov/hemorrhoids.html, last accessed June 2, 2017.
Pulsipher, C., “Coconut Oil for Hemorrhoids,” Sun Warrior, September 11, 2016; https://sunwarrior.com/healthhub/coconut-oil-hemorrhoids, last accessed June 2, 2017.
“How and Why to use Coconut oil for Hemorrhoids,” Health Gallery; http://www.health.gallery/how-and-why-to-use-coconut-oil-for-hemorrhoids-295.html, last accessed June 2, 2017.
“How To Get Rid Of Hemorrhoids Naturally With Coconut Oil,” Home Remedies for Life, February 2, 2017; http://homeremediesforlife.com/coconut-oil-for-hemorrhoids/, last accessed June 2, 2017.
“28 Natural Home Remedies to Get Rid of Hemorrhoids,” Home Remedy Hacks, March 5, 2015; http://www.homeremedyhacks.com/28-natural-home-remedies-to-get-rid-of-hemorrhoids/, last accessed June 2, 2017.