Homeopathic Remedies for the Treatment of Hemorrhoids
By: Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, Ph.D, ND, DACBN and Brandon Miller
A homeopathic medication is one that produces a small amount the same symptom the patient is hoping to cure. Sounds like a bad idea, doesn't it? But really, the premise behind homeopathic remedies is that using a minimum dose of the medication, the body's on natural regulation and self-healing properties will fight off the disease or infection that is causing symptoms. This approach allows the body to treat conditions that are not treatable by conventional methods. And homeopathic medications offer the possibility of a cure rather than just a mask of symptoms, at a price that is much smaller than traditional medications.
Homeopathic remedies can be used to treat the individual symptoms of hemorrhoids. The remedy you need to use depends on the type, location, and severity of your hemorrhoids. Here's what you need to know about hemorrhoids, and the homeopathic medications you can use to treat them.
What are hemorrhoids?
Hemorrhoids are swollen veins that occur either inside the anus or under the tissue surrounding the anus. They are caused by excessive pressure on the veins in the rectal area. Normally, as the body's waste enters the pelvic and rectal canal, the tissues surrounding the inside of the anus (sometimes called "anal cushions,) fill with blood to help control bowel movements. Hemorrhoids develop when there is too much pressure exerted in this area, either from constipation, heavy lifting, child birth, or other factors. This pressure causes the veins within these cushions to swell and stretch. Hemorrhoids develop when the tissue surrounding the anus is no longer able to support these swollen veins. They begin to bulge, forming tiny sacs either inside the rectum or under the skin around the anus.
What Are Internal And External Hemorrhoids?
Hemorrhoids can be either internal or external. Internal hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels that form inside the anus. They are usually not painful, but they may bleed. Bright red blood in the stool or on the toilet tissue is a classic symptom of an internal hemorrhoid. Sometimes, an internal hemorrhoid may become a prolapsed hemorrhoid if it protrudes through the rectum and hangs outside of the anus. External hemorrhoids occur in the veins around the anus. They can be itchy and painful and occasionally, an external hemorrhoid will crack or bleed.
Who can get hemorrhoids?
Just about everyone is susceptible to developing hemorrhoids. Nearly half of all adults in the United States will develop a hemorrhoid at some point in their lives. Hemorrhoids run in families, so if your parents were hemorrhoid sufferers, it is likely that you will be too. Pregnant women often develop hemorrhoids because of the prenatal strain on the body. Weight, poor diet, improper lifting technique, lack of exercise, hormonal changes, certain medications, spinal cord injuries, and certain disease such as lung disease and heart disease, are all contributing factors to the development of hemorrhoids.
What are the symptoms of hemorrhoids?
The symptoms you will experience depend on the type, location and severity of the hemorrhoid. Hemorrhoids that develop inside the rectum (internal hemorrhoids) usually do not hurt but they may bleed. Bright red blood will appear during bowel movements, either on the toilet paper or mixed in with the stools. External hemorrhoids occur under the skin surrounding the anus. They can be itchy and painful and they may occasionally crack and bleed.
Homeopathic Remedies For Hemorrhoids
Aloe: Aloe helps to heal sore, bleeding, and burning hemorrhoids use the fresh pulp of the medicinal plant to relieve pressure on the rectal veins.
Apis Mellifica: Apis mellifica can be used externally on the anus to heal tissue that is red, burning, and itching.
Calendula: Calendula is a homeopathic ointment that can be applied locally to hemorrhoids. It is a remarkable healing agent used for healing open wounds that will not heal, such as ulcers and hemorrhoids. Calendula promotes healthy granulations and rapid healing with the first application.
Collinsonia Canadensis: Commonly called stone root, collinsonia helps to relieve pruritus in pregnancy, dry stools, anal itching, constipation, and hemorrhoids that produce sharp, stabbing pains.
Graphites: Graphites help to alleviate the burning, itching, and soreness associated with hemorrhoids. Also called black lead, graphites can also be used to relieve constipation and anal fissures.
Nitricum Acidum: Nitricum acidum is also known as nitric acid. It is indicated for profusely bleeding hemorrhoids as well as intense constipation. This remedy is also useful when there are stabbing pains after a bowel movement.
Nux Vomica: This homeopathic remedy is indicated for itching, painful hemorrhoids, and pressure in the rectum that is also associated with hemorrhoids.
Paeonia Officinalis: Paeonia officinalis is used for treating anal itching, hemorrhoids, anal fissures, and anal ulcerations. This homeopathic remedy is commonly referred to as Peony.
Pulsatilla: Pulsatilla can be used for hemorrhoids that present intense itching and sharp sticking pains. This remedy is particularly useful for hemorrhoids that occur with pregnancy or around the menstrual period.
Sulphur: A person who needs Sulphur is one who does not feel relief from warmth or from a sitz bath. Sulphur helps to heal redness around the anus that is associated with itching and burning and for relieving protruding hemorrhoids.
