Prime Women are in the prime age bracket for experiencing hemorrhoids; in fact, more than half of us will suffer from them. Hemorrhoids are swollen veins around the perimeter of the anus; you may have heard Grandma or Mom refer to them as piles. Whatever you call them, the sooner they’re resolved, the better.
You may be interested to know that everyone has hemorrhoids, which are naturally-present cushions of tissue that are filled with blood vessels. They are located at the end of the rectum, just inside the anus, and their role is to help push feces out of the anus. In common usage, when someone says they “have hemorrhoids,” they mean that they are experiencing enlarged, inflamed hemorrhoids whose symptoms can include painful bowel movements, itching, or bleeding.
If you experience hemorrhoids, reconsider the mainstream tendency to run to the drugstore for an over-the-counter pharmaceutical cream with anti-inflammatory properties. Instead, consider a natural approach to hemorrhoid relief and prevention.
If we understand their cause—and keep a few essential oils on hand in case we get them—we can shrink them down and won’t have to suffer for long.
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Essential Oils for Hemorrhoids
Mother Nature has given us some beautiful medicinal plants whose essential oils will work in concert with your body and give you relief:
Lavender essential oil: This likely won’t surprise you because lavender oil is closely associated with the relaxation response; it helps reduce inflammation with its potent antioxidant properties.
Frankincense essential oil: This age-old essential oil is known for its ability to reduce pain and inflammation as well as kill several types of infection-causing bacteria.
Turmeric essential oil: Turmeric oil provides pain relief by soothing inflamed skin and can help heal any fissures that may have developed
Calendula essential oil: Calendula reduces pain and swelling and aids in healing
Cypress essential oil: This oil has astringent properties that contract blood vessels and tighten tissues. Like lavender, Cypress supports the relaxation response.
How to Use Essential Oils for Hemorrhoid Relief
The old saying, “You get what you pay for,” is a good adage for essential oils. The FDA does not regulate essential oils, so make sure you buy quality oil from a conscientious company. Some good quality brands include Rocky Mountain Oils, Now Foods (which is affordable and widely available), Aura Cacia (available at Whole Foods), Public Goods, and essential oils from direct marketers doTERRA and Young Living, to name a few.
The best essential oils are concentrated and very potent, so it is not advisable to not put essential oils directly on your skin, especially not on the sensitive skin around your anus. Dilute the essential oils by mixing a few drops of the essential oil with a mild carrier oil such as:
extra virgin or fractionated coconut oil
pure shea butter
pure aloe vera
Use a cotton ball or cotton pad to apply the oily mixture. Note that even before you buy essential oils, any coconut oil or aloe vera you have on hand can give you some immediate relief.
During this time of healing, you will also likely feel better if you wear breathable cotton instead of synthetic underwear, which can aid in getting air to the affected area.
Understand the Root Causes
In order to avoid or reduce the possibility of reoccurrence, it’s important to understand some common potential causes of hemorrhoids. A primary cause includes excessive pressure around the anus from:
Digestive issues such as constipation or diarrhea
Straining during a bowel movement
Sitting for long periods of time on the toilet
Over-aggressive wiping of the area
Prevent Future Hemorrhoids
Now that we’ve gotten to the root of what causes inflamed hemorrhoids let’s get down to how to prevent them from happening or reoccurring. Our gastrointestinal tract goes from the mouth to the anus, so to avoid problems at the end of the process, be mindful and intentional about what you eat, which kicks off the digestive process.
To prevent hemorrhoids, it’s essential to eat plenty of fiber—the recommended daily amount for women is 25 grams—and drink eight glasses of water every day. Dehydration can lead to constipation. When you eat enough fiber and drink enough water, your stool will be easier to pass, which will, in turn, reduce the necessity of activities that cause the pressure that results in hemorrhoids.
Also, take note of the three kinds of fiber: prebiotic fiber, soluble fiber, and insoluble fiber.
Prebiotic fiber feeds the gut microbiome and includes bananas, garlic, onion, and dandelion greens.
Soluble fiber moves waste products through and is found in flaxseeds, apples, psyllium husk, avocados, and Brussels sprouts.
Insoluble fiber adds bulk to the large intestine and helps move things along. Eat root vegetables such as carrots, beets, and parsnips; fruit with edible seeds such as raspberries, grapes, and kiwis; nuts such as almonds, pistachios, and walnuts; chia, pumpkin, and sunflower seeds; and high-fiber legumes such as lentils, kidney beans, black beans, peas, and chickpeas.
Armed with this knowledge, you’ll be able to resolve and even prevent inflamed hemorrhoids. Essential oils are an effective treatment for hemorrhoid pain, wound healing, swollen blood vessels in the rectal area, and other hemorrhoid symptoms. If you have painful hemorrhoids, consider this amazing natural treatment to bring quick relief. Just a small amount of this hemorrhoid treatment, even just a few drops of essential oil, can begin the healing process and bring on a cooling effect to relieve skin irritation and improve blood circulation to the affected area.
As with anything involving your health, it’s also a good idea to check with your health care practitioner about the best course of action for your particular situation.
