Traditional hemorrhoid remedies to feel better fast

People may not like to talk about them, but when hemorrhoids hit, they need a remedy — and fast. Treated early, they can be controlled effectively with natural means.

Caused by excessive straining during a bowel movement, hemorrhoids are basically swollen veins in the anus, accompanied by itching and sometimes sharp pain. Hemorrhoids may be internal — that is, within the anal canal — or external, when they may be felt as little knobs or balls around the anal opening. Hemorrhoids are usually caused by constipation, and constipation also makes existing hemorrhoids worse.

• A cold wash after a bowel movement reduces itching and helps your blood vessels contract. Soak a linen cloth with cold water (54 to 60°F or 12 to 16°C), wring it out, and wash the affected area, leaving a thin film of water on your skin. Do not dry it off, but put on your underwear and lie under the covers in bed until your skin warms up.
• Take a sitz bath. Oak bark and horsetail contain tannins that have an anti-inflammatory effect. Boil two handfuls of oak bark or horsetail in two litres (eight cups) of water for 15 minutes, then strain. Pour the broth, cooled to body temperature, into a small basin and sit in it for five minutes twice daily.
• An essential oil sitz bath also alleviates discomfort: put two drops each of cypress and chamomile oil and one drop of peppermint oil into a small basin filled with water at body temperature. Take a five-minute sitz bath, then carefully dab the anal area dry and apply chamomile oil.
• Alleviate itching by placing a cotton ball soaked in oil between your buttocks to prevent friction.
• Salves containing pot marigold or witch hazel reduce inflammation and bleeding considerably.
• Raspberries can aid digestion and soften your stool to prevent further stress to your hemorrhoids. If you have a tendency toward hemorrhoids, it's a good idea to stock up on raspberries in season and freeze them in small portions.
• Dab on a little zinc oxide or petroleum jelly with a clean cotton ball. Tests prove that these everyday items are just as effective as pricier alternatives for soothing hemorrhoid pain.

• A diet high in fibre produces softer stools, protecting against hemorrhoids.
• Adequate fluid intake prevents constipation. Drink at least six extra glasses of water daily to help soften stools.
• Gentle and regular exercise encourages regular bowel movements.
• Use soft toilet paper or moisten the paper with a little water before use.
• Be careful about reading in the bathroom — sitting too long on the toilet seat increases pressure on the rectum.

Keep these tips in mind when you're experiencing pain, and you should be able to cope with your hemorrhoids in no time.