Homeopathy for hemorrhoids

Homeopathy has plenty to offer if you have hemorrhoids, says David Needleman. Here’s a selection of his top soothing remedies

Many of us will suffer from hemorrhoids, also known as piles, at some point in our lives. Often caused by increased pressure due to pregnancy or straining during bowel movements, these swollen, inflamed blood vessels can be internal (inside the rectum) or external (around the anal opening).

Typical symptoms include bright red bleeding during bowel movements, anal itching, burning or discomfort, and lumps around the anus. They can sometimes resemble a small bunch of grapes and can be pinkish/purplish in color. They’re often painful, especially when sitting down.

The most commonly prescribed medications are creams or suppositories containing local anesthetics or astringents to shrink and relieve pain, and/or hydrocortisone as an anti-inflammatory.

Eating high-fiber foods and drinking plenty of water are usually recommended, alongside the use of laxatives.

Fortunately, homeopathy can be effective for hemorrhoids. As usual, it’s best to see a homeopath for an individual prescription, but here’s a roundup of some of the most important homeopathic remedies for hemorrhoids.

Homeopathic remedies for hemorrhoids

First, here’s a quick look at some of the most commonly used remedies for hemorrhoids and the symptoms they work best for.

Bleeding

Aesculus, Hamamelis, Nux Vomica, Phosphorus

Burning, smarting

Aesculus, Nux Vomica, Sulphur, Paeonia

Inflammation

Aesculus

Itching

Aesculus, Hamamelis, Nux Vomica, Paeonia

Protrusion

Aesculus, Hamamelis, Nux Vomica

Pain

Aesculus, Hamamelis, Lycopodium, Nux Vomica

Which remedy?

Here’s a closer look at some of the remedies for hemorrhoids and the symptom pictures for each remedy.

Aesculus Hippocastanum (horse chestnut)

This popular hemorrhoid remedy is indicated for the following symptoms:

• A dry, aching feeling in the rectum and a feeling of fullness, as if the area is full of small sticks or splinters
• Raw and sore anal area
• Prolapse (rectum slipping out after a bowel movement)
• Large, hard, dry stools that are difficult to pass
• Pain after passing stools
• A burning sensation in the anal area
• Sharp shooting pains or chills up the back
• Hemorrhoids that are internal and/or bleeding and get worse around menopause
• Swelling of the rectal lining that can obstruct the passage of stool
• Irritation from threadworms (Aesculus can help expel them)

Hamamelis Virginiana (witch hazel)

This well-known remedy is often used as a liquid extract of the plant and has many useful astringent properties. It’s commonly used to tighten skin, especially on the face, but it’s helpful for hemorrhoids too, particularly these symptoms:

• Raw and sore anal area
• Profuse bleeding with soreness
• A pulsating feeling in the rectum

Lycopodium

Reach for this remedy if your hemorrhoids ache and are excessively painful to touch.

Nux Vomica

This remedy is for those who overindulge on food, alcohol or anything else. Symptoms that suggest Nux Vomica include:

• Constipation or, at the other extreme, diarrhea
• Internal hemorrhoids that itch

Phosphorus

Phosphorus can help rebuild energy, so it’s the remedy of choice if your hemorrhoids cause significant blood loss. Debilitating diarrhea is another symptom that fits with Phosphorus.

Sulphur

This remedy repeatedly appears in the homeopathy reference books for hemorrhoids, although in practice, it tends not to be prescribed often. I find it’s good to have on standby, though. These are symptoms that suggest Sulphur as a remedy:

• Itching and burning of the anus
• Oozing hemorrhoids
• Symptoms that worsen with warmth

Paeonia (peony)

Paeonia is commonly used to relieve hemorrhoids, especially those accompanied by these symptoms:

• Burning, itching and swelling of the anal area
• Burning and severe pain after passing stools
• Anal fissures (small tears in the anus) or ulcers
• Hemorrhoids that are purple and covered with crusts

Sepia

Sepia is an excellent remedy for hemorrhoids associated with pregnancy and childbirth. It’s also used during pregnancy for morning sickness, varicose veins, stretch marks and hair loss.

These are some hemorrhoid-related symptoms that point to Sepia:

• Difficulty passing stools
• Bleeding after passing stools
• A full feeling in the rectum, as if there is a ball there
• Tiredness or lethargy

Suggested dosages

For all the remedies above, take in 30C potency, one pill three times a day until symptoms have improved.

Combination remedies

As a general treatment, the combination of Aesculus/Hamamelis and Paeonia known as AHP is the one to get. It is available from most homeopathic pharmacies as a pill, tablet, cream or ointment.

However, it can also be ordered as a pessary or suppository, generally made at a small size in glycerine so that it melts easily. This may take a few days to obtain because it takes time to make.

See Healthy Shopping: Homeopathic Remedies for Hemorrhoids for some topical homeopathic products currently on the market.

Suggested dosages

The AHP remedy is best in 30C potency.

For oral remedies: Take one pill or tablet three times a day until symptoms have improved.

For creams or ointments: Apply morning and evening and after each bowel movement.

For suppositories or pessaries: Insert one each morning and evening. Also take oral and topical doses.

Varicose veins

Varicose veins are very similar to hemorrhoids, so all the remedies mentioned here are also helpful for varicose veins. In my experience, the most useful and effective way to treat varicose veins is to take Aesculus and apply it in a gel daily.

There are a number of products on the market containing this remedy. It’s also very useful in pregnancy for stretch marks, used sparingly with or without Hamamelis.

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