Hemorrhoids (Piles) - Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment
Hemorrhoids are clumps of tissue within the anal canal that contain blood vessels and the surrounding, supporting tissue made up of muscle and elastic fibers.
Hemorrhoids can be either internal or external.
Long standing constipation, pregnancy, tumors in the pelvis and chronic diarrhea and dysentery are some of the known causes of hemorrhoids.
Bulging of the hemorrhoids, especially while passing stools; bleeding; itching; and pain in case of strangulated hemorrhoids, are common symptoms of this condition.
The Ayurvedic treatment of hemorrhoids is aimed at reducing the size of the swelling, treating the symptoms and preventing recurrence of this condition.
Treating constipation is believed to be the mainstay of treatment for this condition.
All patients affected with hemorrhoids are advised to adopt a high fiber diet, with a daily intake of large amounts of fruits and vegetables.
Consumption of large quantities of water and milk also help in the formation of soft stools.
In addition, for bulk formation and easy passage of stools, medicines like Isabgol (Plantago ovata), Triphala (Three fruits), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Gandharva-Haritaki, Avipattikar-Churna, Samudradi-Lavan, Shankh-Vati, Hingashtak-Churna, Arogya-Vardhini and Kutki (Picrorrhiza kurroa) are used.
Medicines like Kutaj (Holarrhina antidysentrica), Yashtimadhuk (Glycerrhiza glabra), Musta (Cyperus rotundus), Suran (Amorphophallus campanulatus), Dhamasa (Fagonia cretica), Jeerak (Cuminum cyminum) and Naagkeshar (Messua ferrea) are used to treat bleeding piles.
The combined action of these medicines reduces the bulk of the hemorrhoids, stops bleeding and heals the mucous membrane.
For non-bleeding, itching hemorrhoids, medicines like Bhallatak (Semicarpus anacardium), Chitrak (Plumbago zeylanica), Marich (Piper nigrum) and Chavya (Piper retrofractum) are used.
Local application on the hemorrhoids is an important aspect of treatment in order to give immediate relief from pain, bleeding and itching.
Medicated oils and ointments are used for this purpose including Jatyadi oil, Yashtimadhuk-Ghrut, Kaasisadi oil and ointments containing Yashtimadhuk, Naagkeshar, Sphatik-Bhasma, Mandukparni (Centella asiatica) and Haridra (Curcuma longa).
In order to reduce severe pain, patients are advised to soak in a bath- tub filled with warm water for about five to ten minutes, two or three times a day.
This relieves the pain and swelling in the hemorrhoids and helps in easy passage of stools.
The majority of patients with hemorrhoids can be managed quite well with medicines, local applications and lifestyle modifications.
About 10% of severe cases who do not respond to these medicines need to be treated surgically.
Alternatively, patients can be offered 'Kshar-sutra' (medicated suture ligation) treatment which helps in complete eradication of the piles without the inherent risks of surgery.
Hemorrhoids can be either internal or external.
Long standing constipation, pregnancy, tumors in the pelvis and chronic diarrhea and dysentery are some of the known causes of hemorrhoids.
Bulging of the hemorrhoids, especially while passing stools; bleeding; itching; and pain in case of strangulated hemorrhoids, are common symptoms of this condition.
The Ayurvedic treatment of hemorrhoids is aimed at reducing the size of the swelling, treating the symptoms and preventing recurrence of this condition.
Treating constipation is believed to be the mainstay of treatment for this condition.
All patients affected with hemorrhoids are advised to adopt a high fiber diet, with a daily intake of large amounts of fruits and vegetables.
Consumption of large quantities of water and milk also help in the formation of soft stools.
In addition, for bulk formation and easy passage of stools, medicines like Isabgol (Plantago ovata), Triphala (Three fruits), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Gandharva-Haritaki, Avipattikar-Churna, Samudradi-Lavan, Shankh-Vati, Hingashtak-Churna, Arogya-Vardhini and Kutki (Picrorrhiza kurroa) are used.
Medicines like Kutaj (Holarrhina antidysentrica), Yashtimadhuk (Glycerrhiza glabra), Musta (Cyperus rotundus), Suran (Amorphophallus campanulatus), Dhamasa (Fagonia cretica), Jeerak (Cuminum cyminum) and Naagkeshar (Messua ferrea) are used to treat bleeding piles.
The combined action of these medicines reduces the bulk of the hemorrhoids, stops bleeding and heals the mucous membrane.
For non-bleeding, itching hemorrhoids, medicines like Bhallatak (Semicarpus anacardium), Chitrak (Plumbago zeylanica), Marich (Piper nigrum) and Chavya (Piper retrofractum) are used.
Local application on the hemorrhoids is an important aspect of treatment in order to give immediate relief from pain, bleeding and itching.
Medicated oils and ointments are used for this purpose including Jatyadi oil, Yashtimadhuk-Ghrut, Kaasisadi oil and ointments containing Yashtimadhuk, Naagkeshar, Sphatik-Bhasma, Mandukparni (Centella asiatica) and Haridra (Curcuma longa).
In order to reduce severe pain, patients are advised to soak in a bath- tub filled with warm water for about five to ten minutes, two or three times a day.
This relieves the pain and swelling in the hemorrhoids and helps in easy passage of stools.
The majority of patients with hemorrhoids can be managed quite well with medicines, local applications and lifestyle modifications.
About 10% of severe cases who do not respond to these medicines need to be treated surgically.
Alternatively, patients can be offered 'Kshar-sutra' (medicated suture ligation) treatment which helps in complete eradication of the piles without the inherent risks of surgery.