Should You Use Herbal Supplements to Treat Hemorrhoids?

Herbal supplementation is growing all the more popular in today’s society, where people are seeking an easy way out of their health and emotional miseries by supposedly going for things that are natural and fresh. Herbal supplements are now used to treat everything from colds to cancer, and they can be found everywhere, from your grocery to your neighborhood supermarket. But are herbal supplements reliable? And can herbal supplements treat hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids are embarrassing to find a treatment for, which is why many people rely on word of mouth to get some herbal supplements to help them through their hemorrhoid woes. Hemorrhoids have many different causes, but they can be exacerbated mainly by hard bowels that are difficult to move. Bowels can be hard because of many different reasons as well, but the most common reason is lack of water and fiber in the diet.

Today’s fast-paced society demands that we all work quickly and even forget about eating. This can be dangerous if you do it habitually, and if you resort to eating fast food items that are loaded with a lot of salt, lard, and preservatives. These take a toll especially if you neglect to drink water, and if you rely too much on coffee and soda to keep you up. With all these diuretics in your diet, and not enough water to keep you hydrated, you will end up fatigued and tired all the time, and you may also feel constipated. Soon, you can be the victim of hemorrhoids.

You might reach for that bottle of herbal pills or for that can of herbal cream – but the problem with some herbal products is that they will often boast of being the one and only cure that will rid you of your hemorrhoid problem. In medicine, there is no such thing as a panacea, a cure all, or a silver bullet that will rid you of all your miseries. True, you can take a herbal supplement if it works, but you should not rely entirely on it to save you from your hemorrhoids.

Because hemorrhoids are caused by a poor diet, you will need to drink a lot more water than you are accustomed to, and eat a lot more fiber by consuming more fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, cereals, oatmeal, corn, rice, and other foods high in fiber. You will also need to stay away from salty foods, spicy foods, and diuretics.

Along with these healthy diet habits, lubricate your anal area with some petroleum jelly, but use a swab. You might also be recommended some suppositories to help you get rid of your constipation, but they hardly work, according to doctors. Instead, go for relieving, lubricating creams, such as a medically approved jelly, aloe gel, or even butcher’s broom, all of which can ease your hemorrhoid pain, and all of which can aid in faster and easier bowel passage.

While undergoing any hemorrhoid treatment, be kind to yourself. Do not lift heavy things, don’t scratch your behind, and soak yourself in warm water while raising your knees. This can help alleviate the pain somewhat. Moreover, when cleaning your rectal area, do not rub or scratch, especially with toilet paper. If you must use toilet paper, make sure that it is unscented and not colored, and relatively soft; if not, dampen it first with a bit of water before using it. If you have the budget, get a bidet so that you can simply wash your rectal area out after you defecate.

Moreover, always consult with your doctor first. There is nothing wrong with taking a herbal supplement to help you out with your hemorrhoids, but you should always get the approval of a physician first. Some herbal supplements may have active ingredients that can interfere with other medications that you might be taking, or medical conditions that you might have. As soon as you have cleared it with your physician, that herbal supplement may soon be put to work and you can be healthier in no time.

About the author: John Tulley manages the Alpha7 herbal supplements web site. Our web site has more detailed information on a natural treatment for hemorrhoids and other herbal remedies for weight loss, acne, thyroid, colon, bowel, diabetics, prostate, menopause, hair loss etc...