Using EOs for Hemorrhoids – Does it Work?
What is a Haemorrhoid?
To begin with, let’s get a handle on exactly what this health issue is. If you were to google the term, or look in a dictionary, you’ll get something along the lines of the following for the Haemorrhoid definition:
“A swollen singular, or grouping, of veins that are located in the area of the anus”.
Delightful, I know!! But, that’s the issue that we are dealing with. Indeed, it’s a health issue that countless people all over the world are afflicted with on a daily basis.
Some reports even suggest that this issue will affect up to 70% of people at some point in their lives.
This leads us nicely to the next point…
How Do You Get Them?
Also known as Piles, a haemorrhoid is a vein that is located in the rectum and who has the job of controlling our stool. These veins are therefore quite important in order to achieve a healthy anal canal as well as the functions that go with this area of the body.
However, health issues can start to occur if these veins become inflamed. This will lead to enlarging of the veins and the surrounding tissue which will then result in pain and bleeding. Not nice When the veins reach this stage, they become rectal lumps and can be either external or internal in form.
In terms of the exact causes of this health issue, the following list of bullet points are the common ways in which Piles are caused or made worse:
The Associated Taboo
A major problem and issue that surrounds this particular health affliction is not a physical one but rather a psychological one – this being that people can get incredibly embarrassed by this ailment.
This is completely understandable when you take into consideration the area and symptoms involved. If you’ve reading this article, or have researched this topic, then I’m sure you have seen the haemorrhoid photos that can be found online. They’re not pretty.
Unfortunately, this sense of embarrassment can lead people to avoid treatment as they do not want to visit their local doctor or tell a loved one.
Instead, they will try and live with the discomfort and pain in the hope that their Piles will go away on their own accord. As I’m sure you’re now thinking, this not a particularly effective or practical way of treating any medical issue!!
This is doubly so when taking into account an ailment as painful and discomforting as rectal lumps. So, if you don’t fancy making a trip to your doctor just yet, what are the other options? There are a few that are well worth a try. One such one is…
Using Essential Oils for Hemorrhoids Treatment
When it comes to answering the question of what to do for hemorrhoids, essential oils are a common home cure that many people have found to be effective. This method also means that you do not need to involve anyone else in your treatment which is a bit of relief it must be said.
These natural oils are remarkably efficient at both treating a whole host of varying medical issues as well as delivering numerous health benefits. With regards to the issue that we’re looking at in this article, below is a list of benefits/reasons as to why EOs are a great treatment option for Piles:
Why are they so effective, I hear you ask? Well, simply, because EOs have huge amounts of naturally beneficial elements such as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-infective agents, as well as possessing a whole host of vitamins and enzymes. All of these super agents and elements enter the thin anal skin in no time at all which means they can start the healing process almost immediately after coming in contact with the skin.
Which Are the Best Options?
Frankincense (The Health Base Top Pick)
This oil is by far one of the more interesting EOs as it used to have quite hefty religious links. In fact, it was even one of the gifts that the Three Wise Men gave to baby Jesus on his birthday! It doesn’t get more religious than that.
In terms of treating this issue, Frankincense is such a viable option because of its ability to relax the body’s nervous system as well as being an effective cleansing agent. These two positives will cause the bacteria of the Piles to be targeted and then destroyed.
In addition, this EO will contract the blood vessels that have been affected by the bacteria. This will help to cease any bleeding as well as speeding up the healing process.
Click to learn more about Frankincense oil's uses and benefits.
Lavender
Lavender oil is well known for having soothing capabilities that are regularly used for relieving pain and inflammation – the two things that are the major issue with Piles.
Much like it can be used for anxiety or insomnia issues, Lavender oil is perfectly suited to calm areas of the body that are struggling with an ailment.
Administrating this oil to the affected area will bring relief from the discomfort associated with rectal lumps.
Tea Tree
This oil is famous for its marvellous anti-inflammatory properties. Originating from the Melaleuca tree which can be found in Australia, this oil has been used for generations to treat a whole host of medical issues.
Because of its very strong anti-inflammatory capabilities, Tea Tree oil is often used for treating minor wounds as well as such skin ailments as acne. This overall makes it a very attractive option for dealing with this particular problem.
Cypress
This oil is one that is not as commonly known as the three I’ve mentioned thus far, but yet is still widely used when it comes to treating Piles. This is because this oil is particularly good at stopping any bleeding.
It manages to do this by constricting the affected blood vessels which will not only stem the flow of blood, but will also greatly help to treat the lumps and tears that have already emerged.
In terms of using this oil, it’s advisable that you blend it with a carrier oil (an oil that is used to dilute the potency of an EO). Also known as base oils, these substances include Coconut; Avocado; Jojoba; or Sweet Almond.
How to Apply Essential Oils?
When it comes to using EOs for this problem, the type of oil that you are using will dictate the method. You can either apply the essential oil directly to the affected area, or you’ll have to dilute it firstly with a carrier oil before applying.
In terms of the actual application, the best method is to place 2 – 3 drops of your chosen oil onto a cloth or wipe. Then gently dab the affected area – it’s advised that you don’t rub or wipe the lumps as this may irritate them.
Repeat this twice daily and you should start to see an improvement after a few days. Of course, the treatment will depend on the severity of the problem.
Other Possible Treatments for Hemorrhoids
When it comes to treating a haemorrhoid problem, there are other methods that people use. Below are one that I’d recommend, and also one that I’d stay clear of.
Apple Cider Vinegar
When you’re trying to figure out what’s the best haemorrhoid treatment, a method that tends to pop up is the use of apple cider vinegar. Now, this substance has indeed been proven to reduce both the swelling and inflammation associated with Piles – both the internal and external variations.
However, that is where the good part of using this method stops in my humble opinion. The main reason why I would be hesitant to use apple cider vinegar, or indeed recommend it, is because of the very nature of the substance in question.
Apple cider vinegar is raw and unfiltered and can be very harmful to your skin if used in its pure form. In fact, it will burn your skin such is its acidic nature. This is why you should be careful when considering using this method. If you do want to give it a go, then absolutely make sure that you dilute the vinegar with water before applying it.
Cream
Using a cream that has been specifically designed to target and heal Piles seems like a no brainer! The top creams have been formulated, tested, and proven to be effective in combating this ailment as well as expediting the healing process.
So, there’s no question that such a cream is greatly beneficial when it comes to treating this problem, but, and this is key, how do you figure out which is the best hemorrhoid cream? This is the tricky part.
Every health issue that you can possibly think of comes with a plethora of different treatment types and then numerous variations of these types. There are brands upon brands upon brands – it really does seem endless. The Creams for this issue that we're discussing are no different. But how to narrow them down?
Well, when it comes to pinpointing the best brands, a clever tactic is to start with reviews. Reviews and testimonials are super informative because they come from people who have actually tried the product in question and then decided to document their experiences and results. This is gold.
We at the Health Base always recommend that you do your own research when it comes to reading reviews and sorting through the different brands. However, to give you a head start, why not take a look at our thorough guide by clicking on the image below. In this guide we mention a top rated cream that comes with a tonne of positive feedback.
Thanks for reading! 🙂
Take Care & Be Well,
Maria
P.S. - Please also check out our complete Hemorrhoids treatment guide.