Home Remedies for Hemorrhoids: 12 Simple Options

Home remedies for hemorrhoids may help relieve pain, itching, swelling, and discomfort, especially when combined with medical treatment. These remedies are often used for external hemorrhoids, which can cause irritation and small lumps around the anus.

Common home remedies for hemorrhoids include sitz baths with ingredients like horse chestnut or Epsom salts, as well as topical options such as witch hazel and aloe vera. Other approaches, such as increasing fiber intake and using psyllium, can help soften stools and reduce strain during bowel movements.

Some home remedies for hemorrhoids also include supplements like garlic, along with simple options like cold compresses to reduce inflammation. While these methods may support symptom relief and healing, medical treatments such as ointments or pain relievers may be needed in more severe cases.

Natural remedies for external hemorrhoids

External hemorrhoids are small lumps that form around the anus and can cause pain, itching, and significant discomfort.

1. Sitz bath with horse chestnut

Horse chestnut is a natural remedy with strong scientific support for use in external hemorrhoids, as it may help improve blood circulation. It is also rich in escin, a type of saponin with anti-inflammatory effects that may help relieve pain and discomfort.

Ingredients:

• 60 g of horse chestnut bark

• 2 liters of boiling water

Preparation:

Mix the ingredients and let them boil for another 12 minutes. Then let the mixture cool until warm, strain it, and pour it into a basin. Sit in the water without underwear for 20 minutes. This home remedy can be repeated as needed for at least 5 days.

Horse chestnut can also be taken as tablets or capsules, and a common suggested dose is about 300 mg per day.

2. Sitz bath with cypress

Cypress has soothing and antimicrobial properties that may help control pain and reduce hemorrhoid swelling.

Ingredients

• 1.5 liters of boiling water

• 8 drops of cypress essential oil

Preparation:

Add the cypress essential oil drops to the hot water and mix well. When the water temperature is comfortable, sit in the basin for at least 20 minutes to allow the remedy to take effect.

Another option is to mix 2 or 3 drops of cypress essential oil with a carrier oil, such as sweet almond oil, and apply it directly to the area. Essential oil should not be applied directly to the skin, as it may cause burning or irritation.

3. Homemade witch hazel ointment

Witch hazel is another plant with anti-inflammatory and soothing properties that may help relieve hemorrhoid symptoms. One way to use witch hazel is to make a homemade ointment:

Ingredients:

• 60 mL (2 oz) of mineral oil

• 4 tablespoons of witch hazel bark

• 30 mL (1 oz) of glycerin

Preparation:

Place the mineral oil and witch hazel in a pan and boil for 5 minutes. Then strain and add 30 mL (1 oz) of glycerin to the mixture. Place in a container with a lid and store in the refrigerator. Use daily, as needed, for about 1 month.

4. Sitz bath with Epsom salts

Epsom salts can also be used for hemorrhoids, as they may help reduce inflammation and can be easily added to water. In addition to the warm water, which can help relax the anal area, this home remedy has an anti-inflammatory effect from the salts.

Ingredients:

• 2 to 3 tablespoons of Epsom salts

• 2 liters of boiling water

Preparation:

Mix the salts into the water until they dissolve. Then let the water cool until warm and sit in a basin with the mixture, without underwear, for about 15 to 20 minutes. This sitz bath can be repeated 2 to 3 times per day.

5. Chamomile compress

Chamomile has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties, so applying chamomile compresses to hemorrhoids may help reduce discomfort.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon of dried chamomile flowers

• 100 mL of water

Preparation:

Bring the water to a boil, turn off the heat, and add the chamomile flowers. Let it steep for 5 minutes, strain, soak a clean cloth in the tea, and apply it to the affected area for 15 minutes.

6. Aloe vera gel

Aloe vera has healing properties that may help hemorrhoids improve faster, while also reducing discomfort in the area.

Ingredients:

• 3 aloe vera leaves

Preparation:

Cut 3 aloe vera leaves, remove the side spines, and place the leaves in a container with water for 24 hours. Change the water every 3 to 4 hours so the leaves can release a substance called aloin, which can be toxic.

After 24 hours, discard the water, extract the gel from the leaves, and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Apply the gel to the affected area every day, as needed.

7. Cold compresses

Cold compresses or ice packs placed on the affected area help relieve inflammation, especially in cases of very painful external hemorrhoids. To do this, dampen a towel with cold water or wrap ice in a towel and apply it to the area for 15 minutes, repeating as often as needed. Ice should not be applied directly to the skin.

Remedies for internal hemorrhoids

Internal hemorrhoids can be harder to treat, as there are fewer home remedies available. However, some supplements and foods may help improve symptoms by supporting blood circulation or bowel function:

1. Garlic supplements

Taking garlic supplements daily may help strengthen intestinal blood vessels and support blood flow, helping to relieve pain and discomfort and reduce the risk of new hemorrhoids.

The commonly suggested dose of garlic supplements is 600 to 1200 mg per day, divided into 2 to 3 doses. However, the dose should always be adjusted individually by a healthcare professional.

In addition to supplements, eating more garlic may offer similar benefits, so another natural option is to use garlic in meals whenever possible.

2. Fiber-rich foods

Another good strategy to relieve pain caused by internal hemorrhoids is to make stools softer and easier to pass. According to the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, increasing fiber and fluid intake is a first-line treatment for hemorrhoids and helps reduce symptoms such as pain and bleeding.

Some foods that help improve bowel movements include kiwi, prunes, papaya, and pumpkin seeds. It is recommended to consume about 25 grams of fiber per day for women and 38 grams for men, in addition to drinking 8 glasses of water per day.

Another way to consume more fiber is to add 1 tablespoon of psyllium to meals. Psyllium is a highly soluble fiber that can be purchased at pharmacies and drugstores.

3. Echinacea supplements

In cases of very painful, inflamed hemorrhoids, echinacea supplements may be a natural option because they have anti-inflammatory and immune-supporting properties, which may help relieve pain and support the body’s response to infection.

4. Horse chestnut tea

Horse chestnut has anti-inflammatory, vasoconstrictive, and antithrombotic properties. It may help strengthen veins, reduce capillary permeability and fragility, activate blood circulation, and support venous return, helping prevent hemorrhoids as well as varicose veins and thrombophlebitis.

Ingredients

• 10 to 20 grams of horse chestnut seeds

• 1 cup of water

Preparation:

Place all the ingredients in a pan and boil for 15 minutes. Then strain and drink warm 2 to 3 times per day.

5. Rosemary tea

Rosemary is a medicinal plant that may act on blood vessel walls and improve blood circulation, helping to relieve hemorrhoid symptoms.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons of dried rosemary leaves

• 500 mL (2 cups) of water

Preparation:

Boil the water and add the rosemary leaves. Strain and drink 3 cups per day.