Coconut oil has been part of skin care regimens for centuries and still remains one of the popular options for many. It is interesting to find that the oil can also help combat hemorrhoids.
Hemorrhoids are technically swollen veins found at the end of your rectum or anus. The veins bulge through thinned walls and get irritated when you pass stool. There are internal and external hemorrhoids and each comes with varying degrees of discomfort and pain.
Questions like whether hemorrhoids are dangerous can only be answered after looking at the cause and effects of the condition because you do not want to downplay what may turn out to be a serious problem.
Read on to understand hemorrhoids and what role coconut oil plays in controlling them.
There are two types of hemorrhoids.
Contents
- Causes and symptoms of hemorrhoids
- How to use coconut oil for hemorrhoids?
- Coconut oil compared
- Best recipes for hemorrhoids treatment with coconut oil
- Side effects and risks of using coconut oil for hemorrhoids treatment
- Other ways to treat hemorrhoids naturally
- What lifestyle changes should you make to help treat hemorrhoids?
- The takeaway
Internal hemorrhoids
True to their description these hemorrhoids are further up the rectum that they are not visible or tangible. These tend to be painless although they can bleed so you see blood in your stool.
External hemorrhoids
These hemorrhoids are painful and visible sometimes even spilling out of the anal sphincter. They are extremely painful because their location, around the lower end of the rectum and anus, has plenty of nerve endings.
Hemorrhoids manifest as small pink moist bumps that are usually inflamed.
Unfortunately, while they may start out small they can become bigger without the right treatment. This can lead to a blood clot in hemorrhoid turning the bumps blue/purple.
The good news is that while they can prolapse on their own they can also collapse on their own or be pushed back into the anus.
Causes and symptoms of hemorrhoids
Causes
They are hereditary
If anyone in your family has suffered from them you may be genetically predisposed to having them.
Pregnancy
With pregnancy comes high pressure that can build up in your rectum area affecting blood flow. This can cause the veins in the region to bulge and get irritated by a bowel movement. Obesity also has the same effect on your lower rectum.
Vigorous bowel action
Natural bowel movement requires very little pushing to get you going. If you push too hard you can irritate the walls causing you to have hemorrhoids.
Look out for constipation and diarrhea which both exacerbate the symptoms of hemorrhoids if you already have them.
Standing for long
Long periods of standing can cause pressure to build up in your lower half of the body including the rectal area. This can result in hemorrhoids.
Symptoms
- Pain when having a bowel movement
- Bleeding from the rectum
- Moist inflamed bumps around the anus either pink, blue, or purple
- Pain and itching around the anal area
How to use coconut oil for hemorrhoids?
The first course of action when treating hemorrhoids is controlling the inflammation and swelling, and that is where coconut oil comes in.
Because it has anti-inflammatory properties, it reduces the inflammation significantly lessening the discomfort. Its pain relieving properties also calm the place down making the condition manageable.
Ingestion
Isn’t it great that you can cook with coconut oil and enjoy delicious meals even as you treat your hemorrhoids?
If you are having constipation that is causing your hemorrhoids to flare up, ingesting coconut oil can help because it is a natural laxative.
The easier your stool passes through the rectum and anus, the less pain and irritation you experience.
Topical application
Coconut oil can oscillate between solid and liquid state.
To apply it you just need to let melt at room temperature and the use it.
Apply a generous amount in the affected region after your shower and let your skin absorb it.
Suppositories
Because coconut oil easily solidifies, you can make ice cubes from it to apply to your hemorrhoids whenever you experience a flare-up.
Just place the ice cubes on the affected area to cool down the inflammation, even as the coconut oil melts and is absorbed.
Make an ice pack and do not place the cube directly on the affected area to avoid ice burn.
In a bath
Sounds exotic, doesn’t it?
But it is most importantly a great way to facilitate absorption of the coconut oil properties into the hemorrhoids. The warm bath softens and opens up the skin for maximum absorption.
It is advisable to only use coconut oil with perhaps turmeric, instead of blending it with essential oils when the area is raw.
Coconut oil compared
Coconut oil vs. olive oil for hemorrhoids
The main difference between olive oil and coconut oil is the number of monounsaturated fats in each. Not only does olive oil have more and better monounsaturated fats compared to polyunsaturated ones, it has omega 3 and 6 as well.
When it comes to how each performs on hemorrhoids, coconut oil is better at aiding digestion which combats the irritation of hemorrhoids during bowel movement from within.
As a result, the chances of a hemorrhoid flare-up are substantially reduced.
Olive oil, on the other hand, is able to offer excellent inflammation treatment but this applies once you are experiencing a flare-up.
Coconut oil comes out on top of olive oil in treating hemorrhoids, because it is proactive to the latter’s reactive ability.
Coconut oil vs. tea tree oil for hemorrhoids
Tea tree oil is a marvelous medicinal oil packed with potent healing properties. You name it, tea tree has it: anti-inflammation, anti-bacterial and analgesic properties among many others.
While controlling hemorrhoids requires a soothing touch like that of coconut oil, tea tree oil can help reduce the swelling and itching that accompanies hemorrhoids.
However, keep in mind that tea tree oil is a hot oil that on its own could exacerbate the hemorrhoids more than alleviate the discomfort that comes with them.
In addition, it cannot be ingested. These are some of the reasons why it is not a standalone treatment. You can decide to add it to coconut oil, but use in it in a very measured dosage.
Best recipes for hemorrhoids treatment with coconut oil
Recipe 1
Ingredients
- 6 drops of geranium oil
- 3 drops of lavender oil
- 3 drops of sweet orange oil
- A quarter cup of coconut oil
Application
Place the above oils in warm bath water and soak in it until the water becomes tepid. Allow it to soak into the affected area.
Recipe 2
Ingredients
- 20 drops of tea tree oil
- 10 drops of lemon oil
- 5 drops of jasmine oil
- One cup of coconut oil
Application
Mix the oils into the coconut oil and apply topically twice a day. Apply generously around the anal area.
Recipe 3
Ingredients
- 10 drops of juniper berry oil
- A quarter cup of melted coconut oil
- 5 drops of chamomile oil
Application
Mix all the oils together and dab a small amount using a cotton ball on the affected area.
Side effects and risks of using coconut oil for hemorrhoids treatment
Your overall health can be compromised by the amount of bad fat in coconut oil, especially if you are ingesting it. You also have to be careful about your skin, so that you do not end up with clogged pores.
If you are not used to coconut oil, it can cause indigestion and even cramping.
This is the last thing you need when in the throes of a hemorrhoid flare-up. Start with a small quantity of coconut oil, perhaps as little as a teaspoon.
Another side effect is diarrhea which can be extremely painful. Coconut oil can induce the runs that will aggravate your hemorrhoid flare up.
Unfortunately, the discomfort and pain will not dissipate until diarrhea runs its course.
Other ways to treat hemorrhoids naturally
Garlic
Garlic can help control high blood pressure and yes, hemorrhoids too!
And considering you can ingest it without worrying about health impact is a huge plus. You can either chew raw garlic or topically apply it to the rim of your anus.
Steep two cloves of garlic in 1.5 cups of hot water for half an hour, drop a towel into the water, squeeze out the excess water and apply the hot compress to the affected area leaving it on for a few minutes at a time.
Garlic is an excellent anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial agent. It will definitely reduce the discomfort and swelling in the area. Some people advise that you should partially place a clove inside your anal opening but for safety reasons we don’t recommend it.
Cayenne pepper
Pepper and hemorrhoids are not words you would associate with each other until you use cayenne pepper on your hemorrhoids.
It works on your circulation system promoting better blood flow and also healing broken blood vessels. A glass of cayenne pepper water a day is enough to bring relief, reduced swelling, and less inflammation and irritability to the area.
Baking soda
Instead of using essential oils in your bath when you have a hemorrhoid flare up, you can use baking soda.
Baking soda will reduce the itching that comes with swollen hemorrhoids. With reduced itching, the inflammation abates significantly and you can be a bit comfortable.
Add a quarter of a cup to your warm bath water and enjoy a half hour soak.
Aloe Vera
Because of the gel-like nature of Aloe Vera, application is easy. Just dab a generous amount in the affected rim of your anus and gently pat it into place.
You will get instant relief from the irritation and itching, since Aloe Vera is a natural anti-inflammatory agent.
Aloe Vera juice is also great for treating internal hemorrhoids and healing broken blood vessels.
Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is used in skin care to tighten the skin and it will do the same for the affected blood vessels.
Drink a glass of apple cider vinegar daily to aid with shrinking the affected veins in the lower rectum.
Black tea bags
This is another remedy that requires direct application to the affected area.
Steep the tea bags in hot water and let it cool before application. Black tea has tannin that is an incredible astringent, which will shrink the swollen blood vessels and lessen irritation.
Keep it in place for at least fifteen minutes to let the tannin seep into the blood vessels.
What lifestyle changes should you make to help treat hemorrhoids?
Diet change
Eat more legumes, fruits, vegetables, and fiber to help with easy to pass stool. This will cause less irritation to already existing hemorrhoids.
Drink more
Water, drink more water. This is also to help with stool softening to lessen chances of irritation.
Stay away from laxatives
The more you diarrhea the more irritated your lower rectum and anus become. This can cause a hemorrhoid flare-up. Even when you feel backed up, drink more water and eat fiber instead.
Careful with exercise
Interestingly, exercise is a great way to keep hemorrhoids in check, but if you overdo it, you can end up causing a flare-up. Heavy lifting that requires you to push down can flare up an irritation. So keep the balance with moderate weights and healthy positions.
Always go when you need to
This is a two prong situation. Never fight the urge to go and once you do try not to strain during the process.
Understandably, you cannot go whenever you want to, because of circumstances, but always strive to go when you need to.
The takeaway
Coconut oil for hemorrhoids is a great effective remedy which is available and safe for most people.
Finally, are hemorrhoids dangerous?
Not if you take care to control them and prevent the flare-up. If you are bleeding profusely, see a doctor to rule out a more serious situation.
Overall, invest in some coconut oil if you have hemorrhoids and you will be the better for it even if only for topical application.
Have you used essential oils to treat hemorrhoids? Are there oils you think should be on here?
Share with us your experience or leave a comment below.
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