Pile is a medical condition characterized by painful, enlarged and swollen blood vessels around or inside the anus; it is also known as hemorrhoid, in some people, it does not give symptoms while others experience painful and uncomfortable symptoms.

This condition can also be said to be a collection of inflamed tissues and blood vessels around the anus and surroundings; their sizes can vary and there are effective natural remedies that can be used to treat mild to moderate piles.

SEE ALSO: Natural and Herbal Remedies for Indigestion

Causes of piles

The cause or causes of hemorrhoid or piles are unknown but there are some factors that can increase the risk of having piles or worsen the symptoms and some of them are:

• Chronic constipation
• Increased pressure in the blood vessels around the anus and its environs, this makes the blood vessels inflamed and swollen.
• A lack of fiber in the diet mainly due to increased intake of processed foods and refined carbohydrates
• Chronic diarrhea
• Obesity and age
• Sitting down for long period of time
• Pregnancy
• Repeated vomiting or persistent coughing
• Lifting heavy objects regularly
• Genetics and family history

SEE ALSO: Herbal Remedies to Relieve a Bloated Stomach

Symptoms of Piles

Those who have symptoms when having piles generally experience these:

• Presence of blood in stools; usually a bright red color
• Swelling, soreness, and redness around the anus
• Itchy and inflamed anus
• A discharge of mucus after passing stools
• A lump hanging outside the anus, this can be pushed backed after stooling.
• A hard and painful lump around the anus that may contain clotted blood.
• Pains when passing stools
• Still feeling full after passing stools
• Infection
• Excessive anal bleeding
• Strangulated hemorrhoid
• Inability to control the movement of bowels
• Anal fistula

Types of piles

Piles are of four main types or grades and they are:

• Grade one, which is characterized by small inflammation inside the lining of the anus and they are not visible.
• Grade two piles can be seen and they are larger than grade one piles; they occur inside the anus but can be pushed out during a bowel movement, but they return without any aid.
• Grade three piles are called prolapsed hemorrhoids, they occur outside the anus but they are re-inserted easily.
• Grade four piles require surgery and immediate treatment because they are large. They occur outside the anus.

SEE ALSO: 10 Natural and Herbal Remedies for Stomach Ulcers

Effective Home Remedies for Piles

1. Tea Bags

Both green and black teas are rich in tannins or tannic acid; these compounds serve as natural astringents which help in reducing the pain, swellings, and inflammation in the anus.

Soak a tea bag in a cup of hot water for few minutes; remove it and leave it to cool slightly, place it for ten minutes on the inflamed anus. Do this three times daily. You can also use cold tea bags that have been used.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar

There are natural compounds that act as astringents in ACV; this helps to treat swollen blood vessels and shrink them, it also relieves swellings and inflammation, it gets rid of irritation in hemorrhoids, whether internal or external.

Pure and unfiltered ACV gives the best results. For the treatment of internal hemorrhoid; add a teaspoon of ACV to a glass of warm water and drink it. Do this twice daily.

For external hemorrhoid; soak a cotton ball in ACV and put it on hemorrhoids, it will sting you but you have to endure it, this will relieve the itching and irritation.

3. Witch Hazel

This herb has a mild astringent property; it heals wounds and eases the symptoms and discomfort of hemorrhoids. It shrinks inflamed blood vessels and relieves pains, redness, swellings, and itching.

Soak a cotton ball in witch hazel (undiluted) and place it on hemorrhoids. Do these three times every day.

SEE ALSO: Top Ten Natural and Herbal Remedies for Constipation

4. Aloe Vera

This is one of the best natural treatments for piles; it has powerful anti-inflammatory properties and it hastens healing. Apply fresh aloe vera gel directly on the affected area and massage it gently and slowly. This will relieve symptoms; do this twice daily.

To relieve pains, inflammations, redness and the sensations of burnings and itching; cut aloe vera leaves in strips, make sure you cut the thorn parts away. Put these slices of aloe vera leaves in a container and place them in the refrigerator.

Put these cold strips against the hemorrhoids; these will relieve all symptoms.

5. Olive Oil

This oil is rich in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties; it is used to treat external piles, it boosts the elasticity of the blood vessels, it shrinks the size of swollen blood vessels and fights inflammation.

Consume two tablespoons of olive oil daily; this will boost the functions of the excretory system and reduce inflammation, you can also apply pure olive oil or olive leaf paste directly to the hemorrhoids.

6. Psyllium Husk

This is a great natural source of fiber that helps prevent constipation which in turn prevents straining and unnecessary pressure on the anus and the blood vessels around the anus. It also reduces the frequency of bleeding.

Make sure you take this supplement with plenty water.

7. Lemon Juice

Lemon juice strengthens the blood vessels and prevents them from becoming weak and inflamed, thus preventing piles; soak a cotton ball in lemon juice and apply it on the inflamed area.

Drink lemon juice or lemon water daily to treat internal pile; you can also take ginger and lemon tea to hasten healing and boosts recovery.

SEE ALSO: Top Ten Health Benefits of Lemons and Medical Use

8. Pomegranate Seeds

Peel pomegranate seeds and soak the peels in water for some minutes; boil this mixture after sometimes and let it cool. Strain it and drink, do this every morning and night to relieve the symptoms and hasten healing.

9. Sesame Seeds

Boil a good quantity of sesame seeds, crush them to get a thick paste, add very little butter and take this daily to ease the pains of hemorrhoids and hasten healing.

10. Almond Oil

This is an excellent emollient; it can penetrate deep into the tissues and it is used to treat external hemorrhoids. Soak a cotton ball in pure and unfiltered almond oil; use to gently rub the affected part. This will treat dryness and reduce inflammation. Do these as many times as you can daily.