Relying on essential oils for hemorrhoids is an increasingly popular approach for people with this painful and slightly embarrassing medical condition.
This irritating condition can be caused by a number of things, ranging from genetic factors, obesity, and pregnancy to straining during bowel movements, lifting heavy objects, coughing, and sneezing. Basically, applying additional force or pressure in that area of the body can make the condition worse, and prevent the inflamed blood vessels and veins from healing properly. There are many medications and salves for this condition, but using essential oils for hemorrhoids is very popular due to their analgesic, anti-inflammatory, astringent, and relaxant properties. [1]
List of Essential Oils for Hemorrhoids
When it comes to essential oils for hemorrhoids, nothing works better than frankincense, dill, cypress, chamomile, lavender, tea tree, helichrysum, primrose, patchouli and juniper oils.
Tea Tree Oil
When you have hemorrhoids, the most important thing is to reduce inflammation and discomfort, which tea tree oil can provide. It can also prevent any infections and stimulate the healing of tears or fissures in the blood vessels in your rectum. [2]
How to Use
- Always blend tea tree oil with another carrier or essential oil, such as coconut oil or jojoba oil.
- Then, topically apply it to the area around your anus for rapid relief.
- You can also apply it directly to external hemorrhoids.
Primrose Oil
Although this oil isn’t commonly used for many natural health purposes, it can help relieve pain and reduce swelling. It also eliminates the urge to itch the hemorrhoids, which can be quite severe, and even debilitating for those who sit or stand for long periods of their day. [3]
How to Use
- You can use an undiluted version of this oil for the treatment of hemorrhoids.
- Simply put 4-5 drops on your fingertip and directly apply it to external hemorrhoids or the rim of your rectum to soothe inflammation.
Dill Oil
This is an extremely powerful oil with limited therapeutic potential, but it can quickly soothe pain and inflammation of external hemorrhoids and prevent additional bleeding during bowel movements. [4]
How to Use
- Always dilute dill oil in another carrier oil, such as coconut oil
- You can apply this oil blend to the sensitive areas of your body, such as the exposed blood vessels of your hemorrhoids.
Biological illustration of hemorrhoids Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Juniper Oil
When you are stressed or your bowels are tensed, it can increase the discomfort and pressure on the hemorrhoids, which can increase bleeding. Juniper oil can help relieve inflammation of the blood vessels, while soothing muscle tension and pressure inside your lower rectum. [5]
How to Use
- Dilute juniper berry oil in almond oil or avocado oil (a few drops of oil per tablespoon of a carrier oil)
- Gently apply the mixture 1-2 times a day on the rim of the rectum or directly on the external hemorrhoids.
Frankincense Oil
Frankincense oil is one of the most powerful anti-inflammatory essential oils. It helps to reduce the swelling of the inflamed tissues in your rectum if you are suffering from chronic hemorrhoids. [6]
How to Use
- Mix a few drops of this oil with coconut oil
- Gently warm the oil blend between your fingers.
- Massage it on the affected or inflamed areas 1-2 times per day until the hemorrhoids clear up.
Chamomile Oil
As a natural analgesic and anti-inflammatory substance, chamomile oil can cause the swollen blood vessels to retract back into the rectum. It also prevents the itchiness and pain that often occurs with this condition. This oil can also stimulate the regrowth of healthy new tissue in the rectum.
How to Use
- Adding chamomile oil to a cup of chamomile tea is one method of treating hemorrhoids.
- You can also mix chamomile oil with jojoba oil and apply it directly to your external hemorrhoids.
Lavender Oil
This famous oil is used both for its pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties. It quickly causes the swollen veins to retract into the rectum and soothe internal hemorrhoids. This allows for normal and pain-free bowel movements. [7]
How to Use
- Add 10 drops of lavender oil to a warm bath and soak in the tub for at least 30 minutes.
- This direct contact with warm water will cause a reduction in inflammation of your hemorrhoids, while the oil will help eliminate pain.
Cypress Oil
There is an astringent quality of this oil that can help shrink external hemorrhoids and relieve pain. It can also induce normal blood flow to the area to spur healing and reduce the tension in muscle tissue in the rectum. [8]
How to Use
- You can blend cypress oil with coconut oil and a few drops of lemon juice.
- Then, topically apply it to the external hemorrhoids.
- Alternatively, you can simply add 5 drops to a warm bath and soak until the pain and inflammation disappear.
Helichrysum Oil
Helichrysum oil helps in promoting tissue growth, reducing inflammation, and preventing allergic sensitivity throughout the body. This is one of the ideal essential oils for hemorrhoids, which can be exacerbated by allergic reactions, as well as topical friction. [9]
How to Use
- Blend 4-5 drops of this oil with avocado or almond oil before topically applying it to your rectum or any external hemorrhoids.
Patchouli Oil
The astringent, stimulant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial nature of this oil can help keep you safe from infections, particularly if your external hemorrhoids have ruptured or fissured. It can promote the growth of new tissue and induce the hemorrhoids to retract back into the rectum. [10]
How to Use
- You don’t need to dilute patchouli oil, but only a small amount is necessary to be effective.
- Gently warm the oil between your fingers
- Then, massage on the painful areas near the rim of your rectal cavity.
Word of Caution: While using essential oils for hemorrhoids is an effective and rapid remedy, there are some things you should take into consideration, such as the potency of the oil and their possible side effects. Due to the potency, these oils can cause skin irritation, gastrointestinal side effects, and allergic reactions. So, you should speak to a doctor before adding any of these oils to your regimen. Also, hemorrhoids aren’t typically dangerous and they clear up in a matter of days or weeks, but if you are experiencing excessive bleeding during bowel movements, it can be a sign of a serious gastrointestinal disorder and could cause anemia or low blood pressure (due to blood loss). See a doctor for a colonoscopy if you experience chronic or uncontrolled bleeding from the anus.
What Are Hemorrhoids?
Simply put, hemorrhoids are enlarged veins in the lower part of your rectum, which can swell up or become inflamed for various reasons. The other common name for enlarged or swollen hemorrhoids is piles. When these veins bulge too far, they can also burst, which can cause bleeding in the anus, particularly during bowel movements. Hemorrhoids can be internal or external. While the internal ones don’t hurt as badly, due to a lack of nerve endings, they can cause bleeding and discomfort. External hemorrhoids can appear on the lip of the anus. They tend to cause more pain, as they are exposed to friction from underwear and clothes, as well as sitting for extended periods or walking. Although hemorrhoids aren’t particularly dangerous, they can be indicative of more serious medical conditions, especially when they don’t diminish in size or pain after a few days or weeks.
