Ayurvedic Treatment for Piles

Piles, also known as haemorrhoids, are inflamed and swollen veins in the anus and rectum that can cause bleeding, pain and discomfort. They are caused by straining that is during bowel movements, pregnancy, or even obesity. This is a condition that can be self-diagnosed and, depending on the severity, can go away on its own or will need medical help. This can be chronic or last for years, and lifestyle and dietary changes can majorly help with it.

There are a few ways to go about treating haemorrhoids, and the two main ways are allopathic medicine or ayurvedic medicine. In this article, we will look at what piles is, ayurvedic treatment for piles, along with medicines that are used for this.

What is Ayurveda?

Before talking about ayurvedic treatment for piles, it is essential to establish what Ayurveda is. In simple terms, it is a traditional Hindu medicinal practice practiced worldwide even though it began in India. 

In the West, Ayurveda is recognized as a complementary or alternative method of therapy. Ayurveda is holistic and addresses the conditions of the spirit, body, and mind. The aim is to bring the body back into balance and, in this manner, alleviate the symptoms of the illness the person is experiencing.

The central tenet here is the idea that there are three body types or three doshas that relate to a particular element:

• Pitta (fire)
• Vata (air)
• Kapha (water)

A person that has one particular dominant dosha will display the emotional and physical characteristics that are largely consistent with that particular element.

The main goal is to balance each of them, which can be done with a combination of herbal remedies, lifestyle modifications, and diet.

Piles vs Fissures

Piles and fissures are two different conditions and often paired together when discussing treatment as they are quite similar. But they are not the same condition so let’s look at the differences.

Piles

Piles are also known as haemorrhoids, and they are inflamed and swollen veins in the anus and rectum that cause bleeding, pain, and discomfort. They are caused by straining that is during bowel movements, pregnancy, or even obesity.

This is a condition that can be self-diagnosed and, depending on the severity, can go away on its own or will need medical help. This can be chronic or last for years; lifestyle and dietary changes can majorly help with it.

Anal Fissures

These fissures can be explained as a small tear in the anal lining and can occur when passing a large or hard stool. It can cause bleeding and pain during bowel movements just as it would with piles. Here too, dietary fibre along with stool softeners can help. Creams applied to the area can also support healing.

Ayurvedic Treatment for Piles

The ayurvedic approach to treating piles is holistic. Those that want to try the ayurvedic treatment for piles will have to expect lifestyle changes, herbal remedies and maybe even minimally invasive procedures as a part of the treatment.

The practitioner involved will first evaluate the overall health to determine the dominant dosha before the treatment suggestions can be made. However, it is recommended that you go to a doctor for the diagnosis and treatment.

The best ayurvedic treatment for piles can be determined only by your practitioner, depending on the dosha as well as the severity of your condition. So, it is good to trust your practitioner to administer the best ayurvedic treatment for piles for you.

If you do want to take the ayurvedic approach to this, you have the following options:

Bhaishajya Chikitsa or Medications

Minor piles can generally be treated with medication, and other procedures are not necessary unless the condition is severe. In severe cases, procedures are needed in addition to the medication being given.

The dosha factors into medicinal remedies chosen by the practitioner and any lifestyle or dietary changes suggested to avoid piles from recurring. It is best to follow the guidance of the practitioner as some medication may not really be suitable with your dosha.

Kshara or Herbal Application

This alkaline and caustic paste is used for treating haemorrhoids or piles. It has a cauterising action and is made from a herbal blend. The kshara gets applied to the haemorrhoid with a slit proctoscope that is a specialised device. This blend, as mentioned, will chemically cauterise the haemorrhoid that may have been bleeding and open.

This is generally considered the best method to treat piles when it comes to ayurvedic medicine. Specific medications will be recommended to help balance the body while you recover, depending on the dosha. Here too, lifestyle or dietary changes may need to be made.

Keep in mind that you should test the cream on your arm and only then go ahead with this treatment if there are no reactions in about 24 hours. This is to avoid any possible allergic reactions to this medication.

Sastra Chikitsa or Surgical Intervention

Another therapy that may be recommended is the kshara sutra. This is when a special medicated thread is used to tie the haemorrhoid at the base.

What this does is that it will cut the blood supply to the vein, thereby allowing the haemorrhoid to shrink over the next week to the next ten days causing it to shrivel up and detach. This is a more invasive approach and is therefore recommended only if the other treatments are proving to be ineffective.

Here too, your dosha is taken into consideration for treatment. Some specific herbs may be required to support the healing that comes post this procedure. You may also need to make certain changes in your exercise, diet, and other factors permanently to avoid the recurrence of future haemorrhoids.

This procedure is minimally invasive, but this is not to say that it is without risk. Surgical intervention can be dangerous for people that are on medication for blood-thinning or heart conditions, have a bleeding disorder, or are susceptible to infection. This is why consulting a healthcare practitioner who is licensed is important when it comes to advice for such treatments.

Agnikarma or Cauterisation

External haemorrhoids can even be cauterised with the usage of infrared heat, and this is a procedure that will cause some pain. The ayurvedic practitioner may recommend this procedure of burning the haemorrhoids off.

To have a difference made from this sort of therapy, there is a requirement of five to six treatments happening over the same amount of weeks. The dosha will definitely be taken into consideration for this treatment.

The risk for infection and even increased pain is possible with this approach in the ayurvedic treatment for piles. It is best to talk to a doctor about how these risks can be minimised and also to be certain that this is the therapy that will work for you. They may recommend western approaches that are safer for treatment.

Ayurvedic Medicine Ingredients for Piles

Before we go into brand names and suggestions, let’s take a look at ayurvedic medicine for piles. These are some of the common ingredients that are used for such treatments.

Touch-Me-Not Plant

Touch-me-not (Mimosa Pudica) is also known as lajjalu. It is a well-known herb that is used in the ayurvedic treatment for piles. The plant has an alkaloid mimosin, which will help reduce inflammation and alleviate the pain. The antioxidant properties and the phenolic content help in the acceleration of the healing of the wound.

In ancient times, ayurvedic practitioners would prescribe a decoction made from this plant to treat haemorrhoids. The treatment included the external application of the leaf paste.

Elephant Foot Yam

This is another treatment that is popular for fistula and piles. This yam is also known as Amorphophallus Campanulatus or Amorphophallus Dubis. It helps when treating any Vata problem and is an excellent source of fibre. The yam has fibre and carbohydrates and therefore improves metabolism, prevents constipation, and helps regulate bowel movements.                                                                         

Triphala

Triphala, as the very name suggests, is a combination of three fruits and is another popular ayurvedic medicine for haemorrhoids. The best ayurvedic medicine for piles and fissure will have Triphala in it. The fruits that make this up are amla, bibhitaki, and haritaki.

Triphala has specialised phytoconstituents like vitamin C, ellagic acid, gallic acid, and tannin. These act as antioxidants, thereby preventing recurrences and helps in bowel cleansing. 

Haritaki

This is a fruit also called the Terminalia Chebula, and the word itself can loosely translate into something that removes the disease, making the body shine. This fruit is used to balance the three doshas, and in ayurveda, it is used to support healing, detoxify, and also to improve digestion.

This is a fruit commonly used for piles as it relieves the pressure on the areas that are affected and eases bowel movement while also supporting healing and being an anti-inflammatory agent.

Bibhitaki

This is a fruit also called the Terminalia Belerica. This word can be loosely translated into being without the fear of disease and is a detoxifier that can purify lymph tissues, blood, fat, and muscles.

It is something that balances the pitta and the kapha doshas. This fruit is used as medicine as it has hepatoprotective, mild laxative, antipyretic, antihypertensive, antidiarrheal, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial properties.

Amalaki

The Indian gooseberry is also called amla or Emblica Officinalis. This is an ingredient that is common in traditional medicine and also food. In ayurveda, it is used to balance all the three doshas and also because of its rejuvenating, laxative, astringent, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant properties.

Guggul Resin

This the best known anti-inflammatory herb that you can find is also known as Balsamodendron Mukul. It is used in ayurvedic treatment for pilesand fistula-anorectal. It is an astringent agent and is a laxative that helps in the easy metabolism of the bioactive etiologic component that is in the hemorrhoids.

This is a resin that is a rich source of steroids that can be used in relieving itching and pain. It is also something that balances the kapha dosha and is one of the most potent wound healers when it comes to ayurvedic medicine. This resin also helps reduce cholesterol levels by increasing the body’s fat metabolism while aiding the detoxification process.

Turmeric

This is a spice that is an Indian home remedy, and it has become world-famous in its uses for health, religious, and cosmetic purposes. It has anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties that arrest haemorrhoidal bleeding and prevent secondary microbial infections.

It also helps in the reduction of itching. According to ayurveda, this spice has an astringent and an alkaline effect that helps in shrinking haemorrhoids. It is also something that balances the three doshas and enhances the digestive fire.

Ayurvedic Medicine for Piles

Since we have discussed ayurvedic treatment for piles, let’s talk about medicines that have the common ingredients we mentioned in the previous section. It is essential to consult a healthcare expert before trying these medicines, as you are supposed to do with any medication. This avoids the risks of any side effects, allergies, and you can also consult about any alternative solutions that can help.

One of the most common medicines is the Patanjali medicine for piles. We will now look at some of the other best ayurvedic ointment for piles, along with other capsules and tablets that there are.

Here are some of the best ayurvedic medicine for piles and fissures:

• Cureveda Piles Pack (₹1,112)
• Patanjali Divya Arshkalp Vati 40 gm (₹65)
• Kapiva Himalayan Shilajit Resin (₹1,199)
• Kerala Ayurveda Pilogest Capsule (₹472)
• Piles Relief Kit from Baidyanath (₹545)

Here are some of the best ayurvedic ointment for piles:

• Oxerute Cream 50G (₹279)
• Ayurvedic Piles- Vrinda (₹240)
• Sanjeevani Jeeva Cream (₹317)
• Topi Aesculus Cream (₹57.40)
• Schwabeindia (₹250)

Foods that Help with Piles

Dietary changes play a significant role in helping with piles and ensuring that it does not recur. A strict diet and a healthier lifestyle can make a major difference, especially in the case that the condition is not very severe, as it can practically eliminate any chances of recurrence.

Foods that help with piles are generally those that are rich in fiber. There are two kidneys of fibers that you can get from food, soluble and insoluble. The former forms a gel in the digestive tract and can be digested easily by friendly bacteria that can be found there. The latter helps with stool.

Food that has little fiber should be avoided for piles, such as dairy products, processed foods, white bread, etc. Here are some foods you can add to your diet to help with easing the symptoms of piles.

• Lentils and legumes can bulk up stool and help in easy bowel movements.
• Wholegrains are also like lentils in terms of how they are nutritional powerhouses. Wholegrains are insoluble fibers, which can help reduce piles’ symptoms.
• Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli can help diversify the gut microbiome. This is important as it is linked to having a gastrointestinal system that is more resilient. The fiber content also helps.
• Root vegetables like potatoes, carrots, rutabagas, beets, turnips, and sweet potatoes are rich in gut-healthy fiber, and are nutritious and filling.

Other foods you can include are bell peppers, artichokes, celery, melons, cucumbers, apples, pears, bananas, raspberries, and also stewed prunes.

Conclusion

While allopathic medicine is common in treating piles or hemorrhoids, ayurvedic treatment for piles is another popular route people choose. The treatment here is decided based on the doshas and the severity of the condition by the ayurvedic practitioner. However, it is recommended that you consult a doctor before trying certain treatments to see if they are appropriate for you due to the risk of infections.

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