The Treatment of External Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are swollen veiny tissues. They’re located in the wall of the rectum and anus and may become inflamed, bleed (especially after a bowel movement), discharge mucous, itch and burn, develop a blood clot (thrombus), or become enlarged and protrude. Those that remain in the anus are called internal hemorrhoids, and those that protrude are called external hemorrhoids. The formulas offered here are for treating the external variety.

Hemorrhoids may result from repeated straining during bowel movements; constipation makes the straining worse. They often develop to various degrees during pregnancy due to the expanding uterus pressing on the colon and the tendency toward constipation.

The treatment of external hemorrhoids depends on the severity of the symptoms, not the extent of the hemorrhoids. In most instances, the only therapy required is improvement in anal hygiene and administration of a stool softener, psyllium, or mild laxative to prevent straining during bowel movements. Avoiding constipation is of utmost importance so that the condition doesn’t persist or return.

SITZ SALVE

For more comfort when you “sitz” down, this herbal salve offers astringent, anti-inflammatory, cooling, soothing, and antiseptic properties to help heal irritated hemorrhoidal tissue, stop bleeding, and relieve swelling and pain. The salve doesn’t require all the infused oil that this recipe makes; you can use the leftover infused oil to make Great Green Goop, which is useful for treating insect stings and bites as well as all manner of cuts, scrapes, and other skin irritations. Note: I prefer to use the stovetop method for infusing the healing properties of the herbs into the olive oil, as this process yields a very potent, effective medicinal formula.

½ cup dried or 1 cup freshly wilted yarrow flowers and leaves
¼ cup dried or ½ cup freshly wilted chickweed leaves and stems
¼ cup dried or ½ cup freshly wilted plantain leaves
¼ cup dried or ½ cup freshly wilted Oregon grape root
¼ cup powdered black walnut hulls or ½ cup fresh black walnut hulls
3 cups extra-virgin olive base oil
2,000 IU vitamin E oil
3–4 tablespoons beeswax (depending on how firm you want the salve to be)

EQUIPMENT: 2-quart saucepan or double boiler, stirring utensil, candy or yogurt thermometer, strainer, fine filter, funnel, glass or plastic storage container (for the infused oil), glass or plastic jars or tins (for the salve)
PREP TIME: 6 hours to infuse the oil, plus 20 minutes to make the salve and 30 minutes for it to thicken
YIELD: Approximately 2½ cups of infused oil and 1¼ cups of salve
STORAGE: Store at room temperature, away from heat and light; use within 1 year
APPLICATION: As desired

PREPARING THE INFUSED OIL: If you’re using freshly wilted yarrow, chickweed, or plantain, first cut or tear the herb into smaller pieces to expose more surface area to the oil. If you’re using freshly wilted Oregon grape roots or fresh black walnut hulls, coarsely or finely chop them. They’re tough — do the best you can. Combine the yarrow, chickweed, plantain, Oregon grape root, and black walnut hulls with the olive base oil in a 2-quart saucepan or double boiler, and stir thoroughly to blend. The mixture should look like a thick, leafy-woody slurry. Bring the mixture to just shy of a simmer, between 125° and 135°F. Do not let the oil actually simmer — it will degrade the quality of your infused oil. Do not put the lid on the pot. Allow the herbs to macerate in the oil over low heat for 6 hours. Check the temperature every 30 minutes or so with a thermometer and adjust the heat accordingly. If you’re using a double boiler, add more water to the bottom pot as necessary, so it doesn’t dry out. Stir the infusing mixture at least every 30 minutes or so, as the herb bits tend to settle to the bottom. Walnut hull powder will form a paste in the bottom of the pan, so you may need to stir more often. After 6 hours, remove the pan from the heat and allow to cool for 15 minutes. While the oil is still warm, carefully strain it through a fine-mesh strainer lined with a fine filter such as muslin or, preferably, a paper coffee filter, then strain again if necessary to remove all debris. Squeeze the herbs to extract as much of the precious oil as possible. Discard the marc. Add the vitamin E oil and stir to blend. The resulting infused oil blend will be dark greenish-brown with a hint of gold. Pour the finished oil into a storage container, then cap, label, and store in a dark cabinet.

PREPARING THE SALVE: Combine 1 cup of the herbal infused oil with the beeswax in a small saucepan or double boiler, and warm over low heat until the beeswax is just melted. Remove from the heat and allow to cool for 5 minutes, stirring a few times to blend. Pour into storage containers, cap, and label. Set aside for 30 minutes to thicken.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: Cleanse affected area with a cool, soapy, soft washcloth, chemical-free cleansing wipe, or your own Preparation “B”: Astringent Aloe Wipes (next page). Pat dry. Apply ½ teaspoon or so of this salve to the irritated area as desired, but especially before bedtime, in the morning, and after each bowel movement. Bonus This salve can be used to aid in healing bruises, blisters, bedsores and skin ulcers, cuts and scrapes, poison plant rashes, insect bites and stings, eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, and cracked, fissured skin. It’s also wonderfully therapeutic when massaged into postpartum surgical incisions and perineal tears.

PREPARATION “B”: ASTRINGENT ALOE WIPES

In addition to the itching and burning of irritated rectal tissue, swollen hemorrhoids will occasionally discharge blood and mucous, leaving you feeling less than fresh and quite uncomfortable. Aloe vera, witch hazel, and lavender essential oil work together to firm tissue, reduce secretions, cool the burn, and calm the itch, while effectively cleansing and deodorizing the anal area. This remedy also aids in healing all manner of other minor infections and skin irritations — blemishes, blisters, boils, contact dermatitis, sunburn, minor burns, ingrown hairs, and bug bites and stings.

½ cup commercially prepared aloe vera juice
½ cup witch hazel
1 teaspoon vegetable glycerin
75 drops lavender essential oil

EQUIPMENT: Plastic or glass bottle
PREP TIME: 5 minutes
YIELD: Approximately 1 cup
STORAGE: Use within 2 weeks if stored at room temperature; within 6 months if refrigerated
APPLICATION: Up to 5 times per day Combine the aloe vera juice, witch hazel, glycerin, and lavender essential oil in a bottle and shake vigorously to blend. Label and store in a dark cabinet.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: Shake well before each use. Soak a soft flannel cloth, chemical-free and unscented baby wipe, or square cotton cosmetic pad with the wash, and use it to wipe the affected area. Use up to five times per day, but especially before bedtime, in the morning, and after each bowel movement to leave you with a fresh, clean, more comfortable feeling. Follow with Sitz Salve (previous recipe) if desired. Bonus Use these wipes as a refreshing facial and underarm cleansing wash when you’re in a rush and soap is unavailable. Tuck a bottle in your carry-on bag while traveling — you never know when you might get stuck in the airport!

SOOTHING COMFORT HERBAL HEMORRHOID POWDER

Most hemorrhoidal medicines come in the form of an ointment, salve, or balm, but this is a unique remedy in that it is in the form of a medicated powder. All of the herbs included here have astringent, antiseptic, tissuetightening, deodorizing, and antiinflammatory properties with an overall cooling energy to help bring welcome relief while keeping you dry and sanitary. Note: It’s important to purchase these herbs pre-powdered, as they are practically impossible to powder finely enough using common kitchen equipment.

½ cup baking soda
½ cup cornstarch
½ cup white cosmetic clay
3 tablespoons powdered Oregon grape root
3 tablespoons powdered witch hazel bark
2 tablespoons powdered myrrh gum

EQUIPMENT: Medium bowl and whisk or food processor, airtight storage container(s), flour sifter (optional)
PREP TIME: 20 minutes, plus 3 days to synergize
YIELD: Approximately 2 cups
STORAGE: Store at room temperature, away from heat and light; use within 1 year

APPLICATION: As desired Combine the baking soda, cornstarch, clay, Oregon grape root, witch hazel, and myrrh in a medium bowl or food processor. Slowly whisk together, or pulse in the food processor for 15 seconds, until well blended. Avoid breathing the dust, though there is no real danger of irritation as there is with cayenne powder. Store the powder in an airtight storage container in a cool, dark place for 3 days to allow the medicinal properties of the herbal ingredients to synergize and permeate the mixture. If the mixture is too granular for your liking, sift it through a flour sifter to remove the larger particles. Then package the powder in smaller containers, if desired.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: Apply with a large cotton ball or cosmetic cotton square to the affected area. Bonus This powder makes an effective astringent underarm or foot deodorant, especially for people who tend to sweat a lot.