Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in or around the anus and lower rectum. They can cause pain, bleeding, itching, and burning.
They can be treated with home care, medicine, and dietary changes. Some people may need procedures or surgery. Others turn to natural therapies to help ease pain and promote healing.
Natural Therapies
Likely Effective
Fiber supplements are likely to ease overall symptoms and bleeding. A12
May Be Effective
These herbs and supplements may ease pain and promote healing:
- Flavonoids are compounds found in citrus fruits. A2-A4, A9, A11
- Maritime pine (Pycnogenol) is a tree with bark that can be applied as a cream or salve. A1
- Phlebotonics are plant extracts and synthetic compounds. A6
May Not Be Effective
Traditional Chinese herbal medicine is the use of herbs to ease health problems. They may not ease symptoms. A10
Not Enough Data to Assess
Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.
Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.
Herbs and Supplements to Be Used With Caution
Talk to your doctor about any supplements or therapy you would like to use. Some can interfere with treatment or make conditions worse.
References
Herbs and Supplements
REFA1 Belcaro G, Cesarone MR, et al. Pycnogenol treatment of acute hemorrhoidal episodes. Phytother Res. 2010;24(3):438-444.
REFA2 Giannini I, Amato A, et al. Flavonoids mixture (diosmin, troxerutin, hesperidin) in the treatment of acute hemorrhoidal disease: a prospective, randomized, triple-blind, controlled trial. Tech Coloproctol. 2015;19(6):339-345.
REFA3 Corsale I, Carrieri P, et al. Flavonoid mixture (diosmin, troxerutin, rutin, hesperidin, quercetin) in the treatment of I-III degree hemorroidal disease: a double-blind multicenter prospective comparative study. Int J Colorectal Dis. 2018 Nov;33(11):1595-1600.
REFA4 Aziz Z, Huin WK, et al. Efficacy and tolerability of micronized purified flavonoid fractions (MPFF) for haemorrhoids: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Complement Ther Med. 2018 Aug;39:49-55.
REFA5 Mosavat SH, Ghahramani L, et al. Topical Allium ampeloprasum subsp Iranicum (Leek) extract cream in patients with symptomatic hemorrhoids: a pilot randomized and controlled clinical trial. J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2015 Apr;20(2):132-136.
REFA6 Perera N, Liolitsa D, et al. Phlebotonics for haemorrhoids. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012 Aug 15;(8):CD004322.
REFA7 Joksimovic N, Spasovski G, et al. Efficacy and tolerability of hyaluronic acid, tea tree oil and methyl-sulfonyl-methane in a new gel medical device for treatment of haemorrhoids in a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Updates Surg. 2012 Sep;64(3):195-201.
REFA8 Man KM, Chen WC, et al. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of a Chinese herbal Sophora flower formula in patients with symptomatic haemorrhoids: a preliminary study. Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. 2012 Dec 31;10(2):343-351.
REFA9 Panpimanmas S, Sithipongsri S, et al. Experimental comparative study of the efficacy and side effects of Cissus quadrangularis L. (Vitaceae) to Daflon (Servier) and placebo in the treatment of acute hemorrhoids. J Med Assoc Thai. 2010 Dec;93(12):1360-1367.
REFA10 Gan T, Liu YD, et al. Traditional Chinese Medicine herbs for stopping bleeding from haemorrhoids. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010 Oct 6;(10):CD006791.
REFA11 Alonso-Coello P, Zhou Q, et al. Meta-analysis of flavonoids for the treatment of haemorrhoids. Br J Surg. 2006 Aug;93(8):909-920.
REFA12 Alonso-Coello P, Guyatt G, et al. Laxatives for the treatment of hemorrhoids. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2005 Oct 19;(4):CD004649.