SEP 10, 2019

What is the Ayurvedic Treatment or Medicine for Piles?

The world has transformed into a fast-paced one where individuals are chasing their goals and dreams with such ferocity that they forget to do the simple things right. The growing competition at workplaces and the need for constant professional improvement are what shapes our lives, leaving us unable to even have a distraction-free or wholesome meal and even causing a lack of sleep or rest. We find ourselves chained to our desks for hours on end in an endless pursuit of excellence while forgetting to take even a second to pay attention to our general wellbeing be it in the form of exercise or diet.

It is this rat race, which has really become the norm across the globe, that is leaving the human race vulnerable to damage, a reduced immunity, and a higher prevalence of diseases that earlier had an onset much later in life. Age groups between the 30s and late 40s are most vulnerable to these ailments and individuals are left struggling and finding it hard to look after themselves.

Hemorrhoids or Piles is one such deficiency that has slowly started to impact people in the aforementioned age group when it was earlier affecting people in their 60s and 70s. And in the end, it may leave one looking for an appropriate Ayurvedic medicine for piles.

Understanding Piles

Due to the way people have begun restructuring their lifestyles, eating habits take a huge hit. When time is short, we forsake quality for convenience. Skipped breakfast, hurried lunch, innumerable cups of coffee, and whatever snacks are easily available strain the digestion. There are exceptions, but the quickest and most convenient option is not always the best. Stress is hard on the digestion as well. When one pays such little attention to food and eating schedules, digestive issues are sure to follow. The digestion is unable to cope with this daily neglect and, unless uncorrected, this could lead to chronic diarrhea, the heavy strain on the rectum while passing stools due to frequent constipation finally ending in fissures and Haemorrhoids.

Further, it is first vital to understand Ayurveda’s perspective on what Piles is, and what the most effective Ayurvedic treatment for Piles is. Piles is a disorder caused due to varicosity in the numerous veins that surround the anus in the human body. In many cases, it will begin with pain around the anus and individuals will find it difficult to pass their bowel. These are the first signs that needed to be paid heed to. If it is not treated right, it leads to a prolapse of the anus and bleeding. This uncomfortable disorder is caused by a variety of symptoms like; poor diet, constipation, diarrhea, sedentary lifestyle, stress, and bad posture.
 

The Three Doshas And Digestive Issues

Ayurveda defines three Doshas - Vata Pitta and Kapha that govern all the aspects of our body. Each person has their own unique Dosha constitution that should be kept in optimum balance to remain in good health.  Piles can be caused by an imbalance in any of the three Doshas. Most commonly, the deficiency is found in Vata and Pitta types. Ayurvedic medicine for Piles or Ayurvedic treatment for Piles is to ensure the Agni in the body is improved and is working efficiently by following the right diet. The Dosha balance plays an important part in digestion. Ayurveda also defines digestion as the central function of good health. Good digestion leads to efficient metabolism and overall good health. Digestion relies on the digestive fire Agni and the three Doshas in optimal balance. When the Doshas are out of balance, the digestion also gets impacted.

The Vata Dosha governs movement in the body. So a well balanced Vata Dosha keeps the bowel contents moving correctly. Since it is a drying Dosha, its aggravation can cause the bowel contents to get dried and unable to move properly causing constipation. Vata Dosha causes constipation that is rough and dry with painful black coloured haemorrhoids. The Pitta Dosha is heaty in nature and when excessive causes diarrhoea, excessive thirst, and inflammed haemorrhoids that bleed. The Kapha Dosha, on the other hand, is cold and heavy causing large light coloured haemorrhoids.

Agni and Digestion

The efficiency of digestion depends on the digestive fire Agni and its strength. The strength of Agni varies in accordance with the Sun in the sky. When the Sun is at its highest around noon, the Agni is at its strongest. This is Why one must eat the heaviest or biggest meal at midday and not at night as most working people do. The morning and evening meals should be lighter to compensate for the weaker Agni. Eating at night is not advisable. 

Ayurveda suggests a few astringent herbs that are proven remedies for this issue. Haritaki, alum, pomegranate, and mullein are a few supplements that help tighten the tissues and start the healing process. 

The journey to recovery

The Ayurvedic view of health is holistic. Any health issue is not treated symptomatically or in isolation. Ayurveda strives to rebalance the disease-causing imbalances and benefit overall health. 

While Ayurvedic medicines for piles do exist, correction of metabolic errors and lifestyle modification is the key to curing piles. Eating healthy, fresh, and wholesome food as per a fixed meal schedule will ease the stress on the digestive system. When the Dosha aggravation has been identified, habits and foods that aggravate the Dosha should be avoided. Charting out a healthy diet plan and weeding out harmful activities from your daily routine can gradually help people with piles and fistula recover naturally. Water and fiber intake should be at healthy levels. One should also avoid eating at night and strive to eat the main meal in the afternoon. 

Ayurveda has identified numerous herbs and natural ingredients that have proven to work as a remedy for piles. At Kerala Ayurveda, we have used these key ingredients to create Pilogest - an Ayurvedic proprietary oral supplement is to treat the root cause that leads to piles, anal bleeding, and haemorrhoids. 

The unique combination of elephant foot yam and touch-me-not plant with extracts of Turmeric, Chitrak, Guggulu, and Triphala, makes this one of the best ayurvedic medicine for piles and fissure.

Pilogest regulates your metabolism with a mild laxative action and helps facilitate easy bowel movement. Regular intake of Pilogest reduces pain, promotes shrinkage of pile mass, and speeds up healing.

Key Ingredients

Touch-me-not plant is a well known ayurvedic herb to treat bleeding piles. It is known as Lajjalu (Mimosa Pudica). It contains alkaloid mimosin, which alleviates pain and reduces inflammation. The phenolic content and antioxidant action of this plant accelerates wound healing. In Ancient period, Ayurvedic physicians prescribed a decoction made using touch-me-not plant to treat piles. External application of leaf paste was used traditionally to cure pile mass.

Elephant foot yam has been popularly used for treating piles and fistula. This yam is also known as Amorphophallus Dubis or Amorphophallus campanulatus. It helps in the Ayurvedic treatment of Vata problems. An excellent source of fiber, it regulates bowel movement and prevents constipation and improves metabolism due to the presence carbohydrates and fiber.

Triphala present in Pilogest Capsule contains specialized phyto-constituents like tannin, gallic, ellagic acid and vitamin C, which act not only helps evacuate the bowel but also acts as an excellent anti-oxidant, preventing future occurrence of piles and fistula.

‘Tri’ means three and ‘phala’ is fruit. Triphala is a combination of three fruits that is one of the most well-known and popular Ayurvedic medicine for piles. The ancient Ayurvedic text Sharangdhara Samhita prescribes the use of Triphala for the treatment of is a formulation that is advised for piles in the treatment of piles, fissures, and hemorrhoids. The three fruits that compose Triphala are Haritaki, Bibhitaki, and Amla.

Haritaki

The fruit Haritaki is also called Terminalia chebula. The word ‘Haritaki’ translates as ‘that which removes disease and makes the body shine’. This potent fruit is used in Ayurveda to balance all the three Doshas. It is used in Ayurveda to improve digestion, detoxify, and support healing. Haritaki is particularly useful in traditional piles treatment in Ayurveda as it eases the bowel movement and relieves the pressure on the affected areas.  It is also an Ayurvedic anti inflammatory and supports healing. 

Bibhitaki

The fruit Bibhitaki is also called Terminalia belerica. The name is based on the word ‘Vibhitaki’ which translates as ‘to be without fear of disease’.  It is used as a good Ayurvedic detoxifier that purifies muscles, fat, blood, and lymph tissues. It balances the Kapha and Pitta Doshas. It is useful in Ayurvedic medicine as an antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antidiarrheal, antihypertensive, antipyretic, mild laxative, and hepatoprotective. 

Amalaki

Amla or the Indian gooseberry is also called Emblica Officinalis. It is a common ingredient in both food and traditional medicine. Amla is defined in Ayurveda as having the ability to balance all the three Doshas. It is used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine as an antioxidant, immunomodulator, anti-inflammatory, astringent, laxative, and rejuvenator.

Guggul 

It is the best-known anti-inflammatory herb in Ayurveda. It is also known as Balsamodendron mukul and is one of the best Ayurvedic medicines for piles. It helps in reducing the inflammation in fistula-anorectal and hemorrhoidal conditions. Guggul is a laxative and astringent agent that easily metabolizes the bioactive etiologic component of hemorrhoids, especially toxins (ama). The gum resin is proved to be a rich source of steroids that relieves pain and itching. It also balances the body’s Kapha Dosha. It is one of the most potent wound healers in Ayurveda. It aids the body’s detoxification process and helps increase the metabolism of fat in the body thereby reducing cholesterol levels.
                                                                                    

Turmeric

The golden spice Turmeric is an Indian home remedy that has become world-famous. It is used for cosmetic, religious, and health purposes. It is used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine.  Turmeric with its anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties prevents the attack of secondary microbial infection and arrests the bleeding in haemorrhoids. It also helps reduce anal itching. As per the principles of Ayurveda Turmeric has an alkaline and astringent effect that helps to shrink haemorrhoids. Importantly, Turmeric is used in Ayurveda to enhance the digestive fire Agni and balance all the three Doshas.

How Ayurvedic medicine can help in treating piles and fistula

Using a careful balance of the above natural ingredients the solutions from Kerala Ayurveda can help:

• Reduces rectal bleeding
• Alleviates pain & itching
• Relieves Chronic constipation
• Controls anal protrusion, inflammation and swelling
• Facilitates easy bowel evacuation

While Pilogest is effective ayurvedic medicine to cure piles and fissures, we would recommend a slightly altered variation for people suffering from severe bouts of haemorrhoids. In extreme cases, Pilogest Capsules can be used along with Abhayaristam and Chiruvilwadi kwath tablet for best results. 

Before you undertake the above regimens, Kerala Ayurveda strongly advises you to consult with our Ayurvedic Physicians before undertaking any medication.

Side effects of Pilogest Capsule

There are no recorded side effects with this medicine. Safe during pregnancy and lactation. Should be taken under medical supervision.

Dosage of Pilogest Capsule

2 capsules before food in the night or as directed by the physician.

A stress-free life awaits!

Surgery is not the only way to treat piles and fistula. Travel the natural route before others opting for medications and treatments. In order to reap the maximum benefit, one must also follow the lifestyle changes that are recommended. Ayurveda is a preventive as well as protective science that fosters holistic wellness. Lifestyle changes include making one’s food intake also a priority to be scheduled at the same time every day as far as possible. Staying hydrated and eating a balanced diet high on fiber and low on processed ingredients is good. Many of the ingredients that are used in Ayurvedic medicine for fistula are also used in Indian cooking. You can add them to your daily menu in normal quantities. Healthy digestion will not only relieve the piles problem but show results in the overall health and vitality of the person.

FAQ's

1. How do you treat hemorrhoids and fissures?

A helpful way to treat hemorrhoids and fissures is by following the Ayurvedic approach. This involves the use of herbal supplements that can help balance the Doshas. It also helps to improve the digestive system’s working that can help manage hemorrhoids and fissures naturally. Triphala and Guggul are some of the well-known Ayurvedic medicine for hemorrhoids that can help manage this condition. Apart from these measures, Ayurveda recommends dietary changes to help maintain healthy digestion. Exercise and Yoga are helpful in managing all health conditions, including hemorrhoids and fissures.

2. Can fissure cause hemorrhoids?

An anal fissure is a cut in the lining of the anal sphincter muscles. Constipation is one of the causes for developing fissures, because of exerting pressure. It is also common during pregnancy. Obese people are more likely to develop fissures. hemorrhoid is a condition that causes swollen veins in the lowest part of your rectum and anus. Pregnancy and straining to pass stools are some of the reasons for hemorrhoids. Since this is common between hemorrhoids and fissures, there is a risk that people who have fissures develop hemorrhoids. It is estimated that 20% of people having fissures can also have hemorrhoids.

3. Is pilex good for fissure?

Pilex and Pilogest are Ayurvedic medicines for hemorrhoids that are highly helpful. They are also helpful in managing fissures. The tablets contain ingredients that are laxative in nature. They help in smooth bowel evacuation and thus help to reduce straining and constipation. This helps ensure there is a lesser strain on the bowels that can worsen fissures. It also has ingredients that are anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial in nature. It can help in wound healing. All these make these tablets helpful in treating fissures.

4. Which exercise is best for fissure?

One of the simplest and helpful exercises for fissures is walking. It stimulates blood circulation that is helpful in aggravating fissures. Yoga is extremely helpful in managing fissures and hemorrhoids. Some of the helpful Yogasanas for fissures include Dhanurasana or Bow Curve pose. This pose is very helpful to manage constipation. It is very helpful in promoting digestion. You should lie on your stomach and bend your legs to the knees upwards. Then lift your head and take back your arms to hold your heels. Hold the pose for at least 5 seconds.

Another helpful Yoga posture to help manage fissure is Trikonasana or the Triangle posture. Stand with your legs spread apart. The right foot should be outwards and the left foot 45 degrees inward. Bend so that the palm touches the floor behind the leg. This should be repeated on the other side. Doing this posture helps manage gastritis and flatulence. It also helps in strengthening digestion. 

5. What should we not eat in fissure?

Fissures can be worsened by constipation and when the stool turns hard. The food eaten should not worsen constipation. It must ensure the stool is soft and easy to evacuate. The food eaten should be rich in fiber to help improve digestion and promote smooth bowel movement. Whole grains, fruits, and vegetables should be a part of the diet.

Nevertheless, if you are looking for a more systematic natural remedy, you can opt for Ayurvedic medicine for hemorrhoids as directed by the physician. You can get them easily on Kerala Ayurveda.