AUSTRALIAN NATUROPATHIC NETWORK
 Serving the community since 1998

The following case studies do not represent implemented treatment programs. They are protocols developed by students in the course of their studies, and should be taken as examples only.

Note - Anyone suffering from the conditions described below should seek advice from a primary health care practitioner. No responsibility is taken for any individual attempting to use the treatments described in these studies.

Describe your management of haemorrhoids in a 52 year old female.

Condition Description

Abnormally large or painful conglomorates of blood vessels, supporting tissues and overlying mucous membrane or skin of the anorectal area¹.

Can be internal, external or internal/external¹.

Extremely common in industrialised countries².

Signs and Symptoms

Bright red bleeding on the surface of the stool, on the toilet tissue and/or in the toilet bowl¹.

Pain in the anal region³.

Pain that is constant but exacerbated by a bowel movement, sitting or walking³.

Causes and Mitigating Factors

• Genetic weakness of veins¹
• Excessive venous pressure¹
• Pregnancy¹
• Long periods of standing or sitting¹
• Heavy lifting¹
• Chronic constipation – the most common cause⁴
• Liver congestion – another common cause⁴

Low fibre diet – increased straining during movement increases blood flow to area increases risk of haemarrhoids.

Non-pharmacological measures

Increase fibre in diet and thus ease the abdominal pressure required to pass the stool¹.

Hydrotherapy – the use of a Sitz bath (partial immersion of the pelvic region in warm water) is an effective treatment¹.

Increase levels of exercise – will also aid with movements.

Supplements - Vitamins A, B(complex), C, E, Bioflavonoids, and Zinc.

Herbal Therapeutics

Treatment can be offered both internally and topically. Classes of herb required for topical application include:

Astringents – to tone the skin and heal the haemorrhoids.

A specific for the treatment of haemorrhoids is Rannunculus ficaria (pilewort), which can be made into an ointment. Other useful astringents for topical application inculde Geranium maculatum, Hamamelis virginiana, Potentilla tormentill, and Chamomilla recutita.

An internal formula for haemorrhoids is similar to those used to treat varicose veins^1,4,5.

Classes of herbs to consider include:

Aperients – to ease the passage of stools

Cholagogues – to releave liver congestion

Circulatory Tonics – to improve circulation to the affected area and reduce fragility of capillaries

Vulnerary – to heal the damaged tissue

Antiinflammatory – to reduce inflammation

A formula for haemorrhoids could include:

Dosage – 5mls three times a day.

References

1. Murray, M., Pizzorno, J.,Encyclopaedia of Natural Medicine, Little, Brown and Company, UK, 1995.
2. Pizorno, J., Murray, M., Textbook of Natural Medicine, Bastyr College, Seattle, 1989.
3. Willis Hurst, J., (Ed.), Medicine for the Practicing Physician – 3^rd Edition, Butterworth-Heinemann, USA, 1992.
4. Hoffmann, D., The New Holistic Herbal, Element, Shaftsbury, 1993.
5. Mills, S., The Complete Guide to Modern Herbalism, Thorsons, London, 1989.