If you have hemorrhoids then you know how painful and embarrassing it can be. Though not a serious disease, it can be extremely troublesome.
Apart from the various hemorrhoid products available on the market, you can also use natural remedies to get relief from painful hemorrhoidal symptoms.
Studies have shown that raw garlic for hemorrhoids can be an effective remedy.
Garlic (Allium sativum) is known for its both medicinal and culinary benefits, but can it alleviate hemorrhoids symptoms? Let’s find out.
A Guide To Garlic
Garlic is often described as a flower, a vegetable and an herb. It is an ancient remedy used in treating different medical conditions.
Garlic produces 3 effects to serve as an excellent remedy in treating hemorrhoids. It is a potent antibiotic; it reduces blood pressure; and it is an antioxidant.
Recent studies have identified the active agent in garlic. This active agent is called allicin. Allicin is responsible for most of the health benefits of garlic as well as its aroma. Therefore, it is important to use a garlic source that gives off the distinctive garlic aroma.
Allicin
Allicin has been extensively studied. Research findings show that it is the active agent that constitutes garlic’s defensive mechanism against pests.
Allicin has antibacterial and antifungal properties. The sulfur contained in its structure is responsible for these antibiotic properties but is also why garlic can irritate the soft tissues of the anal canal in some people.
When garlic is cut or crushed, the allicin content decomposes and turns into a compound called 2-propenesulfenic acid.
This compound is responsible for the antioxidant property of garlic as it binds to harmful, free radicals.
Some people who find the smell of garlic repulsive often buy deodorized garlic tablets. However, these are impure forms of garlic with the allicin content removed. Without the allicin content, the efficacy of garlic is greatly diminished.
Allicin is safe to use but very high doses may reduce the ability of the blood to clot leading to excessive bleeding from the hemorrhoids.
In addition, those placed on blood thinners such as Coumadin should avoid garlic.
How It Works?
Garlic may be used as a suppository to get rid of hemorrhoids.
It works by reinforcing blood vessels and destroying germs in the rectal region. It also reduces skin inflammation.
Garlic has anti-inflammatory properties that soothe the inflamed area in and around the anus.
The astringent properties of the herb assist in quick recovery of damaged walls of the blood vessels.
A garlic enema can cleanse the intestinal tract and reduce discomfort in passing bowels.
Direction For Use
Consuming garlic is an effective way to alleviate pain, itching, and irritation associated with hemorrhoids.
You may consider consuming garlic pills along with your meals. It can also be used topically to reduce inflammation in the rectal region.
To use garlic as a suppository, you can peel of a small piece of garlic and push it slightly inside the rectum.
Leave the garlic suppository overnight and let your normal bowel movement dispose of it.
Replicate this garlic treatment 3 times each week to alleviate pain, itching, and irritation.
Don’t use garlic for bleeding hemorrhoids as this may aggravate the condition.
What Are The Side Effects?
Garlic is safe for most adults, but in some cases it may cause side effects such as breath and body odor, upset stomach, heartburn, and allergic reactions.
If you notice any of the above mentioned side effects, call your doctor or health care provider immediately.
Tell your health care provider about any complementary and alternative practices you use.
Are There Any Drug Interactions?
Garlic is known to reduce the absorption of isoniazid. Don’t consume garlic if you are taking isoniazid (Nydrazid, INH).
Taking garlic along HIV/AIDS medications or Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NNRTIs) might decrease their effectiveness.
HIV/AIDS medicines that may interact with garlic include: nevirapine (Viramune), delavirdine (Rescriptor), and efavirenz (Sustiva).
Garlic might also slow blood clotting. You must avoid taking it with the following anticoagulant/ antiplatelet drugs:
Aspirin, clopidogrel, diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen, dalteparin, enoxaparin, heparin, warfarin, and others.
You can take hemorrhoid products containing natural ingredients along with herbs for hemorrhoids to get quick relief from this condition.
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