Pawanmuktasana, Setu Bandhasana, Sirsasana
Anuloma Viloma, Sitali, Ashwini Mudra
Do you suffer from hemorrhoids, with painful or bleeding bowel movements?
Do you feel burning or itching around the anal area?
In Ayurveda, hemorrhoids can result from the accumulation of toxins or excess phlegm (Kapha) in the pelvic region. How does this happen? The impure Kapha and toxins collect in the small veins and capillaries around the anus, forming small, bulging sacs that push downward. When inflammation becomes severe, these sacs can rupture during bowel movements, leading to bleeding.
So how can we reverse this downward movement in the lower colon and help the anus return to its proper position?
By practicing Pawanmuktasana (Wind-Relieving Pose), Setu Bandhasana (Bridge Pose), and Sirsasana (Headstand), you can create an upward energy flow in the anal area.
Additionally, practice Anuloma Viloma (alternate nostril breathing) and Ashwini Mudra (anal contraction practice).
If your hemorrhoids are accompanied by bleeding, practice Sitali Pranayama (cooling breath).
What else can we do to get rid of this problem?
The first and most important step in treating hemorrhoids is to correct your diet and prevent constipation.
During an active phase of hemorrhoids, you should strictly avoid foods that are astringent or constipating**, as they cause toxic Kapha to accumulate in the intestines.
If your hemorrhoids are not accompanied by bleeding, minimize the intake of the following foods:
Legumes (lentils, fava beans, kidney beans, chickpeas, etc.), cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, potatoes, raw apples (cooked apples are fine), mint (and all mint-based products like mint tea or extract), cheese, yogurt, cream, thick dairy fat, ice cream, fast foods (like cheeseburgers, pizza, lasagna—anything made with refined flour, industrial oil, cheese, and beef), as well as fried and greasy foods.
If your hemorrhoids involve bleeding, also minimize the following foods:
Corn, eggplant, egg yolks, beef and veal, seafood, vinegar and pickled foods, sour fruits (such as sour cherries, peaches, nectarines, green plums), oranges, tangerines, sour citrus, lavashak (fruit leather), kombucha, kefir, spicy seasonings (black pepper, chili, curry, masala, cayenne, etc.), raw garlic and onions, raw scallions, alcohol, caffeine, chocolate, cigarettes, and marijuana.
Preventing constipation is crucial for healing.
Every night before bed, mix the following:
In half a glass of hot water, add 2 teaspoons of khakshir (descurainia sophia seeds), 1 teaspoon of **plantain seeds (barhang), and 1 teaspoon of psyllium husk (esfandzeh), along with one or two dried apricots.
In the morning, add half a glass of hot water, a few drops of lemon juice, 1 teaspoon of honey, and a pinch of salt. Drink it on an empty stomach. Alongside this, mix ½ teaspoon of Triphala or black myrobalan (Haritaki) powder with 1 teaspoon of honey to form a paste and swallow it.
Recommended Foods During Active Hemorrhoids
Include the following foods in your diet:
Cooked leek (for example, leek patties), okra (such as okra stew), beets, carrot juice, and turmeric (use more turmeric in cooking).
If your hemorrhoids involve bleeding, drink diluted pomegranate juice every 1–2 hours:
¼ cup pomegranate juice + ¼ cup fennel water + ½ cup warm water + 1 teaspoon honey.
Gentle Detox Plan During Active Hemorrhoids
Wake up around 6 a.m. and drink a detox tonic on an empty stomach:
1 glass of warm water + a few drops of lemon juice + a pinch of salt + 1 teaspoon honey.
(If you have high blood pressure, use pink Himalayan salt instead of regular salt.)
After 15–30 minutes, drink a glass of fresh carrot–celery juice (2 parts carrot to 1 part celery).
Add ¼ cup fennel water or ½ teaspoon fennel powder to the juice before drinking.
For breakfast (7–8 a.m.), lunch (12–1 p.m.), and dinner (6–7 p.m.), have a bowl of digestive soup:
Sauté one chopped onion in olive or sesame oil with saffron, turmeric, and coriander seeds.
If you are not vegetarian, add a small piece of chicken breast along with carrots, parsley, leek, scallions, celery, and cilantro. Add some quinoa (vegetables should make up about 70% and protein/grains about 30%).
Flavor your soup with lemon juice before serving.
Starting two hours after each meal, drink one cup of the following herbal tea every hour (or use Ananda’s Digestive Tea as a substitute):
Mix the following herbs (not powdered):
3 parts fennel + ½ part fenugreek seeds + 1 part psyllium + ½ part cumin + 1 part basil + 1 part rose petals.
Add 1 teaspoon of the mixture to a cup of boiling water and let it steep. Before drinking, add a few drops of lemon juice, a pinch of salt, and 1 teaspoon honey.
As a snack, eat a bowl of cooked pears or apples and 2–3 dried apricots.
Continue this light detox plan for 2 to 4 days depending on your strength.
This detox is similar to fasting, so avoid heavy exercise and take things slowly while following it.
If you feel better afterward, try repeating it once every month or two.
### Additional Home Remedies for Hemorrhoids
Mix the following herbs in the given ratios (whole herbs, not powdered):
1 part yarrow + 1 part myrtle + 1 part oat + 2 parts sea salt + 2 parts psyllium + 1 part calendula + 1 part baking soda.
Add 2–3 tablespoons of this blend to a pot of water, cover, and boil for 5 minutes.
When it cools slightly, strain the liquid and pour it into a small basin. Add 1–2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar.
Sit in this herbal bath for about 20 minutes once or twice a day.
Before defecation, apply a small amount of castor oil around the anal area.
After cleaning and drying, apply a thin layer of myrtle oil, castor oil, or fresh aloe vera gel.
If you live outside Iran, you can use neem oil.
If you live in Iran, you can also use MG Barij cream (which contains myrtle extract) available in pharmacies.
Wishing you health and well-being,
Written by Setareh Kiumarsi
Please mention the author’s name, Setareh Kiumarsi, when sharing this article, which has been lovingly written with the hope of health and healing for all.
