Dear Connie

We at ayurvedaonline expected your result 5 weeks earlier, your
having told us well in advance. However, you rememembered the group
when you had a problem. Let it be.

Martha (doulaminerva) and Guru Khalsa have already contributed internal oleation, several solutions to post-partum problems,
food recommendations and easy evacuation method. Author here gives a
general perspective for treatment of both types of piles. This post
is directed more to Indians in foreign countries as well as in
motherland. See if you can get something out of it.

Piles (hemorrhoids) contain hard eruptions inside the rectum. The
Sanskrit name for this is Arsha, derived from word Ari, meaning
enemy. It troubles just like enemy or a terrorist. Eruptions those
occur on neck, head, face, nose, ears, eyelids and skin are not so
troublesome. But eruptions inside rectum cause a lot of suffering. In
what follows, we will use the term piles, which covers both types,
dry, which do not bleed and those which bleed (hemorrhoids is more
appropriate for bleeding piles). They occur generally under all three
doshas. However, dry (non-bleeding) ones are due to Kapha and Vata
while bleeding ones are due to Pitta excess. Vata driven piles cause
pains while those having excess Kapha cause itching. Pitta driven
piles do not cause much pain, but inflamation and bleeding show their
presence. Whatever be the dosha, the main reason for Piles is the
weakening of elasticity of colon caused by atherosclerosis
(contraction of) of arteries carrying blood to rectum.

Life Style
Piles was a problem in historical days also. Those deviating from
norms suggested by ancient sage were few, as compared to today.
todays life style and food invites and encourages Piles. They are
caused by sedantary life style, horse riding, riding motor-byke for
a long time. Low digestive fire coupled with excess food indulgence,
constipation, can cause piles. Frequent use of harsh laxatives
weakens large intestine and give rise to piles. Hereditary piles, if
present, makes cure very difficult. Many childbirths by vaginal
delivery can also cause piles. During pregnancy, constipation is most
likely as blood flow is diverted to foetus and foetus in-turn needs
pelvic space, pressing on colon all the time. Thus pressure on
rectum, gives rise to piles. Mothers have to sacrifice a lot to
children right from womb-stage itself.

Foods
Reduce as much as possible cerals (legumes), heavy to digest dairy
items, fruits with milk, jaggery with milk, onion and milk, seasame
seeds with jaggery, sweets, soft floor items and bakery items,
potato, oils, chillies, spices, red mutton, white mutton.

Rice, wheat Chapati, Green gram soup, all leafy vegetables, butter,
butter-milk, aamalki juice can be taken.

A root vegetable called Suran in Hindi and Swarna-gadde in Kanada is
especially noted to be good for piles. Cook in pressure cooker, mash,
add a little Saindhav salt and eat. If continued for 15 days,
significant benefits will be seen. One can take fresh buttermilk
(avoid sour buttermilk) along with this mash, it will help further.
Soups made from floors of Java and Kalthi (Indian grains) are also
noted to reduce Piles suffering.

For relief from pain, one can sit in hot water or apply fomentation
to piles. Be careful if you have the habit of removing pitta by
intentional vomits during morning. Avoid sunbath. Sex is noted to
increase the pain.

The blood going out through piles should not be stopped immediately.
Body gets rid of the blood containing toxins this way. Of course this
does not mean that patients should be allowed to get weakness by
hemorrhage.

There are many medicines which try to reduce blood outgo. For
instance Aamalakai Ghanvati taken with sugar twice a day. A mixture
of 1 cup water, 1 cup milk, black dried grapes, boiled till 1 cup
remains and taken after cooling will help. Take twice a day.

Aarogyavardhini Ras, two tabs with water at bedtime improves liver,
expels pitta towards rectum causing stools to become smooth and soft.
This reduces pain while evacuation.

Haritaki (small), fried in Castor oil and powdered, when taken 1-2
tsp with water at bedtime is a soft laxative. Castor oil has the
healing property for ulcers in the large intestine. Oleation is
highly benificial in Piles. For those who find it dificult to get
Haritaki fruits, they can mix Haritaki powder, Licorice powder and
Isabgol powder in equal proportion and take 2 tsp at bedtime, with
water. Licorice and Isabgol soften the stools and reduce the
bleeding. Isabgol is 100% fibre, helping elimination.

Abhayadi Ghanvati (2-2 Tabs with water) or Abhayarishta (15-15 ml
with equal water):
These formulations of Indian pharmacies contain cooling herbs to
reduce bleeding and also cause digestion of Ama and more blood flow
to Sigmoidal colon, so that evacuation is done properly.

Arshakuthar Ras and Arshoghni Vati are used in case of non-bleeding
and bleeding piles respectively. However, these should be used under
supervision of a vaidya.

Indian pharmacies sell some ointments which contain Shatdhouti Ghrut,
Raskapur, Sindur, Sandal oil etc. (e.g. Arshohar Malam). This
ointment can be applied to rectum by small finger, or applicator
available in drug stores. Cotton wick as suggested by Martha is best
method, since slow release technique. Application at bed time and
early morning before evacuation helps. Reduces pain/inflamation and
bleeding. If applied after evacuation, it will reduce swelling and
pain during the day. Once the blood flow to rectum is improved, the
Piles start setting slowly and one day get removed through stools
without patient knowing. One more medicated oil useful in such case
is known as Kasisadi Tel. Ordinary Castor oil also gives substantial
relief; however, best is Indian cow ghee.

If piles have grown to large size, and if you are advised to go for
surgery, Ayurveda also has surgery possible. Kshar-sutra Chikitssa is
well established in India, which is inexpensive and least invasive
procedure. Piles, ulcers are related ailments. Before they go to
extremes, it is better to avoid constipation, indigestion, gas,
hyperacidity etc by taking ayurvedic treatment in advance.

There are many more receipes and formulations, since it is a very
commonly occuring ailment, often people learn to live with. In todays
fast life, only villagers have availablity of time, herbs and most
important, simple remedies handed over to each new generation by passing
generation.

Dr Bhate



--- In ayurvedaonline@yahoogroups.com, "Connie Habash" <Connie@a...>
wrote:
>
> Namaste, all -
> I gave birth 5 weeks ago, and am now having
> bad hemorrhoids. Quite painful upon bowel
> movement, and bleeding. I'm using a natural
> balm for them, but what else does Ayuveda
> recommend?
> Blessings,
> Connie