Hemorrhoids — also called piles — are swollen veins in the rectum (internal hemorrhoids) or around the anus (external hemorrhoids).
They’re kind of like varicose veins, just in a much more sensitive area.
Hemorrhoids can cause itching, pain, swelling, bleeding, and irritation.
They often flare up with things like pregnancy, heavy lifting, constipation, diarrhea (and frequent wiping), or even simple dehydration.
In functional medicine, we go deeper — instead of just treating the symptoms, we focus on why the body is struggling, and how we can support true, lasting healing.
Hemorrhoids vs. Anal Fissures
- Hemorrhoids are swollen, inflamed veins.
- Anal fissures are small tears in the lining of the anus, often causing sharp pain during bowel movements.
It’s important to know which you’re dealing with — because while the root causes can overlap (like constipation or straining), the healing approaches can differ slightly.
Symptoms of Chronic Hemorrhoids
- Pain or discomfort during bowel movements
- Bleeding (bright red on toilet paper)
- Itching or irritation around the anus
- A feeling of incomplete bowel emptying
- Swelling or a small lump near the anus
- Mucus discharge
How to Heal Chronic Hemorrhoids Naturally
Here’s a deeper look through a functional medicine lens:
1. Optimize Blood Circulation
Healthy blood flow is essential, especially to the tiny veins around the rectum. Poor circulation can make these small vessels fragile and prone to swelling.
Tips to optimize circulation:
- Rule out anemia — even mild (“subclinical”) anemia can reduce blood flow.
- Check your MCV (mean corpuscular volume) — ideally ≤90 fL for flexible, healthy red blood cells.
- Take a high-quality methylated B complex to support red blood cell health.
- Support circulation by addressing sleep apnea, low oxygen levels, asthma — and don’t forget about liver health and movement! (Daily 30-minute walks can dramatically boost circulation.)
2. Reduce Oxidative Stress (“Internal Rusting”)
Tiny blood vessels are highly sensitive to oxidative damage.
To protect your vessels:
- Ditch processed foods, sugars, and industrial seed oils (canola, soybean, corn).
- Eat a rainbow! Focus on antioxidant-rich foods like berries, leafy greens, herbs, spices, and sprouts to help protect those delicate veins. If you need extra support dialing in your nutrition, consider joining WildFit Wilderbody — it’s an amazing way to build a strong foundation for healing through real, vibrant foods.
- Load up on healthy fats: wild-caught fish, flax, chia seeds, olive oil.
- Consider antioxidant boosters: vitamin C, bioflavonoids, curcumin, omega-3s, greens powders, horsetail tea, and elderberry tea.
3. Relieve Pressure and Reduce Irritation
Chronic straining and frequent wiping can worsen hemorrhoids.
How to minimize pressure:
- Stay hydrated! (Aim for half your body weight in ounces of water daily.)
- Boost insoluble fiber from veggies — especially with the skin on.
- If loose stools are a problem, psyllium husk (rich in soluble fiber) can help form more solid, less frequent stools.
- Gentle magnesium citrate or Epsom salt baths can help relax muscles and ease bowel movements naturally.
🌿 Digging Deeper: Could Gut Imbalances Be Contributing?
If constipation or diarrhea is a recurring issue, it could be a sign of deeper digestive imbalances.
Comprehensive stool testing can help uncover hidden causes like dysbiosis, infections, inflammation, or enzyme deficiencies — all of which can stress the digestive system and contribute to chronic hemorrhoids. Identifying these root issues allows for a much more targeted and lasting healing plan. Schedule a free consult here to explore your symptoms and get access to advanced functional stool testing that can uncover the “why” behind your struggles.
4. Support Adrenal Health
Your adrenal glands produce cortisol, which helps maintain vein tone.
If cortisol is low (often from chronic stress), veins become weaker — contributing to hemorrhoids.
Clues you might need adrenal support:
- Feeling tired but wired
- Salt cravings
- Dizziness when standing up
- Trouble bouncing back from stress
✨ Testing your cortisol levels can provide valuable insight! Order your kit here.
Supporting your adrenal health through sleep, stress management, mineral balance, and adaptogens can make a world of difference.
Soothing Tips for Immediate Relief
While you’re addressing the deeper causes, some at-home strategies can bring comfort:
🌿 Try These:
- Cool compresses or ice packs for swelling
- Warm sitz baths (or Epsom salt soaks) to relax tissues
- Pure aloe vera gel or witch hazel applied externally
- Herbal suppositories for healing support (comfrey, calendula, marshmallow root)
- Cotton underwear and loose-fitting clothes
- Unscented, gentle wipes or water rinses (not commercial wet wipes)
- Avoid lingering on the toilet — extended sitting puts extra pressure on veins!
The Squatty Potty: A Game Changer
Humans are built to poop in a squat, not a sit!
Sitting keeps the puborectalis muscle tight, making elimination harder (and encouraging straining).
A Squatty Potty (on Amazon here) or even a simple footstool brings your knees higher than your hips — helping straighten your colon for easier, more complete bowel movements.
Studies show squatting reduces straining, shortens bathroom time, and promotes healthier elimination patterns.
Final Thoughts
Chronic hemorrhoids are more than just an annoyance — they’re often a signal of deeper imbalances in circulation, oxidative stress, pressure dynamics, and adrenal function.
When you address these root causes, true healing becomes possible — from the inside out. 🌱
✨ If you’re tired of dealing with hemorrhoids that won’t go away, let’s work together on a personalized plan to restore your health.
👉Schedule a Free Functional Medicine Session here.
