Supporting Hemorrhoids with Ayurveda

by Julie Wardwell March 08, 2023

Hemorrhoids are a cushion of physical structures within the anorectal canal. The term hemorrhoids is also a condition when experiencing pain, swelling, and itching of the cushions within the anorectal canal. When the cushion like structures are in their normal state they help control the release of stool. There is an older medical term for hemorrhoids known as piles. The word piles is derived from a Latin word pila, which means ball or pill, this is in reference to their appearance.

There are two types of hemorrhoids, internal hemorrhoids which are painless and usually have bright red rectal bleeding when releasing stool. The external type of hemorrhoids are painful with swelling and itching on the outside of the anus, if bleeding occurs it’s usually a darker red color.

Supporting Hemorrhoids with Ayurveda

Ayurveda recognizes a similar condition called arsha. According to Ayurveda, the root cause is improper eating and lifestyle habits. The tri-dosha energies of vata, pitta, kapha become aggravated which causes the vitiation of both vata and pitta dosha. The vitiated pitta dosha accumulates ama within the digestive system and vata dosha then obstructs the digestive channel. This causes the structural cushion tissue to protrude both internally and externally.

Diet and Lifestyle Habits that Cause Arsha

Arsha manifests from improper diet and lifestyle habits and always involves the aggravation of all three doshas. The predominance of one dosha determines the type of hemorrhoid.

• Vataja Arsha is caused by eating an abundance of foods that are astringent, pungent, bitter, dry, cold, light, as well as not eating enough food. Improper lifestyle habits include excess alcohol, frequent sex, fasting, living in a cold climate, excess physical exercise or work, grief, and over exposure to sun and wind.
• Pittaja Arsha is caused by eating too many foods that are pungent, hot, salty, and alkaline. Lifestyle habits include excessive exercise, high exposure to heat from either fire or the sun, living in a hot climate, excess alcohol, feeling envious and eating too many foods or drinks that cause a burning sensation.
• Kaphaja Arsha is caused by eating too many foods that are sweet, oily, cold, salty, sour, and heavy. Improper lifestyle habits include lack of exercise, sitting too long, sleeping during the day, excess sleep, over exposure to wind and cold, living in a cold climate, and an inactive mind.

Two Types of Arsha

• Dry arsha are caused by predominance of aggravated vata and kapha.
• Wet arsha are caused by predominance of aggravated rakta (blood) and pitta.

The natural downward movement through the colon becomes aggravated by improper foods and lifestyle habits. This causes an accumulation of toxins that inflames the anal sphincter.

Symptoms Related to Arsha

• Constipation
• Weak digestion or poor appetite
• Gurgling sound in the lower abdomen
• Emaciation or debility
• Frequent burping, excess gas
• Weakness in the thighs
• Voiding less stool
• Sprue syndrome or IBS
• Anemia

Three Dosha Aggravation

Arsha occurs when all three dosha are aggravated and it is the predominance of one or all of the doshas that defines the type.

Herbal Products Support Arsha

1. Pilocid Tablet balances vata and pitta dosha and supports digestion, elimination, and calms swelling and pain in the anal area.
2. Pilocid Gel contains the herb lajjalu which supports anal health, it is applied locally to the annus and helps sooth pain, inflammation and swelling caused by anal piles.
3. Abhaya Arishtam balances both vata and kapha dosha, removes ama from the gut, increases digestive fire, digests ama, eases gas and bloating in the stomach, and supports a healthy colon.
4. Avipathi Churnam the main ingredient is trivrut which balances both pitta and kapha dosha, helps improve appetite and digestion, removes ama from the gut, and excess acidity from the liver.
5. Chiruvilvadi Kashyam contains chiruvilva which helps balance both vata and pitta dosha, supports digestion, helps reduce gas and bloating, and encourages the elimination of stool.
6. Gandharvahastadi Kashyam contains castor which helps balance vata dosha, reduce excess gas, ease constipation, and supports a healthy digestive system.

If you have any questions about Kottakkal products, please contact julie@kottakkal.shop.

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Kottakkal Ayurveda products and information are not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease. If you have serious, acute, or chronic health problems, please consult a trained health professional. If you are seeking the advice of a trained Ayurvedic professional, call (800) 215-9934 or email us at contact@kottakkal.shop. We will provide you with information to consult with Ayurvedic professionals. Always check with your doctor before taking herbs when pregnant or nursing.

---

Also in Healing with Kottakkal Ayurveda