TRADITIONAL INTERNAL MEDICINE – DISEASES & FORMULAS
Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids or ‘Piles’ refers to a swollen Vein or group of Veins around the Anus. They may be very painful, may be internal or external, and may present with Blood.
The ‘Hemorrhoid Veins’ were long used in Bloodletting, and were said to be filled with Melancholic Blood. Excess of the Melancholy Humor helps produce and feed the growth of Hemorrhoids. The Melancholic Blood is thick and obstructs the veins.
Therefore, to treat Hemorrhoids, a light, easy-to-digest diet must be used. Heavy, rich foods and over-eating must be strictly avoided. Medicines to thin the Blood and break Blood stasis are used along with medicines to enhance digestion.
Ayurveda has the Arcoghna group of Drugs, used to cure Hemorrhoids:
Holarrhena antidysenterica, Aegle marmelos fruit, Ginger, Aconitum heterophyllum, Chebulic Myrobalan, Hedysarum alhagi, Barberry, Calamus, Piper chaba
Western Tradition
Simples
Fenugreek
Bdellium
Butchers Broom
Figwort
Cypress nuts
Chebulic Myrobalan
Mullein
Restharrow
Horsechestnut
Polypody
Emblic Myrobalan
Black Myrobalan
1. Rhubarb (½ oz.) taken with Quince jelly.
2. “Black myrobalans are good for Piles. Fenugreek is
useful for Piles. Indian bdellium is useful for Piles”. (Rhazes)
Purgatives for Use with Hemorrhoids
Buckthorn
Tamarind
Cream of Tartar
Triphala
Figs
Simples for Topical Application
Pilewort (Lesser Celandine)
Cypress nuts
Bistort
Black Nightshade
Red Lead
Yarrow
Poplar buds
Tormentil
Leech
Alum
1. Oil of Linseed is good for Painful Hemorrhoids
2. Eel fat applied stops bleeding Hemorrhoids
Chinese Classification
Qi Deficiency, Sinking of Qi
Blood Stagnation
Huo Luo Xiao Ling Dan
Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang
Bleeding Hemorrhoids
Jiao Ai Tang
Purgative for use with Hemorrhoids
Ma Zi Ren Wan
Wu Ren Wan
Zeng Ye Tang
Formulas
Pills of Bdellium (Mesue)
Electuary of Micleta (Nicholas)
Hiera of Abbas (Unani)
Triphera Galeni
Triphera Minor (Triphera Phoenonis) (Mesue)
Triphala Electuary Lesser (Unani)
Triphera of the Saracens (Triphera Saracenica)
Ointment for Hemorrhoids
Arsoghni Vati (Hemorrhoid Pills) (Ayurveda)
Embelia 7 (Byi tang bdun pa)
Laxatixe for Use with Hemorrhoids:
Pills of Figs (Unani)
Special Formula
BLESSED OINTMENT FOR HEMORRHOIDS
Dragon’s blood Litharge
Turmeric
Scoria of Silver. equal parts
Powder, add wine vinegar and mix, adding a little Violet oil and Lily oil and beat until a rusty color appears. Apply on cloth and apply. (The Medical Formulary of Al-Kindi)
OINTMENT FOR HEMORRHOIDS (1)
Armenian Earth
Gum Arabaic
Mastic
Dragons Blood
Myrrh
Rose
Pomegranate flowers. 3 drams ea.
Butter 1 oz.
Oil of Roses 3 oz.
Leek juice 3 drams
Filipendula juice 4 oz.
Boil the juices gently with the Wax and Oil and the juice is consumed, then add the rest in powder and form an Ointment. (Secrets of Alexis)
OINTMENT FOR HEMORRHOIDS (2)
Chicken fat 2 oz.
Oil of Roses 2 oz.
Wax 3 drams
Egg Yolk 1
Saffron half dram
Make an Ointment. Opium (1 dram) was added if there was pain.
OINTMENT FOR HEMORRHOIDS (3)
Terebinth 1.5 oz.
Birdlime 2 scruples
Zinc oxide 3 oz.
Silver Litharge
Ceruse
Copperas 2 oz.
Plantain 6 drams
Oil 1 pound
Form an Ointment. (Secrets of Alexis)
OINTMENT FOR PAINFUL HEMORRHOIDS
Ox marrow
Goose fat
Egg yolk
Bees Wax
White lead
Rose oil equal parts
Mix and apply. (The Medical Formulary of Al-Kindi)
1. Black Wood Ear (Hei Mu Er). 60 grams
Black Sesme seed (Hei Zhi Ma). 15 grams
Stir-fry half the Wood Ear mushroom until slightly burnt. Then stir-fry the Sesame until fragrant. Add 1500 mls. of water, boil for 30 minutes, strain and keep. Drink 100 mls. with Sugar 2–3 times daily. This relieves the irritation and stops Bleeding.
Research:
1. An Evidence-Based Study on Medicinal Plants for Hemorrhoids in Medieval Persia
