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Alternative Hemorrhoid Treatment: Calendula Topical Cream

Hemorrhoids affect many men and women throughout the United States. For individuals who want to avoid surgery or costly visits to their healthcare professional, alternative methods of treatments may be the best route to take.

Hemorrhoids can be described as swollen blood vessels in the anal area. Though there is much speculation as to the causes of hemorrhoids, experts still do not understand the exact causes.

Lack of exercise, prolonged sitting or standing and pregnancy appear to be contributors to hemorrhoids

Individuals who suffer from hemorrhoids which have become sore and irritated are instructed to eat more fruits and vegetables and to drink plenty of liquids. Calendula cream can be purchased at a local health food store or herb shop and can be an excellent source of treatment for hemorrhoids, but you can make your own calendula oil, which can be applied to the cleaned area. Calendula will help the irritated area to help heal. Some people even add calendula flowers to their bath water. Adding petals from approximately four flowers along with two tablespoons of Epsom salts to a hot back makes for an excellent hemorrhoid soak (soak for about 15 minutes).

Calendula Skin Oil

Ingredients

     1 cup packed fresh calendula petals (approximately 1 ounce)
     2 cups olive oil, grapeseed oil or avocado oil
     ½ cup wheat germ oil

Combine all of the ingredients in a large glass bottle. Cover and let sit in a sunny window for two weeks. Make sure you shake the bottle daily during the two weeks. Strain the oil and store in the refrigerator.

Yields 2 ½ cups.

A variation for extra dry and mature skin is to add 1/3 cup of fresh clary sage leaves and flowers along with ¼ cup of fresh Saint John’s Wort leaves to the above ingredients.

Calendula skin oil is very gentle. In fact, it can be used on elderly people as well as babies. It’s excellent for massage and is good for healing dry cuticles, heels, feet, elbows and even can be used for chapped lips.

This oil can also be used for an under-eye cream. It should be lightly patted on damp skin. Additionally, it can be used to smooth hands after gardening. Make sure you wash your hands thoroughly and rub them with the oil while they are still wet.

With this recipe, the user is given the choice of base oils.

Grapeseed is the lightest of the three and is absorbed the quickest. Avocado is also light. Olive oil is heavier and more protective. Using a base of olive oil is good for skin which has been exposed to the elements like gardening, skiing or working outside in all weather.