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Apple Cider Vinegar for Hemorrhoids: 4 Proven Relief Methods

| Modified on Nov 17, 2024
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Apple Cider Vinegar
Discover how apple cider vinegar (ACV) can provide natural relief for hemorrhoids, as shared by over 120 users on Earth Clinic. This cost-effective solution is highlighted in various personal accounts, showcasing its potential in easing this common and often uncomfortable condition. Here are four proven methods to utilize ACV for hemorrhoid relief.

4 Effective Apple Cider Vinegar Techniques for Hemorrhoid Relief

1. Direct Application

  • Soak a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and apply it gently to the affected area.
  • Alternatively, use a vinegar-soaked cotton ball as an overnight compress.
  • To reduce irritation, dilute the vinegar with an equal amount of water.
  • For additional comfort, apply coconut or castor oil after using vinegar.

2. Oral Consumption

  • Drink a mixture of 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water once or twice daily to support internal relief.
  • This method can be combined with topical applications for comprehensive treatment.

3. Sitz Bath Enhancement

  • Add 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar to your sitz bath, soaking for 10-20 minutes twice daily.

4. Cooling Ice Cubes

  • Freeze a mixture of equal parts water and apple cider vinegar in small ice cube trays.
  • Apply the cubes to the hemorrhoids several times daily to alleviate pain and reduce swelling.

Side Effects and Precautions

While apple cider vinegar is a natural remedy, it may cause discomfort during application, and some users have reported increased swelling. To minimize these effects, always dilute the vinegar with water.

Share Your Experience

Have you used apple cider vinegar for hemorrhoid relief? Continue reading for more personal stories and tips on using this natural remedy.

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
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Posted by DL (NC) on 05/05/2023
 ★★★★★

Topical application of apple cider vinegar, just once, quickly helped heal a hem when it did not appear to be getting better after 4 days. I never have this issue, but something triggered it at the end of a quick trip to Costa Rica last week. Possibly a parasite? Very painful. 24 hours before the hem appeared, I felt like I was suddenly bitten in the rump by a scorpion. I wasn't, obviously, but the pain was searing for a minute or two. At any rate, after I returned home and it didn't seem to be getting any better by the 4th day, I read through every post on EC's hemorrhoid page and decided topical acv one evening before bed was the thing to try. Burned like the dickens, but much better the next day and totally healed after 2 days. I only did it once for about 20 seconds. Oh, I also took parasite cleansing herbs right away just in case.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Harry (TX) on 03/22/2023
 ★★★★★

I've used Apple Cyder Vinegar for my hemmoroids for at least 15 years and have not had a problem with it. It goes away sometimes for year or so sometimes depending on my diet. Some spicy foods seem to flare it up or sitting for extended periods. Also the seating does make a difference.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Hoppimike (Kent) on 08/14/2020 25 posts
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

The best results I've gotten so far is mixing ACV in water and then adding some guar gum, because then you can apply it like a gel.

I use quite a low amount of ACV relative to the water, just so it doesn't sting. Maybe 1 part ACV to 4 or 5 parts water. I'm not sure exactly. It doesn't seem to matter too much as long as it doesn't sting. And then I add a fairly small amount of guar gum and it makes this gel that I can easily apply and it can stay working for a long time. I apply it maybe twice a day but it's super effective so I can be fairly lazy with applications and still be OK.

I used to use rutin and also Anusol but both stopped working after a while. So far the ACV is working fine :)

Hope that helps someone!

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Paula (London) on 09/09/2018
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I get the H occassionally for no apparent reason and have been wandering round with my latest addition for bout a month. It was the size of a small grape and I was starting to panic. I had used this site before and it finally occurred to me to look up a cure. I put a mixture of 50/50 water and apple cider vinegar in a glas and dipped a corner of a cotton pad in the mixture (so it was not soaking wet) and placed it directly on the pile. I put some toilet paper in my underwear to keep it in place and slept with it on. This morning it is completely gone. This is crazy. I am so happy.

Oh, and top tip - you can buy any apple cider vinegar, it does not need to be organic or with the mother or the source or whatever it is that people say. It worked with my 79 cent supermarket purchase! Wooo thank you thank you thank you.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Vladimir (New Yourk) on 06/30/2018
 ★★★★★

Apple cider. Help me with hemmoroids. like magick. Every morning I drink straight from bottle one gulp.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Theorist (Shelton, Wa) on 06/19/2018
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I never had a hemorrhoid until the birth of my daughter, and ever since then I am always just one bad bm away from the grapes of wrath.

I'd tried several different treatments with minimal results; tucks (witch hazel) pads, shark liver oil creams, sits baths. Out of desperation one night I tried the Apple Cider Vinegar treatment and was shocked that everything I read was true. My new hemi has shrunken by half the next morning, and was almost completely gone after a second treatment.

What I did: grab a wet wipe and squeeze it mostly dry. Fold into a 2” square. Soak the wipe with raw w/mother ACV, and gently squeeze excess dripping out. Tuck into your cheeks so it is position on the hemorrhoid (s). Sleep overnight with the wipe in. Remove and rinse in the morning. Boom, magical shrinkage!

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Nicolemv (Winsted, Connecticut) on 04/07/2018
 ★★★★★

Apple cider vinegar on a pad applied to hemmroid. Hemmroid was so painful I couldn't walk. After literally 20 seconds of applying vinegar I have immediate relief.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Ms Middleton (Georgia) on 03/21/2018
 ★★★★★

Apple cider vinegar remedy for hemorrhoids:

I've had an annoying hemmorhoid since I had my last son 19yrs ago. It flares up from time to time. Well it's been bothering me for about a week now. I searched for this remedy. I decided to give acv a try and so far yes everyone initial reaction it stings a little at first but after I removed the cotton ball immediately the pain that I was feeling ranging a 8 was down to about a 3 almost not feeling it. Again this is my first time. I will be back in a week or so with the final outcome.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Lee (Philadelphia, Pa) on 02/20/2018
 ★★★★☆

Editor's Choice

I have had a hemmy about the size of an elongated jelly bean with a few other lesser clusters for about two weeks. For a while I was just using Prep H and other balms and salves and white knuckling my way through it. Eventually I started doing hot or warm baths w Epsom salts and Tucks. I also tried topical cypress oil. Baths and Tucks helped soothe the pain and itching temporarily. It seemed like the salves and Prep H were just kind of making a gooey mess and not really helping my skin.

One night I was out partying (this is all during Mardi Gras to be honest), and passed out in a bathtub while doing a routine bath and was there for 4 hours. The next morning, my roids were a lot worse and the skin of my butthole was more raw and sensitive. I think all that soaking really messed me up. It was suddenly even harder to walk without feeling like my skin was tearing - I could barely sit, stand, walk or lie down.

After a couple days of that, I tried a poultice of honey to heal up the skin. Honey worked super, super well to heal up my broken skin, but seemed to make the swelling worse.

After a while I realized I should probably stop taking baths because wounds need to be dry to heal.

I started doing ACV. I experienced a lot of burning and itching at first, and like others said, it lessened up or went away after maybe 5-10 mins. I think the burns a lot less when you don't have broken skin. My advice is basically to get strategic about what you're using for what purpose. If you need to heal your broken skin, spend less time in the bath, keep your skin clean and dry, and moisturize with coconut oil and consider doing a honey treatment. If you're trying to take down swelling, REALLY ease your pain, increase your mobility, and hopefully shrink your lil inflamed roids, do ACV treatments.

After 4 days of ACV, I can walk normally again and get up from sitting without fear of extreme pain. My smaller hemmies are shrinking but the big one is almost the same size as it was, just less engorged and mostly numb unless they experience friction or pulling from movement.

Sorry to ramble but I thought this could be enlightening to someone.

Can't effing wait for them to be gone completely.

I think the bigger one isn't shrinking as easily because before it swelled it was kind of warped scar tissue from a past hemorrhoid to begin with. I think it's not absorbing the ACV in the same way as the rest of my bum, sadly.

Also, I think it may be better to dilute at more of of 1:3 ACV/water ratio if your skin still feels way too sensitive. If there are parts that can take it, 1:2 should be fine.

GOOD LUCK ALL OF YOU

Replied by Charity
(Faithville, Us)
02/21/2018

Try witch hazel to shrink them (put cotton ball with it on there and let sit a bit ) and then coat after that with some coconut oil to lubricate the area so no tearing.

Vinegar is a bit harsh and the acid in it removes skin layers.

Replied by Loz
(New South Wales)
03/10/2018

THANK YOU!!!!!!

Replied by Lay
(Manila)
06/23/2018

Hi, I just wanna ask if how long now do you use the ACV? I am using it for almost two weeks now, and it really relieves the pain and after I remove the ACV, my hemmi shrinks. But then maybe after a few hours, I feel like the hemmi will get bigger again. I just want for it to be completely gone. Thanks..

Replied by deb
(calif.)
02/26/2022

change your diet...cut out alcohol and coffee for awhile and eat healthy food.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by The Cure (Usa) on 11/19/2017
 ★★★★★

ACV truly worked for me - I had an external hemorrhoid about the size of two large grapes. It was very inflamed, swollen, purple in color and bleeding alot. Saying it was extremely painful would be an understatement as I could barely sit down even walking was painful and I was almost sure I would have to go in for surgery.

For one week I put ACV onto cotton and onto the area. I did this a few times a day and also during the night. Soak the cotton well and put something under it to hold in place (mostly I used toilet paper) Doing this healed it completely in about 1 week. I was astonished at how well ACV works.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Kw (Florida) on 09/29/2017
 ★★★★★

Yes! ACV is definitely working. I am 19 weeks pregnant and recently got a terrible external hemorrhoid. It was about the size of a grape on Sunday, red / purplish in color, painful, swollen and just down right nasty. I went to my doctor and got a prescription but decided to give natural remedies a try first. Since The first day I noticed it I began applying coconut oil about 5 or more times a day and making sure to keep the area clean. It helped with the burning and pain, so I was more comfortable pretty much after 2 days but the size was still the same. Then I read about ACV and decided to give it a try. I began to use it on Tuesday. One cotton ball soaked applied topically, once a day so far. First night about 3 minutes, because it was stinging a little. Then I rinsed. Second night about 5 minutes and last night about 10 minutes. This morning I noticed a huge difference. (It is Friday). The size of it shrank to about half! I am so impressed. So guess what, I am going to continue this until it is completely gone. If you read online it says that the darn things don't really go away, etc. I was terrified. But so far I am very pleased with my results and that's after only 5 days of treating it this way. I am still applying coconut oil (extra Virgin, organic, cold pressed) to keep the area moisturized and it apparently helps with the swelling too. I am writing this because I found all these testimonials very helpful and encouraging. I remember my mom suffering from hemorrhoids for years. If only I knew back then what I know now!

Also, I have changed my diet by adding a lot more fiber so I don't strain when I go. I am sure this is very important too. I'll have bran cereal with almond milk in the morning, adding 2 tablespoons of ground flax seed, 1 tablespoon coconut oil, walnuts, a little bit of fruit and maple syrup for sweetness. I'll have brown rice with broccoli or Brussels sprouts for lunch and a Metamucil or Psyllium husk before bed. And lots of water. I still eat other things like the other night I had steak and fries but in moderation and most meals are foods that will pass easily when you go. This has also made a huge difference.

i hope this remedy helps out a ton more people seeking relief because I now realize how horrble this can be! Also, I am so curious to know just what else ACV and other natural remedies are good for, given these results.

Good luck to you all!

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Jayne (London) on 06/07/2017
 ★★★★★

One application - terrible itching an pain from using a pharmacy cream gone. Feeling comfortable for the first time in days. Such a relief. Tried out of desperation. Amazed by immediate results.

Replied by Doris
(Monticello AR)
07/15/2017
★★★★★

Instant relief was reported from boyfriend who had been using prep h for days.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Madeinyorkshire (Yorkshire) on 02/28/2017
 ★★★★★

I've been a hemorrhoids sufferer for at least 30 years and during that time had banding done on a couple of occasions. That worked for quite a while but recently they have really flared up quite badly. The specialist's opinion was that surgery would be the only thing that would cure me. Not being exactly enthusiastic about that I've desperately being trying to find an alternative and painless remedy.

First of all I started using cayenne pepper in both drink form and also capsules. The drink is quite hideous but I stuck with it and it helped. then I also started taking Rutin. Again that helped but the hemorrhoid's were still there. Finally I started applying Apple Cider Vinegar direct to the hemorrhoids. A previous attempt using undiluted ACV was remembered and this time I used a 50/50 dilution. initially there was a some stinging but it was quite bearable. So, I've been using the above techniques for about 3 weeks and there is a huge improvement and the pain is much less than it used to be.

What I notice is that after a bowel movement the haemorrhoids are still there but they seem to shrink back much quicker and what remains does not hurt.

Every day is an improvement so I definitely intend to keep up with this regime and hopefully my suffering will be either much reduced or even completely ended.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Amber (Washington) on 02/12/2017
 ★★★★★

After month of suffering and using preperation h products I was about to give up and go to the Dr. Which I knew I would not leave there without them cutting me up in the most sensitive area. I saw this site recommended Apple cider vinager. I followed the directions diluted a bit and added prune juice to my diet. And same day results oh my what relief just felt I should share thank you so much for the guidance and literally save my ass.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Rick (Colorado) on 01/04/2017
 ★★★★★

I usually don't get hemorrhoids, but I got this one after having diarrhea. This one really flared up and it hurt so bad I couldn't sleep. I bought some preparation H and applied for 2 days with no affect. I googled natural remedies to help cure hemorrhoids. Apple Cider Vinegar was top choice. Like 10 minutes after applying ACV the pain went from unbearable to moderately painless! I totally stopped using P-H and continued using ACV and the swelling has gone down and I will never waste my money on P-H again!


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