Evidence supporting the use of: Coconut oil
For the health condition: Hemorrhoids
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Coconut oil has been traditionally used as a home remedy for hemorrhoids, particularly for its soothing and moisturizing properties. Folk medicine in various tropical regions has long recommended topical coconut oil for skin irritation, minor wounds, and inflammatory conditions, including hemorrhoids. The rationale is that coconut oil's medium-chain fatty acids, especially lauric acid, possess mild anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects, which may help reduce irritation and prevent infection when applied externally to hemorrhoidal tissue.
However, robust scientific studies specifically evaluating coconut oil's efficacy for hemorrhoids are lacking. The evidence supporting its use comes mostly from anecdotal reports and extrapolation from studies on its effects on other skin conditions. Some laboratory and animal studies suggest coconut oil may reduce inflammation and promote wound healing, but these findings have not been directly validated in the context of hemorrhoid treatment in humans.
In summary, while coconut oil is widely used and recommended in traditional and home settings for symptomatic relief of hemorrhoids, scientific validation is minimal, and its benefits remain largely unproven beyond mild soothing and moisturizing effects.
Other ingredients used for Hemorrhoids
AbrusAcacia
Achyranthes
Aconite
Aerva lanata
Aescin
Agrimonia pilosa
Agrimony
Ajuga
Alchemilla
Allicin
Allium tuberosum
Aloe vera
American Liverleaf
Amor seco
Angelica
anthocyanidins
anthraquinone
Antirrhinum majus
antler
apple
apple cider vinegar
apricot
Ardisia
aster root
avens
bael
Baliospermum
banyan
Barleria
Bassia scoparia
bayleaf
Bergenia
betel
bilberry
bioflavonoids
birch
Black Hellebore
black nightshade
black root
blackberry
blackboard tree
Blepharis
Borassus aethiopum
borassus palm
bran
Brassica
butcher's broom
cabbage
cactus
Caesalpinia crista
capsicum
Carthamus
castor oil
Celosia
chamomile
chard
chestnut
Chinese silkvine
Chondrus
cinquefoil
citrus bioflavonoids
Clerodendrum indicum
coconut oil
colocynth
commiphora
Cucurbita
Cyathula
Cynodon dactylon
dandelion
Dianthus
Diosmin
elephant\'s head
Embelia
escin
fiber
fiber blend (proprietary)
Ficus simplicissima
geranium
gotu kola
green chiretta
hazelnut
horse chestnut
Indian coraltree
Kokilaksha
labrador tea
lemon
lichen
licorice root
little ironweed
Lycopodium
Methylcellulose
Mezoneuron benthamianum
Morinda
Morning glory
Morus
Mountain Pepper
Mucilage
Myrrh
Nettle
Nimbidin
Nymphaea nouchali
Oak
Oligomeric proanthocyanidins
Onosma bracteatum
oregon grape
Oroxylum indicum
pagoda tree
Papayotin
parsley
paw paw
Pentacyclic triterpenoids
peony
Persimmon
phellodendron amurense
Pluchea
plum fruit
Polygonum
Portulaca
proanthocyanidins
prune
Prunus
psyllium
punarnava
rhubarb
Rosa laevigata
Rosabin
Rubia cordifolia
Ruscogenins
Ruscus
rutin
Rutosides
Sanguisorba
Sarivan
sea salt
seaweed
Shark Liver Oil
shepherd's purse
slippery elm bark
Sumac
Sword Bean
Szechuan lovage
Tamarind
Tannins
Taraxacin
Terminalia
Triphala
Troxerutin
turmeric
Varuna
vitamin C
Wax Gourd
Winter Begonia
Witch Hazel
Yellow Dock
Zinc
Zucchini
Other health conditions supported by coconut oil
Antibiotics (alternatives to)Athlete's Foot
Backache
Burns and Scalds
Cancer (prevention)
Colds (general)
Constipation (adults)
Cuts
Dandruff
Dermatitis
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Energy (lack of)
Fat Metabolism (poor)
Fungal Infections
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Hair (loss or thinning)
Hemorrhoids
Herpes
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Inflammation
Influenza
Itching
