[YEA]  Steve from Emmett, Idaho writes: "As an office worker I have suffered from the occasional bout of hemorrhoids. I read in one of my herb books that aloe gel was a good remedy. I like natural remedies so I tried it and it immediately helped relieve the pain and the hemorrhoid healed within a week. It works every time. Apply liberally twice each day. Wash your hands before and after application to avoid infection. What are you waiting for, give it a try, it works! Hemorrhoids can be prevented by improving digestion. Apple Cider Vinegar to the rescue."

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR

[YEA]  05/01/2010: Annielissamommy from Naperville, Il writes: "I was amazed how fast Apple Cider Vinegar cured my hemorrhoids. I was desperate. I had not been able to sleep for a little over 48 hours due to the pain. I was only in slightly less pain standing. I didn't know what to do, where to turn. I had tried a couple "all natural, herbal" remedies with no luck. There was a lot of blood loss. So I tried ACV. I drank 2TBsp in water 3x a day and poured a little on TP and dabbed it on the area when I went to the bathroom. It started to work almost immediately. I only tried it because I was too tired to think, but it really worked. Been a couple weeks and still no roids. This is a first in years. I know it sounds crazy, but try it and you too can be amazed."

[YEA]  12/08/2009: Matt from Tallahassee, Fl replies: "Alright, update! Pain/swelling has definitely continued to go down. Also, just wanted to say that I don't think it matters how you lay down! Just apply the ACV and try to relax as much as possible. After recovery try to eat a healthy diet, including fiber and organic foods - that will keep the stool soft and reduce the need to strain because of constipation =)!"

[YEA]  12/13/2009: Jan from Brooklyn, Ny replies: "I just tried the apple cider vinegar. Although it stings at first, after 1 minute of application, I feel amazingly relieved. It's working so far..."

[YEA]  12/30/2009: Cindy from West Palm Beach, Florida replies: "I was considering making a doctor's appointment for my hemorrhoids, which had been very uncomfortable for several months. Before making that call, I decided to check the internet for a natural remedy. I am grateful I found this site and tried apple cider vinegar. That was 4 days ago. The pain and itching are gone and the hemorrhoids have decreased 50% in size.

Suggestion - If the apple cider vinegar stings, try applying an ice compress to the area for about 5 minutes before the apple cider vinegar. This numbs the area, helps with swelling and takes away the sting."

[YEA]  01/22/2010: Richard from Canandaigua, Ny replies: "Apple cider vinegar absolutely worked, I usually take a bath in hottest water I could stand then dry and use ACV twice a day.Thanks everyone for sharing your remedies!"

01/30/2010: Clela from Columbia, Tn replies: "Actually tried ACV after being reminded that it was generally healthy for you. After the 1st day I realized that my hemorrhoids were better. I mean that I was taking 2 tbs with water in the morning and before bed and added 2 tbs to large bottle of water and sipping during the day by mouth. Haven't tried applying directly. They were markedly better with just drinking the ACV. I am sure more good things are happening but this one really surprised me. I should have realized just how much my body was craving it when it tasted so good."

[YEA]  05/09/2010: C from Waterford, Mi replies: "I have had constipation, hemorrhoids, all kinds of nasty digestion issues since I had my appendix removed over 15 yrs ago. I've tried everything and I mean everything.. Here's what I've discovered in my research (thanks EarthClinic) Rutin and Vitamin B6: this is needed if you have weak vascular walls.. I tried this and have little success because weak veins wasn't my issue. My issue was my stool, was so hard and large due to too much fiber/water and not enough good bacteria in my colon.. so even though I knew this I couldn't fix it until I tried ACV Coconut Oil, but let me say this ACV didn't work by itself.

In fact, It wasn't until I used Ted's Remedy which increases the PH to alkaline levels that I had true success and I mean wow! I took 8oz of water mixed in 1/4 tsp of baking soda, and 2 tablespoons of ACV and took 1 teaspoon of Coconut oil.. and I fell asleep..

Now just to explain to you the situation I was in.. I had just went and I was hurting bad.. I couldn't move but barely hobble and still had some feces that was like clay and couldn't come out.. it really sucked.

But, after I woke up I ate some food and a couple hours later I had to go to the bathroom.. and when I went oh man it was amazing.. it was soft and virtually struggle free.. I prayed that the Lord show me an answer and He did!

I'm going to keep taking this to cleanse me out.. also a lot of you should read the book, Fiber Menace it explains the effects of fiber on the colon.. you need to repopulate your bacteria, get rid of the bad, strengthen your veins, and take ACV Coconut Oil it really works.

Chris"

05/09/2010: Gabrielle from Brighton, Ontario, Canada replies: "Go to a chinese herbal store and buy "Fargelin for Piles" it works very well and is very inexpensive"

EC: Here are some google images of Fargelin from various manufacturers for those interested...

05/10/2010: Francisca from Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France replies: "Just a warning about Chinese herbal shops. I have no idea about the quality in the US but in Britain some people have had serious health problems after buying herbs in these stores. A lady had to have a kidney transplant. I used their medicine (Cordyceps) for my allergies and they worked wonderfully but now I am afraid to go back. I am only saying this so that you check well what you are taking."

[BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS]  10/19/2009: Gina from Bangor, Maine writes: "I used a solution of 1/2 ACV and 1/2 water to wash my hemorrhoid after going to the bathroom. It worked to reduce swelling within 3 trips to the bathroom. I decided ... some was good, more would be better. I put solution on a cotton ball and left there all night-MISTAKE! It burned the sensitive skin so bad the skin sloughed off causing immense pain. Please remember, MORE IS NOT BETTER!"

[BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS]  06/28/2010: Rjni from Portland, Or replies: "Thanks for the side effect note, I too thought more is better and soaked a cotton ball and let it sit there most of the night, next thing I know the muscle that was swollen is back inside but the skin has peeled, I was horrified after seeing that, thanks for your insight, I feel better knowing that it was the AVC that caused it"

[YEA]  10/02/2009: Carla from Omaha, Ne writes: "OMG! acv worked. i was so skeptical cause i tried everything for my hemrroids. prepation h, tucks pads, hydrocortizone cream and suppository they relived the pain but did not shrink them. used a cotton ball soaked in acv twice and it has gone done.. it did sting a tad but not at all like i thought it would. i can sit at my computer and on the toliet to pee without them throbbing or hurting. have not took a poop yet so wish me luck!! thanks for this great website."

[YEA]  09/05/2009: Mehru from Portland, Or writes: "I did get a pretty painful hemorrhoid again and read here that apple cider vinegar applied on a cottonball helps. I kind of doubted it but tried it out and it calmed it down immediately. The swelling and the pain is gone after the first application!"

[YEA]  08/27/2009: Caroline from Leeds, England, Uk writes: "My boyfriend is an avid reader of this site and has long been waving the flag for the qualities and health benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar. Having read the section on Hemorrhoids and the amounts of Yea re: ACV. I cynically gave it a try. Dosing a piece of cotton wool and holding on the affected area for about 30 seconds morning and night, it did the trick. I cannot believe it! After a week and a half of applying the ACV it dramatically reduced the size of the protruding offender (which I may add was the size of a very large grape :-(. To the point it has disappeared! I am very impressed and would definitely recommend anyone to do the same, it certainly had a greater impact than the prescribed cream from my doctor. Thank you for your advice"

[NAY]  06/15/2009: Lee from A Nice Place, Florida writes: "I read on this site that apple cider vinager was helpful for Hemorrhoids so I tried it. It only made my situation worse it burned and swelled. I will never try that again!!"

07/24/2009: Emilu from LA, CA USA replies: "Oh my god, she was saying to help with digestion by drinking apple cider vinegar, NOT APPLYING IT TO YOUR HEMROIDS!!!"

12/18/2009: Eva from Op, Ks replies: "Emily - they are talking about applying to hemorrhoids. Works for some people."

[YEA]  06/11/2009: Olivia from Brooklyn, New York writes: "ACV Shrunk My Hemorrhoid:

I have been trying the apple cider vinegar for my very large protruding, bleeding hemorrhoid. Thank God it has shrunk considerably in two days. I have placed raw acv on a cotton square and hold the protrusion within the folded cotton pad (the protrusion is long in size). I did this three times already and the bleeding stopped with the first application. It was a bruise, (from the protrusion rubbing against my underwear) not pouring blood as in some cases I read. I then inserted some coconut oil and pushed it back with my finger. It was out again this morning but I repeated the same procedure. The hemorrhoid was definitely smaller and no blood came off on the cotton bud. I just did it again and am very pleased with the progress. I think if it keeps shrinking in this manner it will be very tiny within a week. I have had this hemorrhoid since I was fifteen and I am now fifty four. I was thinking of surgery but was fearful because I have been told recovery is extremely painful. I am so thankful for those of you who take the time to let us know what works and what does not work for you."

[NAY]  06/12/2009: Linda from Erlanger, Ky replies: "Hello, I would like to tell you that I once read on this site that ACV would help ease the pain and swelling of hemmorhoids, so I tried it. Well boy was I sorry I did! It burned and stung like nothing else! It made my condition worse! So this may work for some, but it sure didnt work for me."

[WARNING!]  09/10/2009: Mountaingirl from Asheville, Nc replies: "I agree. I take ACV orally and tried it topically for hemmorhoid type problem. It was the worst thing I could ever have done. Intense burning and swelling caused a normally 3 day issue into an extreme 1 week issue in which sitting was almost impossible. If anyone tries this, I would be very careful and wash the ACV off with any sign of uncomfortable burn."

[YEA]  04/30/2009: Driton from Prishtina, Kosovo writes: "Hi to all patients that are suffering from hemorroids. I am writing from Kosovo and I would like to comment on this issue as I have tried ACV and I feel like I was born second time. I used ACV while having my meal sallats and you just cannot believe how fast and good it removed my hemorroids.

I recomend to all of you that suffer from hemoroids to use ACV as much as possible while eating lunch or dinner.

IT HAS WORKED AND ALMOST CURED MY HEMORROIDS, I FEEL GREAT I CAN EAT, CAN SIT, WALK, RUN, SING, AND SO ON. IT IS LIKE A MIRACLE, I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS AND MOST OF ALL INTERNET THAT MADE THIS POSSIBLE TO SHARE COMMENTS AND LIFE EXPERIENCES.

USE ACV AND YOU WILL SEE THAT VERY SOON THE SMILE WILL COME BACK TO YOUR FACE !! I GARANTE THAT. AGAIN THANKS A LOT FROM EARTHCLINIC.COM WEB SITE THAT THIS POSSIBLE AND MADE POSSIBLE TI CURE MY HEMORROIDS. BYE BYE ...... DRITON."

[YEA]  04/10/2009: Mike Smith from Christchurch, New Zealand writes: "I had one enlarged haemorrhoid so I tried Apple Cider Vinegar - I applied it both topically and orally. In the morning I put a teaspoon of Apple Cider Vinegar in a glass with a teaspoon of honey as it can taste a bit tarty - I then stirred until the honey had mixed in well and then added water and drank with my breakfast. Afterwards I put some Apple Cider Vinegar on some cotton wool and swabbed my haemorrhoid. I did this process both in the morning & at night.

After about 4 weeks now my haemorrhoid has slowly shrunk - before I tried this it didn't seem to want to go away however after using Apple Cider Vinegar it has slowly shrunk and now its no more - it also seems to help me with my digestion so I will probably have a glass each day now with my meal at night.

One thing to remember with haemorrhoids is to make sure you DO NOT strain in the toilet as this can cause haemorrhoids and make them worse. Best to eat some fibre including fruit & veges in your diet to as this will help against constipation. Just remember that when you are in the toilet to let it pass easily, lean over a little with ya elbows on top of your knees if need be."

[YEA]  04/03/2009: Marie from Portland, Maine writes: "I was contemplating surgery for the past few days. I have had hemmorrhoids for over 20 years and they were always a nuisance, but over the past year they have been getting very bad. This week was agony. I have plowed through a box of Preparation H and it wasn't helping in the least. I found this site and happened to have ACV in the pantry and thought I'd give it a shot.

I have applied it 3x so far today...and it's like a miracle. For days I was near tears with pain and absolute discomfort and suddenly, I am OK! I can sit, I can stand I can walk around without feeling like there is a knife inside me. Thank GOD for the internet!

I will continue to apply this (I just wet a cotton ball with regular old ACV...not organic or anything special) and left it in place for a couple minutes. It did sting a little...but heck, that was nothing compared to the stabbing pain I was having. The sting actually felt good in a strange way...

After the second application (which was about 90- minutes after the first) I felt some relief. I then applied it a third time and now here I can sit, at my computer to tell you how wonderful I feel.

And to think I was about to allow myself to have SURGERY! Why don't doctors ever give you any homeopathic remedies to try????? I urge anyone who is suffering to try this. How wonderful that something so simple could work so well. Thank you all for posting your experiences and helping out so many people!"

[YEA]  12/20/2009: In Pain from Trinidad, Trinidad And Tobago replies: "i have been getting hemmorhoids just after my last child and the pain is the worst. i tried amost everything. i cant take the pain anymore. sometimes it bleeds i tried the apple cider vinger, i also sat over a bowl of hot water withe the acv in it and i felt good for now. thank you for posting your thoughts, it really helped."

12/22/2009: Joyce from Joelton, Tn replies: "Hello in Pain from Trinidad and Tabago,

Have you tried an ice application (can be done with ice in freezer bag)? This works better than heat applications.

There used to be a A&D suppository on the market which was very effective, but when I started having the problem again I found that they had been removed from the market. You could probably get the same relief from a tube of A&D ointment (This is an ointment containing Vitamins A & D which is the same vitamins in the suppository).

Something else found helpful in shrinking them & stopping the itching is to dissolve 1/8 to 1/4 tsp. of epsom salts in 2-3 ounces of warm water and inject it slightly inside the anus and maintain as long as possible. Injection can be achieved with small ear syringe, your turkey baster or anything similar you might find in your home.

Another thing you will probably find helpful is to increase fiber in your diet (easily done with switching to whole grain cereals & breads & eating more good old dark leafy greens like turnip greens, collards, kale,etc) to get rid of the constipation problem which causes a lot of hemorrhoids to begin with.

If the above doesn't do the trick, type "potassium iodide" in a search window and pull up Tahoma Clinic reference for article on SSKI written by alternative physician Jonathan Wright. You can print it out for handy reference for future use. For hemorrhoids he says to use 20 drops/1 ounce of flaxseed oil & apply nightly to make them disappear almost overnight. I didn't have any flaxseed oil, so those drops went into l ounce of castor oil, which worked fine.

For those of you who are still troubled with HOT FLASHES, flaxseed oil is said to be a good replacement for female hormones, and if you buy them whole, you can grind them (coffee grinders, anyone?) as you need them and put them in your whole grain cookie or muffin recipes. Flaxseed oil goes rancid quickly even when refrigerated, and it then is called linseed oil and great for polishing and protecting your wood furniture."

[YEA]  01/07/2009: Luke from Springville, UT, U.S. writes: "Apple cider vinegar works, how much I'm not sure. I've used alcohol and Hydrogen peroxide and the alcohol only helped a little, while the ACV works pretty good. I've only used it for a few days, and the itching is almost completely gone. The bleeding has slowed a little, and the hemorrhoids are still there. I would rate the ACV at 8-9 compared to what I have already tried. Thanks for your help."

[YEA]  12/17/2008: Beth from Durham, NC writes: "I've not used ACV topically but found out accidentally that drinking ACV cures even bleeding, protruded, unrelenting hemorrhoids. I suffered with all of the above for 3 months (not aware of any precipitating cause) when my dogs became infested with fleas. ACV was recommended as an effective topical remedy for flea bites so I dug out my bottle of organic unfiltered ACV from the back of the fridge, which I'd originally bought to help digestion and stabilize blood sugar (works great for both). While I had it out I drank a shot and within the hour my pain was gone. I googled ACV and hemorrhoids and realized that it was an effective natural remedy for that as well as fleas. I don't know why drinking it works but it works amazingly. The only problem is if I skip it for even half a day the twinges return, so I'll probably have to be on it 3 times daily for life. Worth it, though!"

11/23/2008: Young from Los Angeles, CA USA writes: "I have had hemmorhoids ( for most of us, a byproduct of constipational IBS) for quite some time. To the point where blood was streaming from my rectum like a cow being milked. I had banding surgery, two years later, a new one came back.

The funny thing is that I only bleed every now and then (once every 1 to 3 weeks - in 1 to 3 day periods), but when i do bleed, the blood streams out, or drips heavily like crazy. ( I would guesstimate about 2-3 cups of blood at a time )

I went back to the same surgeon who recommended stapling or a hemarrhoidectomy. The banding was very painful, and I was told these next options would be no better if not worse. Also, a big chance of incontinence in the future ( for me...this would be more of a nightmare than IBS )

I thought, " Man...i do not want to risk being incontinent because of surgery...hell no...forget that"
I began desperately scouring the Net in search of help...an alternative. Thats how I found this site and the ACV / Hemmorhoid topic. Today is my first day, one application of ACV so far...wish me luck...

**On a side note however, I wanted to share how I actually feel very blessed to have this hemmarhoid, because the only time I ever bleed is when I am experiencing Deep Fear or Stress. Its like I have this barometer that lets me know that I am not Thinking right, Living right, or my Spirit and Faith is not in alignment with God, my higher power. And as soon as I shift my perspective, or as soon as the adversity goes away...I immediately stop bleeding. Right away. Just like that!

Can anybody else look back and see if this applies to them?? Did some stressful event occur in your life and all of a sudden a Hemarrhoid started bleeding or caused you severe pain?? but once you handled the stressful problem,... the Hemmorhoid went away?

Good luck everyone! and Dont worry...be Happy : )"

03/31/2009: Frank from Spain, Valencia replies: "Thank you, I've started using the apple cider vinegar today. I felt related to what you mentioned, for me also stress events, deep anguish or tension also create a lot of problems. It seems that is deep and hence hard to control, so yes, It reminds me of God, is like my own body seems that i made somewhere a commitement to remember a higher power. For me it's been a year but a few months of weird constipation, itching and pain and my stools are somehow flat sometimes, this worries me lately, i'm going to get myself checked, but I agree that is a very emotional related issue. Thank you for your words and yes, don't worry be happy, worry would make it worse.
thank you"

04/14/2009: Anna from Philadelphia, PA replies: "Bleeding (any kind, but mostly menstrual which comes with stress even after a week or when I'm nursing) in my case is also very much correlated with stress! Great to know that I'm not alone in that!"

[YEA]  11/10/2008: Ann from Austin, Texas writes: "Painful Hemorrhoids - apply to a cotton ball Apple Cider Vinegar and then after use honey or better yet raw local honey before going to bed. You might want to put on a pad between you and your underwear or kleenex - tissue paper over night. It really helps with the swelling and the pain."

10/23/2008: Jerry from Albany, New York writes: "Hello, My name is Jerry 62yrs. old and have had my hemorrhoids for probably 15yrs and I think I got them by eating hot chicken wings and lots of horseradish on everything.. Hemorrhoids come out when going to the bathroom or running and or walking.. My father had the same and had them corrected back in 1955 with a frozen type of injection.. My Dr. tells me that procedure is no longer available. Instead. go buy witchazel wipes and to start applying after every movement..However, reading your successful remedy of applying Apple cider vinegar gives me even more hope that it will cure them.. My hemorrhoids do not bleed, itch or burn....They just protrude when I am active, playing basketball, golf, tennis or walking long distances..

Should I use both remedies of : ACV and Witchazel or just one..Please advise me of your thoughts..
(ps) is the acv a white or red vinegar..??? thank you for your time and consideration..
Jerry/Albany NY..."

10/24/2008: Alain from Ottawa, Canada replies: "Hi Jerry:

Look at this post for info about ACV
http://www.earthclinic.com/Remedies/acvinegar.html

Apple Cider Vinegar is neither the red or white vinegar. These are filtered vinegar. ACV should be pale yellow/orange. You should try to get if possible the kind that says raw, unfiltered, organic Apple Cider Vinegar with the mother.

Good Luck"

[YEA]  10/18/2008: Ola from Oslo, Norway writes: "Suddenly, two large hemorrhoids appeared, probably from straining on the toilet. I'm in my mid twenties and this is my first time with this problem. Needless to say it was pretty painful. Sitting, standing, working, sleeping, everything was hard and painful. After two days the problem was only getting worse, so I started researching my problem on the Internet. I stumbled upon this great site and your tip of using apple cider vinegar as a remedy.

I bought a bottle of the stuff at the local super market and started applying it 2-3 times a day (every morning and before going to bed). For application I used cotton pads, soaking it well just short of dripping. I cleansed the area using perfume free baby vipes, especially if I was applying ACV after going to the toilet.

Applying it was somewhat painful at first, but it dulled down the pain of the hemorrhoids about 30 minutes after application, making it well worth the inital added discomfort. After just 2-3 days the pain was pretty much gone during the day. The size of the hemorrhoids decreased gradually. Now, only a little over two weeks since I started applying ACV, one of them is completely gone. The other one is just a sore spot (not a blob like it used to be). I have no pains at all, even when applying ACV. I'll probably stop using ACV now, to see whether the last remnants will disappear easier on its own.

Thanks to all who submitted their experiences, and thanks to Earth Clinic for making this great site! This has saved me and many others from an embarrassing, potentially expensive, painful and less effective visit to the doctor!"

[YEA]  06/27/2008: Julie from Clementon, New Jersey writes: "I researched your website and gave the cotton ball dipped in apple cider vinegar a try. I felt some instant relief. I did not experience any burning. Within three days I felt 80% better and by the fifth day my hemorrhoid was much smaller in size and I had no pain whatsoever (or itching). I am very happy to report that it works! I used the cotton ball technique 2-3 times a day for five days. I hope this will help others."

[YEA]  02/02/2008: D. Blickman from San Diego, California writes: "Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for the incredibly simple apple cider vinegar for hemmeroids.

I could barely bring myself to try it for fear of extreme pain on a huge (and I do mean huge) long hemmeroid.

Trying Prep H and others for small hemmeroids I thought it would work...not this time. The pain was all the way up in my spine and there was some bleeding. I was hoping it would break and be done with it, but no such luck.

I finally got up the nerve to try the vinegar. First I put it on some scratches that I got from cutting trees in my yard. It didn't burn. I tried putting it on my face a few hours after shaving....still no pain. I said to myself, what the heck...the worst thing I will have to do is go into the shower and get it off quickly.

I took some of the advice and put petroleum jelly on both sides of the hemmeroid. Then with a piece of cotton I soaked it in the ACV. Held my breath and then I put it on. NO PAIN whatsoever!!!!! Just cooling type of feeling.
Within a few minutes, I noticed the pain totally disappear. I was able to work on my house for the past two hours with no problem.

It is still swollen, but not to have the horrible, horrible pain I feel like a new person.
I will continue to use it for the next day or even week. If it all shrinks down and there are no side or after effects, you will not hear from me again.

If anything occurs that is out of the ordinary I promise to help others as you have helped me and let you know everything.

By the way, there is no bleeding either.

God bless you all and for this site. I thought I was going to have to get pain killers or go to the hospital. Whew! Thanks so much again. I am so happy."

[YEA]  07/04/2007: Shane from Las Vegas, NV writes: "I've tried everything and couldn't believe how quickly the pain and discomfort was relieved after applying full strength apple cider vinegar! I was a little hesitant because I was afraid it would burn, but it didn't at all and the discomfort was gone immediately."

[YEA]  05/12/2007: Dawn from Lebanon, INDIANA writes: "I have been suffering from partial bowel obstruction from adhesions due to a liposuction that went bad back in the 90's. I have suffered from severe pain, nausea and hemerroids due to the inability to fully cleanse myself out because of the blockage. This has been on going for the past 5 years. I would have an "episode" at least once a week, sometimes 2 and 3 times a week. The pain was unbearable and would literally take my breath away. Since I started taking one shot of ACV daily I have yet to have an "episode". I now have the best movements in years! I am completely amazed! Also, I suffer or should I say used to suffer from arthritis in my hips. I have absolutely no pain at all now and I know it is from the ACV because I haven't done anything else to remedy. I wish someone would have told me about this a long time ago. It is the simpliest thing in the world to do and it is all natural! God Bless Apple Cider Vinegar! If you haven't tried it, YOU SHOULD! Also, my complexion is glowing!"

06/27/2008: Carol from Clairmont, AB, Canada replies: "I wish to know if you were drinking the acv, Everyone else seems to be applying it to the infected areas."

06/28/2008: Joyce from Joelton, Tn replies: "Hi Carol from Clairmont, ACVinegar is safe and works both internal & external application. My answer would definitely be: If you have one impetigo lesion (sore) use only on that one lesion; however, if it's accompanied by a sore throat, I would still use it externally on the one lesion, but I would also be drinking it for the sore throat."

07/10/2010: Dezi from San Jose, Ca replies: "As an alternative to ACV, I have always used witch hazel distillate water. It's very gentle, and you can't use too much of it. I actually use witch hazel as a toner on my face! Put a portion of witch hazel in the refrigerator. Soak a cotton ball or pad with the cold witch hazel and apply to the hemorrhoids. It shrinks them immediately. I'm a holistic health educator, and so I'm always looking for great remedies. This one is so simple, gentle, effective. Beware: witch hazels in the drug store may have alcohol in them. Be sure to buy one that does NOT contain alcohol. Witch hazel distillate water is best."

    

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