Every other person will probably suffer from piles (haemorrhoids) at some point in their lives.

Piles are dilated veins just inside the back passage. They are harmless in themselves mostly you don't get any symptoms, but sometimes they can cause irritation and soreness around the back passage.

Most common in middle age, some of the common causes are stress (particularly if you are a business executive!), long-standing constipation and straining, bad dietary habits, excessive alcohol intake and vigorous physical activity.

Women of child-bearing age can get them from pregnancy and childbirth.

Sometimes haemorrhoids are caused by colitis. Or, if they develop at an older age, they can be signs of tumours in the bowel.

Sometimes piles will cause bleeding, usually fresh bright red blood and a lot of it. They can cause pain and discomfort when they are big and prolapse out. Constant persistent irritation and soreness on the outer skin around the back passage is usually caused by a mucus discharge from the piles, but can occasionally suggest colitis or Crohn's disease if other symptoms are present.

A natural and holistic approach would be as follows:

1.Relieve stress by using various techniques such as deep relaxation breathing, meditation and relaxing yoga postures.

2.Eat a lot of boiled spinach, cabbage and greens. The cellulose and fibre in these help to heal the bowel and absorb irritant mucus in the back passage.

3.Avoid hot spicy stuff, irritant foods, tea, coffee, alcohol, angry bouts and vigorous straining, lifting or sport.

4.Ispagulla husk and Trifala herbal mixture are the Ayurvedic high fibre and gentle laxative which are very effective in regulating the bowel and curing piles.

5.Witch hazel and arnica ointments have been found to be very effective in reducing the discomfort from piles. Apply a paste of turmeric powder in milk one level teaspoon of turmeric powder in two or three teaspoons of milk.

6.Applying pure aloe vera gel or drinking aloe vera juice is also helpful.

7.Mild digestive herbs such as fennel, coriander, mint, fresh ginger and aniseed help indirectly by improving digestion. Buttermilk made by blending sweet yoghurt with equal amount of water taken daily is helpful. Consult your doctor for persistent piles.