Can Portulaca oleracea be used to treat hemorrhoids?

Generally speaking, Portulaca oleracea (purslane) has certain auxiliary effects in relieving hemorrhoids but is unlikely to completely cure them. If abnormalities occur, timely medical consultation is recommended. Detailed analysis is as follows:

If the hemorrhoid symptoms are mild, such as slight swelling, itching, or minor bleeding, purslane may help alleviate symptoms through oral administration or topical application. Purslane is cold in nature and has effects of clearing heat, detoxifying, reducing swelling, and stopping bleeding. Internally, it can be taken as a decoction; externally, fresh purslane can be crushed and applied directly to the affected area or used as a sitz bath. This may help reduce local inflammation, relieve congestion and swelling, and provide certain auxiliary benefits for mild hemorrhoids.

However, during the acute phase of hemorrhoids, when severe pain, significant swelling, heavy bleeding, or infection occurs, purslane cannot effectively control the condition. At this stage, the pathological changes of hemorrhoids are more severe, and relying solely on purslane is insufficient to reduce swelling of the hemorrhoidal nodules or resolve issues such as bleeding and infection. In such cases, treatment with hemorrhoid ointments, suppositories, or other medications is necessary. If required, medical interventions such as surgery should be considered to avoid delaying treatment by relying solely on purslane.

When using purslane to manage hemorrhoids, it is important to first assess the severity of symptoms. Purslane should be used only as an adjunctive method and must not replace standard medical treatment. Patients with spleen and stomach deficiency-cold should use oral purslane cautiously, and topical application should be accompanied by attention to possible allergic reactions on the skin.