Honey shows early promise as a topical remedy for hemorrhoids, but the evidence is still thin. One pilot study found that a mixture of honey, olive oil, and beeswax applied to the skin was safe and clinically effective for first- through third-degree hemorrhoids, with no side effects reported. That said, this was a small study of just 15 patients, and large-scale trials haven’t been done yet. Honey is unlikely to replace proven treatments, but it may offer mild relief for early-stage symptoms.
What the Research Actually Shows
The most cited study on honey and hemorrhoids was a pilot trial published in The Scientific World Journal. Researchers treated 10 patients with first- to third-degree hemorrhoids using a topical mixture of honey, olive oil, and beeswax in equal parts. The mixture was applied for 12 hours at a time. No patients reported side effects, and the researchers concluded the treatment was safe and clinically effective.
It’s worth being honest about the limitations here. This was a very small, unblinded study with no placebo group for comparison. The honey was also combined with olive oil and beeswax, so it’s impossible to say how much of the benefit came from honey alone versus the moisturizing and barrier effects of the other ingredients. The authors themselves noted that the results simply “pave the way” for proper randomized, double-blind studies. Those larger trials haven’t materialized yet.
Why Honey Might Help
Honey has well-documented properties that make it plausible as a soothing agent for irritated tissue. It naturally draws moisture into the skin, which can help keep the area from drying out and cracking. Its slightly acidic pH and high sugar concentration create an environment that resists bacterial growth, which matters for any area prone to infection. Honey also contains compounds that reduce inflammation and promote tissue repair, properties that have been studied more extensively in wound care than in hemorrhoid treatment specifically.
Medical-grade honey, which has been sterilized and processed under strict quality controls, is already used in clinical settings to help heal burns and diabetic foot wounds. The quality and sterility of medical-grade products are more consistent than what you’d find in a jar from the grocery store, which is an important distinction when you’re applying something to broken or irritated skin.
How It’s Been Applied
In the clinical study, the mixture was made by combining honey, olive oil, and beeswax in a 1:1:1 ratio. This creates a thicker, more ointment-like consistency than honey alone, which makes it easier to apply and helps it stay in place. The mixture was applied topically and left on for about 12 hours.
If you want to try this approach, a few practical points matter. The study used topical application only, meaning on the outside of the body. There’s no research supporting inserting honey internally. Raw honey can cause stinging when applied to sensitive or broken skin, so testing a small amount first is a reasonable step. Some people are allergic to honey or to trace amounts of bee pollen it contains, which can cause irritation rather than relief.
What Honey Won’t Do
Honey is not a substitute for the first-line approaches that reliably manage hemorrhoids. Increasing fiber intake to 25 to 30 grams per day, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding straining during bowel movements address the root causes of most hemorrhoid flare-ups. Sitz baths (sitting in a few inches of warm water for 10 to 15 minutes) reduce swelling and discomfort. Over-the-counter creams containing ingredients like witch hazel or low-dose hydrocortisone target itching and inflammation more directly than honey.
For hemorrhoids that bleed persistently, prolapse outside the body, or cause significant pain, medical procedures are far more effective than any topical remedy. Rubber band ligation, for example, resolves the majority of internal hemorrhoids that don’t respond to lifestyle changes. Honey, at best, belongs in the category of mild, low-risk comfort measures for early-stage symptoms.
Choosing the Right Type of Honey
Not all honey is the same when it comes to skin application. Medical-grade honey has been gamma-irradiated to kill bacterial spores while preserving its beneficial properties. It’s available in tubes and wound dressings at most pharmacies. Regular raw honey from the store retains more of its natural compounds than processed honey does, but it hasn’t been sterilized, and quality varies widely between brands. Heavily processed, clear honey found in squeeze bottles has lost most of its bioactive compounds during filtering and heating, making it the least useful option.
If you’re applying honey to irritated or broken skin near the anal area, medical-grade products carry the lowest risk of introducing unwanted bacteria. Manuka honey, a variety from New Zealand that has been studied more than most in wound healing, is available in both medical-grade and food-grade forms. The medical-grade version is the safer choice for sensitive tissue.