Fact Check: Can a spoon of ghee and black pepper in water cure piles in 10 days?
An Instagram reel claims that a spoon of ghee and black pepper in water cures piles in 10 days. The claim by the user is FALSE.
Claim
In an Instagram reel, it is claimed that a spoon of ghee and black pepper in water cures piles in 10 days. The reel by the user ai.health_explain, is captioned as "ये Secret आपको कोई नहीं बताएगा।" The user says, "99% of the people in the world do not know that if any of your friends is suffering from piles and it is not getting cured, mix a spoonful of ghee with black pepper, dissolve it in water, and make them drink it. This will cure piles in 10 days."
The user's reel has gained significant traction with 20.9 million views, 132,196 likes, 460 comments, and 142,000 shares. You can check it out here.
Fact Check
The claim by the user is FALSE. While ghee and black pepper may aid in managing certain symptoms of piles, no scientific evidence supports the claim that a spoon of ghee and black pepper in water cures piles in 10 days.
What are Piles?
Piles, or hemorrhoids, are swollen and inflamed veins in and around the anus or lower rectum, caused by increased pressure due to straining during bowel movements, chronic constipation, or pregnancy. Complications can include blood clots in external hemorrhoids, leftover skin tags after clots dissolve, infections, strangulation of prolapsed internal hemorrhoids due to restricted blood supply, and anemia from chronic blood loss.
What are the grades of piles?
Hemorrhoids are classified into four grades based on their severity. Grade I hemorrhoids remain inside the rectum but may protrude slightly beyond the dentate line with straining. Grade II hemorrhoids prolapse through the anus during straining but retract spontaneously. Grade III hemorrhoids protrude externally and require manual reduction. Grade IV hemorrhoids remain persistently prolapsed and cannot be pushed back. Surgical intervention is typically necessary for Grade III and IV hemorrhoids due to their severity and persistence.
Can Piles be Cured?
Dr. Vivek Kumar Singh, Consultant Gastroenterologist, Holy Family Hospital Bandra Mumbai explained, "Piles (hemorrhoids) can often be managed effectively through lifestyle changes, dietary adjustments, and medical treatments. Mild cases may resolve with increased fiber intake, hydration, and exercise. For more severe cases, treatments like medication, minimally invasive procedures, or surgery may be required. Consulting a doctor for a personalized approach is essential."
What are the Health Benefits of Black Pepper?
Black pepper (Piper nigrum L.), known as the "King of spices," is not only valued for enhancing flavor but also for its numerous medicinal properties. Rich in bioactive compounds like piperine, it offers antimicrobial, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and hypolipidemic effects. Studies have shown its potential to fight infections and reduce oxidative stress. Black pepper also possesses anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and neuroprotective properties.
What are the nutritional benefits of ghee?
Ghee offers significant nutritional benefits, primarily due to its composition and nutrient profile. Made from milk, cream, or butter through processes that remove almost all water and non-fat solids, ghee is predominantly fat, containing 99.5% fat and less than 0.5% moisture. It serves as a rich source of fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, D, E, and K. These vitamins play crucial roles in supporting vision, bone health, immune function, and blood clotting. Additionally, ghee contains phospholipids, contributing to cellular health and function.
Can a spoon of ghee and black pepper in water cure piles in 10 days?
No, ghee and black pepper in water can cure piles in 10 days. While these ingredients may provide symptom relief, they are not a treatment for piles or hemorrhoids. Further, there is no scientific evidence or medical consensus to back the claim by the user.
Studies investigate the role of ghee in managing piles (hemorrhoids). The findings of the study published in the World Journal of Pharmaceutical and Medical Research suggest that milk and milk products like butter, buttermilk, and ghee may contribute to alleviating symptoms and supporting the management of piles.
Another study conducted by Minhaj Ahmad et. al. found that increased consumption of cow's milk, butter, buttermilk and ghee may help in managing the symptoms of piles (hemorrhoids).
Black pepper is investigated for its therapeutic potential in managing various health conditions. A study published in the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition suggests that black pepper may offer benefits in alleviating symptoms of cough, cold, and piles.
While the ingredients mentioned in the remedy might alleviate mild symptoms associated with hemorrhoids, they cannot cure piles in 10 days. Hemorrhoids are a complex condition that often requires a combination of dietary, lifestyle, and medical interventions and the ingredients mentioned lack the medicinal properties necessary to shrink or "cure" hemorrhoids entirely.
Responding to the claim Dr. Girish SP - Surgical Gastroenterologist, Aster RV Banglore said, "Ghee and black pepper are usual home remedies that can be used when people suffer from cold but ghee acts as a laxative. Laxative is a significant step in the treatment of piles. So, definitely, to some extent it is helpful and the black pepper usually has anti-oxidants, omega-3 fatty which may help in reducing inflammation. So, it is a general remedy, not a specific remedy for piles. So, it will also help to some extent, but in severe piles, none of them is effective. ."
Dr. Vivek Kumar Singh, Consultant Gastroenterologist, Holy Family Hospital Bandra Mumbai further said, "While ghee and black pepper are traditional remedies known for their digestive benefits, there is no scientific evidence to confirm they can cure piles in 10 days. They may help alleviate some symptoms, but addressing piles typically requires a comprehensive approach, including dietary changes, hydration, and medical advice."
Medical Dialogues Final Take
The claim that "a spoon of ghee and black pepper in water can cure piles in 10 days" is FALSE. While ghee and black pepper may provide some relief from the symptoms, there is no scientific evidence or medical consensus that they can "cure" piles (hemorrhoids) in such a short time.
Hence, the user's claim is FALSE.
