Fact Check: Can saunf, tulsi, laung, elaichi, and gud drink cure piles in a week?

An Instagram reel claims that saunf, tulsi leaves, laung, elaichi and gud drink cures piles in a week. The claim is FALSE.

Claim

In an Instagram reel it is claimed that saunf, tulsi leaves, laung, elaichi and gud drink cures piles in a week. In the reel by ai.health_knowledge, it is said, "The thing that even surgery couldn't fix, this ₹2 drink cured completely from the root within a week. If someone in your household, family or among your relatives has bawasir (piles) and it is not getting better, then definitely try this remedy. For this, take one cup of water in a pan and add one teaspoon of fennel seeds, a few tulsi (basil) leaves, four to five cloves, two cardamom pods and a piece of jaggery; boil it well for 10 minutes, then strain it and drink it every morning on an empty stomach. This will cure even the most stubborn piles within a week. This is a very effective remedy. It will work 100%."

The reel can be accessed here.

Fact Check

The claim in the reel is False. There is no scientific evidence or medical consensus to back the claim by user.

What are Piles?

Piles, also known as hemorrhoids, are swollen, inflamed veins located in the anus or lower rectum. They typically develop due to increased pressure from straining during bowel movements, persistent constipation, or pregnancy. Complications may include clot formation within external hemorrhoids, residual skin tags after clot resolution, infections, strangulation of prolapsed internal hemorrhoids when blood supply is cut off, and anemia caused by ongoing blood loss.

What are the grades of piles?

Hemorrhoids are classified into four grades depending on their severity:

• Grade I: These remain inside the rectum but may slightly protrude beyond the dentate line during straining.
• Grade II: These prolapse through the anus while straining but retract on their own afterward.
• Grade III: These extend outside the anus and require manual repositioning.
• Grade IV: These remain permanently prolapsed and cannot be pushed back in.

Surgical or procedural intervention is generally recommended for Grade III and Grade IV hemorrhoids, as they tend to be more severe and persistent.

What are the Health Benefits of saunf, tulsi leaves, laung, elaichi and gud?

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), popularly called Saunf in Hindi, belongs to the Apiaceae family and is widely valued for its medicinal and nutritional properties. Its seeds are particularly rich in fiber, making up nearly 50% of their content. Fennel demonstrates a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities, including anti-allergic, analgesic (pain-relieving), anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-stress, and cytotoxic effects.

Tulsi, also known as holy basil, is a revered medicinal herb in Ayurveda and Siddha traditions. Research highlights its wide range of health benefits, including adaptogenic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, and immune-boosting properties. Studies suggest that Tulsi leaves may help manage diabetes, metabolic disorders, cardiovascular conditions, stress, and cognitive health.

Clove also known as Laung, a spice native to Indonesia and now cultivated in regions such as Brazil, has long been prized for its role in flavoring, food preservation, and traditional medicine. It is particularly abundant in bioactive phenolic compounds—including eugenol, eugenol acetate, and gallic acid—which contribute to its wide application in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food, and agricultural industries. Research indicates that clove possesses antioxidant and antimicrobial activities that surpass those of many fruits, vegetables, and other commonly used spices.

Cardamom also elaichi, often referred to as the “queen of spices,” is a highly aromatic spice native to the Western Ghats of South India. With its distinct sweet, mint-like flavor, it has been treasured in traditional medicine for centuries, largely due to its strong antioxidant and therapeutic effects. The seeds, essential oils, and extracts of cardamom are widely recognized for their medicinal value. Nutritionally, cardamom is a rich source of potassium, calcium, and magnesium, minerals that contribute to heart health and blood pressure regulation. Its diuretic properties assist in detoxification and help minimize fluid retention. Beyond this, cardamom freshens breath, alleviates asthma by clearing the respiratory tract, reduces muscle and joint discomfort through its anti-inflammatory action, supports healthy digestion, and offers relief from nausea.

Jaggery (Gud) is a traditional natural sweetener made by concentrating the juice of sugarcane or palm. Unlike refined sugar, it retains a variety of essential minerals, including iron, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus. Thanks to its distinct flavor and aroma, jaggery serves as a base ingredient in many sweet preparations around the world. Beyond its culinary uses, jaggery offers several health benefits. It can aid digestion, help ease constipation, and provide a quick source of energy, making it both a flavorful and functional food.

Can saunf, tulsi leaves, laung, elaichi and gud drink cure piles in a week?

There is no scientific evidence that a mixture of fennel (saunf), tulsi (holy basil), clove (laung), cardamom (elaichi) and jaggery (gud) can cure piles (hemorrhoids) in just one week. Although fennel (saunf), tulsi leaves, clove (laung), and cardamom (elaichi) contain anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce inflammation, they cannot shrink hemorrhoidal veins or cure piles within a week.

In an article published by Dr. Shaikh Mohd Naeem Rafiuddin et. al., it was highlighted that piles are strongly linked to diet, lifestyle, and medical care. Adopting a fiber-rich diet, proper hydration, and regular physical activity can effectively control mild cases, whereas more severe stages often necessitate medical treatments such as rubber band ligation or sclerotherapy. Of the available options, minimally invasive techniques are generally more effective and preferred, while surgery is usually reserved for the most advanced cases.

Fennel seeds are known for their health-promoting qualities, and according to Shamkant B. Badgujar et. al., they exhibit significant anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial effects.

Tulsi is valued for its medicinal properties, and according to Lopamudra Sethi et. al., it demonstrates notable antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects.

Clove is highly valued for its medicinal potential, and according to Diego Francisco Cortés-Rojas et. al., it possesses strong antioxidant and antimicrobial activities.

Cardamom is recognized for its therapeutic value, and according to K. Bhavani et. al., it exerts notable benefits through its anti-inflammatory action.

Saunf, tulsi leaves, Laung), and Elaichi possess certain anti-inflammatory properties, but they cannot cure piles within a week.

Dr. Sanoop Koshy Zachariah, Senior Consultant and Professor, Department of General and Minimally Invasive Surgery , KIMSHEALTH Trivandrum in a conversation with The Medical Dialogues Fact Check Team said, "No, saunf (fennel seeds), tulsi (holy basil) leaves, and elaichi (cardamom) with gud (jaggery) cannot cure piles (hemorrhoids) within a week. Piles are swollen veins in the rectum or anus, usually caused by chronic constipation, straining, or other factors. They do not disappear simply with home remedies in such a short time. Saunf, tulsi, and elaichi with gud may aid digestion, reduce bloating, and mildly ease constipation, which can help relieve some symptoms like burning or discomfort. The patient may feel symptomatically better, but these remedies do not shrink or eliminate hemorrhoids. A proper medical evaluation is necessary, especially to rule out other possible causes, including cancer."

Dr. Manish Dodmani, Consultant, Medical Gastroenterology, KIMS Hospitals, Thane further added, "Many people are under the impression that some natural ingredients, like saunf (fennel), tulsi leaves, laung (clove), elaichi (cardamom), and gud (jaggery), will help you cure piles within a week. While some of these or a combination of these natural ingredients may provide some relief, there is not enough time to fully cure a condition like piles. Natural ingredients can help digestion, relieve inflammation, and relieve constipation. It's true that piles can bring some degree of discomfort or pain, and any of the natural ingredients discussed can be of some assistance. Fennel and cardamom help the stomach in digestion; tulsi and clove have soothing elements, and jaggery in moderation can help soften stool. Certainly these ingredients may help to make a bowel movement more pleasant and less straining; but the bulk of issues with piles is typically from long-standing causes including constipation or long periods of sitting. Long-standing lifestyle changes take time and share in prevention and healing of piles, but overall any help or assistance is a net positive to improving comfort. Natural ingredients are helpful in the healing process, and certainly help digestion and comfort. If you want to experience lasting relief and healing from piles the real change his built into the fiber you eat, the amount of water and hydration you have, and then habits you develop over time."

Medical Dialogues Final Take

No scientific evidence shows that drinking a mixture of saunf (fennel seeds), tulsi (holy basil), laung (clove), elaichi (cardamom), and gud (jaggery) can cure piles (hemorrhoids) in a week. While some of these ingredients may have anti-inflammatory, or antioxidant properties, they cannot cure piles, hemorrhoidal swelling, bleeding, or prolapse that too in a week. Hemorrhoids usually require a combination of dietary fiber, hydration, medications, and sometimes surgery not home remedies alone.

Hence, the claim is FALSE