Does Witch Hazel Work For Hemorrhoids?

The clear, pungent liquid extract that is obtained from this bushy herb is one of the most common home remedies for bruises, cuts, acne and many other skin conditions. Does witch hazel work for hemorrhoids? Absolutely! It is the standard home remedy for hemorrhoids and it is so safe to use that even pregnant women dealing with hemorrhoids can use it at no risk to their unborn child.

Witch hazel (hamamelis virginiana) is also known as snapping hazelnut, winterbloom and hamamelis and it is the bark and leaves that are used to obtain the liquid extract that is used in natural healing.

Herbalist are unanimous in their agreement on the usefulness of this herb as a natural remedy due to its cooling and astringent properties and commonly recommend it for treating burns, cuts, bruises, scalds, inflammation, acne, as a gargle for sore throats and sores in the mouth as well as to take internally for treating diarrhea.

It is one of the natural remedies that is commonly found in most if not all stores on and offline. It is not only cheap but also effective.

Witch Hazel for hemorrhoids treatment

If you are asking yourself, “Can witch hazel be used for hemorrhoids?” the answer is yes and there are various studies that back up the use of this natural remedy for treating this condition.

The astringent action found in witch hazel as well as its antiseptic, anesthetic and anti-inflammatory action make it one of the most recommended home remedies for treating hemorrhoids. It is so widely used for hemorrhoids that various products that are targeted to hemorrhoids sufferers usually contain witch hazel as one of the active ingredients. These products include creams, suppositories, tinctures, pads, etc. These products can be used to treat both internal and external hemorrhoids.

The astringent and anti-inflammatory properties of witch hazel can help to shrink hemorrhoids while also helping to soothe other symptoms such as itching, irritation, etc.

How to apply witch hazel to hemorrhoids

For convenience, you may want to use the commercial witch hazel water which is available in grocery stores, pharmacies, etc, but do try to only get the best quality since some of these may contain other irritating ingredients such as alcohol.

You can also make a decoction using witch hazel powdered twigs or powdered leaves. Add about a teaspoon of the twigs or leaves to a cup of boiling water and allow to steep for about 10 to 15 minutes before straining and allowing to cool.

Whether using commercial preparations or homemade decoctions, simply soak a cotton ball or cloth in the solution and apply to the external hemorrhoids. You can also mix witch hazel in a lotion and apply.

If using witch hazel internally, do make sure that it is under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. If you are pregnant or nursing, only stick to using witch hazel externally. If using witch hazel on children younger than 2, only apply it externally after diluting it.

Side effects of witch hazel

When considering whether to use witch hazel for hemorrhoids, you also need to consider any side effects. Being a natural remedy, it is generally safe and there have been no reports of harm from using this herb externally and while many herbalists do recommend using it internally, most experts advise against ingesting this herb.

Like most if not all remedies, some people may be allergic to witch hazel. If this occurs, stop using it or reduce the dose or dilute the solution.

If symptoms do not go away after 2 for 4 weeks, talk to a healthcare professional.

Does witch hazel work for hemorrhoids? Definitely and if you are looking for a natural remedy, this herb is one of the most effective and it is generally safe.

Top 10 Tips On How To Get Rid Of Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy That Work!

Dealing with hemorrhoids during pregnancy can mar what can be an amazing time for most women. If you are dealing with this right now, there are some amazing tips on how to get rid of hemorrhoids during pregnancy that may work for you during this time that you should definitely use without them affecting the health and safety of your baby.

Why hemorrhoids during pregnancy?

While pregnancy can be an amazing experience, it can give rise to various issues one of them being hemorrhoids which is a common issue during this time (more than half of pregnant women deal with this).

These develop as the fetus grows which places additional pressure on your rectal region as well as increased blood flow to the pelvic region during this time. This pressure and additional blood blow leads to swollen veins which signify hemorrhoids and look like a pile of marbles or grapes which is why hemorrhoids are also known as piles. They may also itch or bleed during bowel movements especially if you strain. They are also usually common during the second to third trimesters.

Once you give birth, these hemorrhoids will usually retract unless you had hemorrhoids before the pregnancy. In rare cases will hemorrhoids worsen due to the pushing action during the delivery.

How to get rid of hemorrhoids during pregnancy

It can be downright painful and uncomfortable to deal with hemorrhoids during pregnancy. Not to mention the annoying itching that can occur. Instead of waiting until after delivery to see whether they go away, there are many tips on how to get rid of hemorrhoids during pregnancy that you can implement which may give you some relief such as;

1. Roughing up your diet by adding more fiber will help with constipation. Constipation creates pressure as you strain during bowel movement and possible injury to the veins in the anal area which increases the risk of developing hemorrhoids. A low fiber diet made up of processed foods results in constipation and hemorrhoids.
2. Drink plenty of water especially if you increase your fiber intake as this will help to move things along in the digestive tract including fiber. Try to drink 8 to 10 eight ounce glasses of water every day to keep you well hydrated and to help with elimination.
3. When you have to go, go. Do not postpone heeding the call of nature because the longer you wait which keeps the stool in the lower part of the digestive tract for longer than is necessary, it will cause the loss of moisture which can turn the stool dry and hard.
4. Keep your rectal area clean as a whistle because any residual rectal matter can irritate the skin. You may want to also use pre-moistened wipes and not rough tissue paper in order to not only properly cleanse this area but to avoid the irritation that comes from using rough toilet paper. But be careful with the type of wipes you use because some can contain irritating ingredients.
5. Watch your weight. While many women use pregnancy to eat any and everything, if your weigh balloons during pregnancy, it only increases your risk of developing hemorrhoids and keeping your weight down within reason will be good for you and your baby.
6. Keeping active by simply taking a walk can help with hemorrhoids as it can help improve circulation all over the body including the anal area. Avoid sitting or standing for long periods of time. Take a short walk every hour during the day for about five minutes or so. Nothing too strenuous.
7. A warm sitz bath is another of the best methods on how to get rid of hemorrhoids during pregnancy as it can help to soothe the inflamed anal tissues and help relax the muscle spasms that can occur with hemorrhoids. Simply sit in six inches of water with a donut cushion so that you are not resting on your butt which may be painful when you have fibroids or simply twist a towel into a circle that is large enough to support your bottom and let the heat do its work to relax and soothe.
8. Another of the best hemorrhoids during pregnancy methods is to use safe herbal remedies such as witch hazel to soothe and treat the hemorrhoids. Apply witch hazel externally to the area or you can also use an ice pack.
9. Avoid sleeping on your back as this can place pressure on the back and pelvic region. Sleep on your side to relieve this pressure and also try to lie on your left side a few times during the day in order to help relieve any pressure on your rectal muscles.
10. Keep up with your kegel exercises which not only strengthen the vagina muscles but also the rectal muscle in order to keep the muscles in this area nice and taut as well as improve circulation to this area which helps to prevent the development of hemorrhoids.

These are just a few effective tips on how to get rid of hemorrhoids during pregnancy. The good thing with hemorrhoids that develop during pregnancy is that they go away after pregnancy but these tips should help to prevent them from developing in the first place or to get rid of them or to make them less of a factor during the pregnancy.

How To Get Rid Of Hemorrhoids Naturally – Top 5 Herbs For Hemorrhoids

One of the top tips on how to get rid of hemorrhoids naturally is with the help of herbal medicine. Many people since the dawn of time have turned again and again to herbalism for the treatment and prevention of various ailments as well as for the promotion of overall health and wellbeing. This is not only because many herbs are effective but also because they have few to no side effects. 

For hemorrhoid treatment, the following are the top 5 herbs that make excellent hemorrhoid home remedies.

How to Get Rid of Hemorrhoids Naturally Using Herbs

1. Witch Hazel

The leaves and bark of witch hazel are the parts commonly used to obtain a clean pungent liquid extract that is used for natural healing. Witch hazel is one of the most highly used healing herbs in the US and you can easily find it in many local stores.

The cooling and astringent properties make it excellent for the treatment of burns (including sunburn), cuts, bruises, inflammation, scalds, etc.

Witch hazel for hemorrhoids

Witch hazel is excellent for eliminating hemorrhoids because it is not only an astringent but is also antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and anesthetic. Witch hazel is used externally for hemorrhoid treatment by simply applying the liquid directly to the problem areas using a cotton ball, piece of cloth, etc.

Witch hazel may cause an allergic reaction as is the case with many products besides herbs. If an allergic reaction occurs, stop use or reduce the dosage.

If you notice no change after using witch hazel to treat the hemorrhoids for at least two weeks, you may want to consult your doctor or use another remedy.

2. Horse Chestnut

Another herb that is a popular tip when trying to determine how to get rid of hemorrhoids naturally is horse chestnut. The seeds of this plant are the parts used for natural healing.

The seeds of horse chestnut contain aescin which is a compound which helps to strengthen the walls of the veins which can help to increase their elasticity. Increased elasticity can help the veins resist developing into hemorrhoids when they are under pressure. The seeds also help with the promotion of normal blood flow as well as the prevention of the pools of blood that are commonly associated with hemorrhoids.

Besides hemorrhoids, horse chestnut is also recommended for varicose veins. Other uses for horse chestnut include hearing problems that result from poor circulation in the ear caused by tinnitus or hearing loss. The anti-inflammatory properties of horse chestnut also make it great for arthritis natural treatment.

Horse chestnut for hemorrhoids

While current focus of horse chestnut research is mainly on its use for varicose veins in the legs, hemorrhoid treatment was actually the first benefit of this herb that was identified.

As mentioned previously, its ability to promote normal blood flow and its vein strengthening abilities makes it an important herb to consider when seeking tips on how to get rid of hemorrhoids naturally.

Horse chestnut is usually taken internally and the recommended dosage is usually 50 milligrams of aescin taken up to three times daily. There are also various creams and gels on the market that include horse chestnut as an active ingredient that can be applied topically to the troublesome veins (varicose or hemorrhoids).

3. Blackberry

Though you are probably more used to blackberry jelly or jam, the fruits, leaves, roots and bark of the blackberry are also used for herbal healing.

The healing properties of blackberry are derived from compounds in the pigment which give the fruits their dark hue known as anthocyanosides.

These are very potent antioxidants that not only help prevent free radical damage to healthy cells in the body but can also reverse this cell damage from free radicals (these are highly reactive oxygen molecules that survive by damaging healthy cells). This antioxidant action makes blackberries excellent for the prevention of certain cancers, heart disease and many other degenerative diseases.

Other conditions that blackberries can help with include;

·         Diabetic retinopathy

·         Cataracts

·         Macular degeneration

·         Diarrhea

·         Wounds

·         Sore throat

·         Varicose veins

Blackberrries for hemorrhoids

The anthocyanosides contained in blackberries help strengthen veins and help prevent the pooling of blood associated with varicose veins and hemorrhoids (hemorrhoids can be thought of simply as varicose veins in the anal area).

The astringent properties of this herb also make its usage one of the important tips given on how to get rid of hemorrhoids naturally.

To use blackberries for hemorrhoid treatment, soak a piece of cloth in a strong infusion or tincture of this herb.

To make home remedies for hemorrhoids with this herb, you can make an infusion at home by steeping about 2 teaspoons of dried leaves or 2 teaspoons of dried powdered bark or a handful of fresh or dried crushed berries in a cup of boiling water.

Tinctures are alcohol extracts of the dried herb that you can prepare yourself or purchase. If using commercial preparations of this herb, simply follow the manufacturer’s guidelines on dosage.

4. Butcher’s Broom (Ruscus Aculeatus)

The rhizomes (underground stems) and the roots of this herb are commonly used for the treatment of hemorrhoids and many other conditions.

Butcher’s broom was found by scientists in the md 1900s to be able to prevent veins from leaking fluid making it a particularly useful herb for the treatment of varicose veins and hemorrhoids.

Most butcher’s broom used in research studies has been Cyclo 3 Fort which is a French proprietary formula which includes butcher’s broom extract and hesperidin methyl chalcone which is a compound found in citrus fruits that can also help prevent veins from leaking fluid.

For the treatment of hemorrhoids, it is recommended that you take up to four capsules of Cyclo 3 Fort daily or simply follow the directions on the packaging.

5. Psyllium (pronounced Silly-um)

This is sometimes called a plantain but it is different from the plantain sold in some grocery stores that is similar to bananas.

The seeds of this plant are the parts used for herbal healing. While many people may be unaware of this herb, one common product on the market that is comprised mostly of psyllium seeds is Metamucil which is a laxative.

That’s right, psyllium is one of the gentlest and safest laxatives. A significant part of the seed’s coating features a soluble fiber known as mucilage which when combined with water becomes gelatinous as it swells to at least 10 times its original size.

Mucilage is the part of this herb that is used for healing to help combat;

·         Diarrhea

·         High cholesterol

·         Constipation, etc.

Psyllium for hemorrhoids

Constipation is one of the top causes of hemorrhoids. All that straining during bowel movements due to constipation causes the veins to enlarge. If hemorrhoids are causing you pain as well as bleeding, psyllium can help because it helps to soften the stool which can be a source of relief from the pain and/or bleeding produced by some hemorrhoids.

Psyllium has a gritty texture which can be unpleasant for some people and it is also odorless. To obtain relief from the symptoms of hemorrhoids, take up to two teaspoons of psyllium three times a day. Be sure to drink plenty of water to help this herb do what it needs to do in your body. If you do not drink plenty of water, you will simply be plugged up by the soluble fiber in the seeds which may worsen constipation and even hemorrhoids.

If you purchase commercial psyllium, simply follow the directions on the package on dosage.

These are some of the top herbs that are usually recommended for hemorrhoids and are some of the most effective tips on how to get rid of hemorrhoids naturally.