Herbs for Bleeding Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are among the most uncomfortable conditions you can suffer because inflammation of the veins in your anus and rectum can cause you extreme discomfort and pain both internally and externally. If you wipe the hemorrhoidal area a lot, you could experience bleeding hemorrhoids, which you can treat with some soothing herbal remedies.

Horse Chestnut and Horsetail

• You should consult your doctor before taking any herbal remedy, especially if you have a pre-existing medical condition. If you take any medication, make sure that your condition will not deteriorate as result of taking any herbal treatments in conjunction with your medication. As long as you have no medical issues and are not pregnant or nursing, you should have no problems using the following herbal treatments to ease your bleeding hemorrhoids.

  You can use extract from the seeds of horse chestnut (also known as aesculus hippocastanum) to soothe inflammation that arises from hemorrhoids. Found in horse chestnut extract is aescin, which, thanks to its anti-inflammatory and anti-edema properties, strengthens and tones vein walls and reduces swelling and painful symptoms.

  Avoid making your own remedy with horse chestnut, though, because in its raw form it contains esculin, a substance that can negatively impact your red blood cells. You will be safer using a commercial remedy that has pulverized seeds. Because horse chestnut is toxic in large doses, consult your doctor or a homeopathic expert on how much horse chestnut you should use.

  With its stems high in silica acid, horsetail (also known as bottlebrush) helps stop hemorrhoids from bleeding and soothes inflammation. You can take horsetail as a tea drink, or you can use it as a tincture and apply it to the affected area. You should use whichever method is most convenient for you.

Witch Hazel

• Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is an herb you can use to treat your bleeding hemorrhoids either topically or in a sitz bath. Witch hazel extract contains compounds and phytochemicals that reduce hemorrhoid inflammation and itch and temporarily shrink hemorrhoids.

  You can get witch hazel over the counter in several forms, such as hemorrhoidal pads, lotions and suppositories. You can apply it as a lotion to the swollen hemorrhoid or cushion the hemorrhoid with a pad while you treat it. You also can use witch hazel internally, but not in the alcohol form found at drugstores.

Other Remedies

• Centella or Centella asiatic (gotu kola), a small, leafy plant that grows in Asia and some parts of Australia, contains anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties that help relieve hemorrhoid pain and reduce inflammation. Consuming centella extract as a tea also will improve circulation and strengthen your veins.

  To ease inflammation and swelling, strengthen veins and help stop hemorrhoidal itchiness and pain, you can use butcher's broom (Ruscus aculeatus). Butcher's broom extract contains the steroid-like ruscogenins and neuroscogenins, which have anti-inflammatory and vasoconstrictor effects.

  To help reduce hemorrhoidal itching and pain, you can drink a glass of water with two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar after every meal.