The use of witch hazel for hemorrhoids dates back to hundreds of years ago. Native Americans discovered the healing properties of witch hazel long before early European settlers stepped onto the rock.
They mainly used it to reduce inflammation and stop the bleeding.
Witch hazel is touted as one of the best natural astringent anti-inflammatory compounds.
It is a tree that explodes with loads of aromatic yellow flowers in winter. Its healing properties come from a chemical known as tannic acid.
Tannic acid, as an astringent, is believed to constrict the blood vessels and skin at the end of the rectum, which in turn will reduce the bleeding.
If you intend to use witch hazel to stop the itching and bleeding, then you have come to the right place.
If you have tried it all, and still suffer from the extreme pain, let me tell you that you can cure your hemorrhoids and enjoy a lasting relief, using only time-tested all natural remedies.
Let me guess… you are itching, in pain, bleeding, and you are very embarrassed. I know how it feels, I have experienced it firsthand. I battled with this hemorrhoids myself for two long dreadful years.
To someone who has never experienced the constant pain, it is hard to describe how horrible the feeling is.
To wake up every day, and fight the fear of going to the bathroom, and never have the chance to really feel good. Honestly, it is something I would not wish on my worst enemy.
Sadly enough, many people experience pain like this day in and day out. No matter what they try, for them, there is no escaping it.
I was one of those people, for two long years.
In attempt to soothe the itching and relieve the pain, I desperately tried just about everything, from prescription creams to expensive diet supplements to taking new prescription drugs every month, I even abandoned all my favorite dishes for the sake of a diet that did nothing to ease the pain.
The best I could get was a temporary relief. If I stopped using creams and suppositories the pain comes back with vengeance.
The problem with creams and suppositories is that they only hide the pain; they don’t address the root cause of the problem.
You do not get rid of hemorrhoids by hiding the symptoms. For a true lasting relief, it is important to understand what hemorrhoids are and most importantly the reason that causes them to flare up.
Without that knowledge, you will spend the rest of your life looking for what, in the best cases, will be a temporary relief.
Understanding Your Health Issue is the key to a Lasting Relief:
It might surprise you to say that we all have hemorrhoids, yes you read that right.
In fact they are those like-cushions located at the end of the rectum to control the passage of stools. However, the general public becomes aware of them when the blood vessels become swollen and inflamed.
Swollen veins inside the rectum are called internal hemorrhoids. Those that are swollen near the opening of the anus are called external hemorrhoids.
Here is how to tell which type you suffer from.
If you notice any of the following symptoms, then you most likely have internal hemorrhoids:
- Bright red color blood during bowel movement. When hard stool passes through the rectum, it causes the swollen veins to bleed. However, since there are no nerve endings in this area, in most cases you won’t experience any pain.
- Mucus that drains from the anus. Mucus can be seen on the bowel movement or on toilet tissue.
- Itching and burning on the skin around the anus.
- Prolapsed hemorrhoids. Internal hemorrhoids may prolapse (fall down) and protrude outside the anus. Generally, there are two phases to this condition. The first one is when the hemorrhoid falls down outside the anus during bowel movement, and then goes back inside (after bowel movement). The second phase is when it is no longer possible for the hemorrhoid to retract back inside, it stays outside the anus.
Unlike internal hemorrhoids, external ones are more serious and are usually very painful, because the outer skin is very sensible compared to internal tissue.
If you notice any of the following symptoms, then you most likely have external hemorrhoids:
- A hard lump or painful swelling around the anus caused by a blood clot formed in the veins. This blood is strangulated because it cannot return to circulation. This type of hemorrhoids is called thrombosed. This condition if left untreated can lead to tissue death (gangrene).
- Severe pain because the area, where external hemorrhoids is located, contains sensible nerve endings.
- If the skin is irritated it my bleed, burn or itch.
Now that we have a good grasp of what this health problem is, lets’ look at the common causes behind it.
Unnatural sitting habits on the toilet:
There is a reason why this health problem is most common in first world countries, less apparent in third world countries, and barely noticeable in tribunal communities. It goes back to the way each different culture uses the toilet.
In the first world countries people use the “modern” way of sitting on a toilet, thus they need to push out bowel movement.
Remote societies adopt a more natural position to relieve themselves which is squatting. This latter position doesn’t cause any pressure on the veins.
Squatting widens the rectum canal more than sitting, thus allowing a clearer and straighter passage for stools as shown in the image below.
Constipation:
Constipation is one of the main leading causes behind hemorrhoids. When constipated, stools become hard and dry which forces you to strain during bowel movement, and thus causing too much pressure on the veins near the anus.
The good news is that the treatment for constipation may be as close as a trip to your kitchen! Here are some natural remedies for immediate relief.
- Castor oil for constipation:
Castor oil has been used for centuries as a laxative. It is a natural remedy that has been passed on from generation to another. Take 1 to 2 teaspoons on an empty stomach; expect to see results in about eight hours.
- Exercise:
Don’t worry, you are not going to spend long hours in the gym. A daily 15 minutes is all you need to have soft stools.
Other causes of hemorrhoids include: pregnancy and childbirth, being overweight, diarrhea, lifting too much weight as well as bad diet.
How to use witch hazel for hemorrhoids:
Witch hazel comes in the form of a cream. Apply a pea sized amount on the affected area three times a day and after every bowel movement.
For best results, use witch hazel after taking a sitz bath. It will help you for sure to soothe the pain and the itching.
However keep in mind that if you don’t follow a simple basic treatment, the pain will return again with a vengeance.
Witch hazel works for an easy or new hemorrhoid attack, but it becomes inefficient in the case of a difficult case.
If your focus is just on getting rid of your external symptoms, using creams and other topical treatments, , it might help to partially and temporarily alleviate the symptoms and discomfort associated with your condition.
That’s OK if you want life dependency on expensive chemicals, with all of their side effects, but that’s not what most people want.
If you want to achieve lasting freedom from the itching and bleeding and dramatically improve your well-being, then Watch This Free Presentation Where Jessica Wright a medical researcher, nutrition specialist and former chronic hemorrhoids sufferer Reveals 1 Weird Trick That Forces Your Body to Heal Hemorrhoids In 48 Hours – Guaranteed!
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After I got pregnant with my first child, I suffered from hemorrhoids for the first time. I was embarrassed by them and had no idea how to get rid of them. The doctor I had at the time recommended using witch hazel pads after using the bathroom. I was still baffled as to what was going on. I wish that I had known of the book you mentioned at the end of this article at that time. It clearly defined what they are, what causes them, and most importantly how to eliminate them for good.