Page updated 2003
Please observe that I am offering information, and not endorsement of any particular product(s). I make no claims of their safety. Use of herbal products is best undertaken with the advice of a doctor skilled in the use of herbal therapy.
I would be particularly cautious if you are a person with multiple health problems on multiple medications. Ingested herbs can interact with medication. Also, some herbs are intended to reduce hemorrhoidal bleeding and if their efficacy is due to enhanced coagulation, consider this if you have a disorder which warrants REDUCED coagulation (e.g. coronary artery disease).
I direct you to our companion site Herbs for Hemorrhoids to obtain more information on the use of herbs, vitamins and other natural remedies.
From Henriett’a herbal Homepage. It's an impressive web site.
Herb site created by Paul Bergner, who is the editor of the journal Medical Herbalism and is on the faculty of the Rocky Mountain Center for Botanical Studies.
Horse Chestnut
So what is all the interest about ?
From the web site of Young Again Nutrients
"Horse chestnut has been used for relief of hemorroids since ancient times. In 1896 a clinical study established that horse chestnut was usefulness in treating hemorrhoids, using an alcoholate of the nut to show its anesthetic and anti-inflammatory activity in treating varicosis, in general, and hemorrhoids, in particular. It remains the treatment of choice among Europeans where standardized extracts of horse chestnut are readily available."
(They carry an herbal product called Vein Free with Horse Chestnut)As you will see in the following references, there is legitimate scientific evidence for the use of horse chestnut with varicose veins, and hemorrhoids have a striking similarity.
Excellent info on HC and its clinical uses, with journal references, interaction information.
By the people from Thedacare, having a comprehensive health website.
By Viable Herbal Solutions.
A journal article abstract :
Ruscus aculeatus [Butcher's Broom] - Monograph.
Altern Med Rev 2001 Dec; 6:608-612
Ruscus aculeatus (butcher's broom) is a member of the Liliaceae family and is native to Mediterranean Europe and Africa. It has tough, green, erect, striated stems that send out numerous short branches, very rigid leaves terminating in a single sharp spine, and small greenish-white flowers that bloom in early spring. The thick odorless root is used medicinally and has an initially sweetish taste that then turns slightly acrid. The primary active ingredients are the steroidal saponins ruscogenin and neoruscogenin, but other constituents have been isolated, including steroidal sapogenins and saponins, sterols, triterpenes, flavonoids, coumarins, sparteine, tyramine, and glycolic acid. Although both the above- and below-ground parts of the plant contain ruscogenins, the concentration is higher in the root, the part traditionally used medicinally. Studies indicate butcher's broom reduces vascular permeability and the ruscogenins from butcher's broom show remarkable anti-elastase activity in vitro. These actions help explain the herb's apparent utility in patients with chronic venous insufficiency. Studies also show butcher's broom to have a vasoconstrictive effect, but the mechanism of this effect remains somewhat unclear. The best-researched indications for butcher's broom are venous insufficiency, edema, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and hemorrhoids. A single trial indicates butcher's broom may be useful in preventing diabetic retinopathy.
A very well advertised East Indian herbal formula.
See details of this remedy at Herbs for Hemorrhoids The Pilex company claims excellent results.
Ingredients:
1. NEEM (Margosa)
2. NAGKESAR (Mesua Ferrea)
3. BARBERRY (Berberis Aristata)
Ferguson Formula 361
A product name that sounds like something that must really get the job done.
(You, too, can state with pride : "When my hemorrhoids flare up, I reach for Ferguson Formula 361")
From Jamark Labs. They carry ointment and suppository versions of this classic remedy, and a psyllium-based oral fiber supplement (but, as with Metamaucil, remember that psyllium gives some people a lot of flatulence)
Ointment :
Ingredients: Zinc Oxide, Petrolatum, Boric Acid, Camphor, Glyceryl Monosterate, Methylparaben, Purified Water, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Stearyl Alcohol.
Suppositories :
Ingredients: Zinc Oxide, Boric Acid, Camphor, Methylparaben, Olive Oil, Petrolatum, Propylparaben, Resorcinol, in a vegetable base.
Hem-Tabs and Hem-Tea
Oriental herbal remedy by Herbal Comfort Products" The first ingredient is Panax Notoginseng (Pseudo-Ginseng Root) which is used to stop bleeding, promote blood circulation, alleviate pain, relieve swelling, promote tissue regeneration as well as wound healing and remove blood stagnation in the bowels. The second ingredient Coptis Chinesis (Golden Thread Tuber) is used to stimulate the activities of the gastro-intestinal tract and stimulate gastric and pancreatic juices and bile - especially effective for ineffectual and painful straining during bowel movements. The third ingredient is Pericarpium Granati (Pomegranate Fruit) which is used for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. The fourth ingredient is Commiphora Muku (Myrrh) which has astringent and antiseptic properties and has a soothing effect on inflamed tissues. It is useful for enhancing the power of other herbs, especially those used in pain management. The fifth ingredient Boswellia Carteri (Mastic) is used to reduce swelling and pain caused by blood stagnation. "
A 2 week supply is $32.
For the tea, a 1 week supply is $30.
You can check their web site for testimonials, healing claims, etc.
AVATROL
A multi-ingredient remedy with incredible claims by its maker:
Comes in REGULAR and EXTRA STRENGTH.
A quote from the Avatrol web site :
"After extensive consumer studies, our team of researchers has found a solution to your hemorrhoids. This solution is Avatrol, simply take one pill in the morning for 14 days and your hemorrhoids will disappear."
Ingredients: Horse Chestnut, L-Arginine, Oat Straw [really ?!], Plantain, Oat Fiber, Cascara Sangrada, Bilberry, Butcher's Broom, Mullein, Cayenne, Red Root, Vit C, Vit E.
One capsule daily for 14 days , cost at least $25 . If your hemorrhoids are really bad, the extra strength formula is advised, used for 28 days, cost at least $50.
EasyH
We have found it. The Mother of all herbal hemorrhoid remedies...I wonder...believable?
I quote:
"·Hemorrhoid pain is gone in 2 to 15 seconds.
· Hemorrhoids shrink and are drawn back into the body within 10 minutes.
· In the same length of time it takes you to use a cyrogenic devise once to receive temporary relief, you can use EasyHTM once and get permanent relief.
· Extend the treatment for an additional 20 minutes and it:
(a) becomes a preventative, and
(b) prevents hemorrhoids for 1 to 8 years.
· Prevents flare-ups.
· No more swelling, burning, itching, and bleeding.
· Prevents hemorrhoids from coming back for up to 8 years."Ingredients, if you can believe this awesome list (it's kind of like "Where is Waldo ?") :
carrot root
bovine adrenal
bovine bone
honey
manganese
tocopheryl acetate
tocopherol
rosemary extract
arachidic
defatted wheat germ glycerophosphate
magnesium serate
canola oil
lemon oil
wheat germ oil
bovine spleen
veal bone meal
licorice (root)
sweet almond oil
peanut (bran)
glyycine
L-arginine hydrochloride
L-ornithine hydrochloride
pepsine
rice flower
cod liver oil
flax seed oil
oleic
linoleic
cellulose
calcium lactate
palmitic
alum
peptide
eicosapentaenoic
docosahexaenoic
olea europaea
L-Glutamine
palmarosa
rosewood
lemon
bergamot
lemon mint
ocimumbasil.L
juniper berry
thymuszygis
pelargomum graveolens
macadamia ternifolia
geraniumThe company states :
" Both liquid and powder sets are separately mixed to create an effective,
immediate stop to pain and itching – bringing immediate relief.
The first set of ingredients is mixed together for healing hemorrhoids
internally, at their source. The second set is layered on the external area
surrounding the anus and covering any external hemorrhoids.
You will need an adult enema bulb, because once the powder and warmed liquid
blend are mixed together, the internal part of EasyH™ Hemorrhoid Treatment is
given as an enema. The formula must be held within the rectum for 10 minutes.
[Note: Voiding prematurely, holding it less than 10 minutes, results in the
body not having what it needs to heal itself.]
After 10 minutes you may void if you wish. However, for every 5 minutes you can
hold EasyH™ inside, it can help you "buy" another year free of hemorrhoids."
Cost for 1 (??) treatment : around $200.
The following remedies are quoted from a most excellent web site, the material researched by Joyce L.Herzog : "Elderberry poultices can relieve the pain associated with hemorrhoids. A plain warm water enema will relieve pressure and pain in most cases and is fast acting.
A healing herb enema for hemorrhoids:
Willow bark (8 parts)
Red oak bark (8 parts)
Wild sage leaves (3 parts)
Pilewort (3 parts)
Horseweed (3 parts)
Boil 1/2 tsp. mixture slowly in 1 pint of water. Let stand until cold, then strain. Use as a rectal enema before going to bed.Two healing mixtures to relieve hemorrhoids internally:
1. Alder buckthorn bark ; Milfoil ;Licorice roots ; Fennel seed
Mix in equal parts. Steep 1 tbsp. in 1/2 cup boiling-hot water for 10 minutes. Drink hot.
2. Balm (3 parts) ; Blackthorn flowers (3 parts) ; Milfoil (3 parts) ; Arnica flowers (5 parts) ; Alder buckthorn bark (15 parts)
Soak 1 tbsp. of the mixture in 1/2 cup cold water for 6 hours then bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Take 1 cup per day. "
Back To Eden Do you remember the famous herbal book by the herbalist Jethro Kloss ? The following is an accounting of his recommended treatment for hemorrhoids (I write this for historical interest, please consult your herbalist !), as quoted from his book :
"First, take a high hot enema, temp from 102 to 108. Use either white oak bark or bayberry bark, or white alum root tea. This will cleanse the entire length of the colon.
Make a strong tea of witch hazel bark, 1 tsp catnip, ½ tsp bloodroot, 1 tsp yellow dock root.(whb and catnip most important)
or witch hazel bark 1 TBSP, tsp catnip in cup of boiling water, steep 20 min. (Use as) external applications or via syringe internally."
During enemas Mr Kloss advised being in knee chest position "as this causes intestines to drop forward."
Jethro Kloss claimed the following combo excellent for suppositories :
Hemlock Bark
Golden Seal
Wheat Flour
Boric acid
Bayberry bark
"mix with glycerine, make suppositories, use one at bedtime."
Other web sites worth checking : The Herbs Place , Whole Health MD (lengthy discussion of horse chestnut) , Health 911 (listing of folk remedies) , Tao Herb Farm (natural remedies for sale) ,The Herbal Hut , Puritan
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