Sit Down Again Monthly

August, 2007

Information on hemorrhoids, treatments, symptoms, and more.

Herbal Hemorrhoid Treatment

By: Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, Ph.D, ND, DACBN

The nuts from the Horse Chestnut tree (Aesculus hippocastanum) have been used for centuries to treat hemorrhoids. The nuts were first seen as a valuable herbal in the 1500s in Germany and France. It was originally used to treat fever. Later it became known as a treatment for hemorrhoids, varicose veins, and phlebitis.

The Development of Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are tiny bulging sacs that form in the veins of the rectal area. They are mainly caused by factors that place excessive stress on these veins. Constipation, diarrhea, heavy lifting, pregnancy, child birth, prolonged periods of sitting or standing, and certain medical conditions such as heart disease or liver disease, are contributing factors to the development of hemorrhoids. The main symptoms of hemorrhoids include rectal bleeding, pain, itching, and burning.

Horse Chestnut for Hemorrhoid Treatment

Horse chestnut trees are native to the Balkans. This rugged shade tree can be easily identified by its "sticky buds" that burst in the spring at the first taste of sunshine. It will have five- or seven-fingered leaves. As the summer arrives, the tree produces upright flower spikes that are quickly followed by the formation of the spiked seed coats with the internal nut. Though nuts from a horse chestnut tree look very similar to the sweet chestnut, but these two nuts are in way related. It's important to recognize the difference between the two nuts as they should never be confused. Though the horse chestnut seed is sometimes fed to horses and cattle as fodder, the seeds are poisonous to humans if eaten as a food.

Horse Chestnut and Hemorrhoids

Historical data remains on the production and use of an extract of horse chestnut. This data, based on studies from Germany and England, shows how horse chestnut extracts were available for internal consumption and provided a well-documented treatment for hemorrhoids, varicose veins, and edema.

In order to create the horse chestnut extract, horse chestnut seeds are dried, pulverized, and combined with a mixture of alcohol and water. Horse chestnut seed contain hydroxycoumarins, flavonoids, tannins, and aescin (or escin). Flavonoids can help treat the symptoms of hemorrhoids by strengthening the veins, and reducing the severity and duration of hemorrhoid symptoms. Rutin, hesperidin, and diosmin are all types of flavonoids that have shown promise in treating hemorrhoids. Other food sources of flavonoids include: apples, buckwheat, broccoli, grapefruit (white), pomegranates, limes, chocolate, soybeans, oranges, lemons, tomatoes, onions, carrots, and blueberries. Aescin is also very helpful in reducing the pain and swelling associated with hemorrhoids. It was once considered the most effective component of horse chestnut for healing hemorrhoids. But it is really the combination of all of these factors that enable the healing powers of the horse chestnut extract. Isolating one compound does not necessarily make for more effective results.

The combination of constituents that make up horse chestnut seeds improves circulatory vein function, helps prevent swelling in the legs and helps blood flow through the veins. They also ease the inflammation associated with hemorrhoids and alleviate the pain, itching and swelling common with this disorder. And unlike other conventional medications, side effects and adverse reactions to horse chestnut are rare and minor in nature.

Horse chestnut extract can be found in many skin-care preparations for those who suffer from varicose veins. Just as horse chestnut can be used in the treatment of hemorrhoids, it can be effective in relieving swelling and water retention in the legs. This popular extract is a common ingredient in lotions, creams, massage oils, and other products, often in combination with other herbs such as horsetail, cypress, rosemary, and citrus.

Using the Herb Horse Chestnut To Treat Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoid sufferers can use horse chestnut extract to alleviate the swelling, itching, and sharp, shooting pains associated with hemorrhoids. The extract can be used in a sitz baths tow to three times per day for three days but, as with any medical condition, a health practitioner should first be consulted.

From the German word, "to sit" a sitz bath is time honored maneuver that simply requires a tub and hot water. It is unclear why exactly the hot water provides such therapy in the relief of hemorrhoids, but the relief is evident regardless. A sitz bath can help to reduce the swelling and ease the pain and itching of hemorrhoids.

Many pharmacies and discount stores sell specialized sitz baths, which are simply plastic seats that fit on an opened toilet. But a regular tub would work just as well. The key is to submerge the affected area in water that is just a little bit hotter than your usual bath water. Do not add any perfumes, bubbles, oils beads, or salts to the water as these may irritate the hemorrhoids. And avoid using soap products to clean the anus. Some people add Epsom salts to the bath water, but there is no proven clinical basis for this. Rather, add the horse chestnut extract directly to the water to reduce the swelling, pain, and itching of hemorrhoids. I recommend the best herbal hemorrhoid treatment Hematrex™.