Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) as you’re probably know can be used as a hemorrhoid treatment. If you are in North America, you may be familiar with the popular Preparation H® hemorrhoid products. These products contain witch hazel! This herb is well exploited commercially for over-the-counter hemorrhoid treatment products.
There are three primary reasons why witch hazel helps treat hemorrhoids:
- The herb is rich in astringent tannins that constrict tissue, create a protective barrier on the skin, and provide pain relief.
- It can probably help reduce inflammation.
- It is a vasoconstrictive herb; i.e., it constricts blood vessels.
A big reason why witch hazel is an herb of choice for hemorrhoids is the high tannin content. The most abundant tannin in the herb is hamamelitannin; which comprised approximately 4.77% (weight / weight) of a witch hazel extract.(source 3) The tannins in witch hazel make it an ideal therapy for swollen, irritated hemorrhoids.
Hemorrhoids are essentially varicose veins of the anus. These two conditions are a result of a health problem known as chronic venous insufficiency. Two of the most common manifestations of chronic venous insufficiency are hemorrhoids and varicose veins.(source 2) As a result, herbs that improve vein function and tone can be used to help treat this condition.
As a result of witch hazel’s ability to constrict blood vessels, it does double duty as a hemorrhoid treatment.
Inflammation is another problem that can lead to aggravated hemorrhoids. In addition to the previously mentioned benefits, witch hazel may be able to help reduce hemorrhoid inflammation. We will discuss studies that show the anti-inflammatory ability of this herb later in this article.
Witch Hazel is a Popular Commercial Remedy
The late Dr. James Duke (a renowned herbal medicine expert), in his book The Green Pharmacy,(source 1) even states regarding Preparation H® that for a long time he thought the "H" in the product name stood for Hamamelis (the latin name for witch hazel). But this isn’t the case, the "H" stands for hemorrhoids.
Dr. Duke even called hemorrhoids "The All-American Condition." In his book he states this condition affects approximately 1/3 of all Americans.
A 2001 study in Alternative Medicine Review(source 2) also gives an estimate of incidence; stating: "Over three-quarters of individuals in the United States have hemorrhoids at some point in their lives, and about half of the population over age 50 requires treatment."
So don’t feel like you are alone if you have this condition; it is quite common!
Can you Avoid Witch Hazel Stinging Hemorrhoids?
The stinging sensation of witch hazel products may be a result of isopropyl alcohol or other additional ingredients used in the wipes.
Of course, you can use simple witch hazel extract and a cloth to make your own hemorrhoid pads as a result; this might help with pain. One tip is if you have some high proof drinking alcohol (ethanol) on hand; putting a little of this on the pad will dull the pain that witch hazel might produce. And, drinking alcohol is anti-bacterial; which will reduce the chance of infection.
And, stinging or burning sensations aside, you might be able to save money by keeping some of this herbal extract on hand and making your own pads!
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Astringent Tannins in Witch Hazel Shrink Hemorrhoids
It should be noted first that the United States FDA has approved witch hazel in 10% to 50% concentrations as a topical astringent. Witch hazel is listed by the FDA as an astringent active ingredient.(source 10)
A 2003 study in the Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis(source 3) determined the amount of tannins in witch hazel bark and leaves. The study used high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to determine the chemical composition of a liquid sample of this herb.
The most abundant tannin in the bark was hamamelitannin; which comprised 4.77% (weight / weight) of the extract. The next most abundant tannin was gallic acid; which comprised 0.59% of the witch hazel extract. Tannins are often measured by finding "gallic acid equivalents" so gallic acid is certainly a tannin.
Therefore it is probably safe to assume approximately 5% or more of witch hazel extracts will be composed of tannins.
The 3rd chapter of the 2010 book Botanical Medicine for Women’s Health(source 4) discussed the astringent action of tannins in detail. According to this book, the basic use of a tannin is to tone or tighten tissue. They can be used to stop both external and internal bleeding. All tannins have phenolic characteristics and are soluble in water.
Tannins interact with skin tissue because they cause chemical reactions when exposed to proteins. Tannins denature protein molecules and can cause them to precipitate (form solid particles within a solution).
Tannins also precipitate gelatin, starch, alkaloids, and salts of heavy metals. One caution when working with tannins as an herbalist is that tannin rich herbs can create precipitates with other herbs that are high in alkaloids.
Yet, the important thing to take from this book’s overview on tannins, is that tannins produce a type of temporary "leather coat" on the surface of tissue via their astringent action. Consequently, the therapeutic advantages tannins provide are:
- They create a barrier against infection; which is ideal for bleeding hemorrhoids.
- Tannins reduce surface inflammation.
- Tannins can reduce the irritation of surface tissue by a type of numbing action.
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Witch Hazel can Reduce Inflammation
An interesting 1998 study in the journal Dermatology(source 5) tested the effects of witch hazel on inflammation caused by artificial sunburns. Of course the study calls these sunburns a more scientific name of UVB induced erythema (erythema is abnormal reddening of tissue). This study is relevant as it shows how witch hazel will affect tissue inflammation; which can then be extrapolated to inflammation of hemorrhoids.
The study involved 33 healthy volunteers who received UVB radiation on areas of their skin. These skin areas were then treated with three types of after-burn lotion: one containing witch hazel, and the other two not containing witch hazel. None of these subjects were tanned or had hyperpigmentation (darker patches of skin due to more melanin production) or tattoos within the area of the test fields.
The lotion with witch hazel showed a reduction in skin redness of approximately 20% after 7 hours of treatment; and, approximately 27% reduction after 48 hours of treatment. The other lotions that did not have witch hazel reduced redness approximately 10% after 7 hours to 15% after 48 hours. The study stated the differences between witch hazel and non witch hazel lotion redness reduction was highly statistically significant.
Another study, published in 2002 in Skin Pharmacology and Physiology,(source 6) also performed a very similar experiment. In fact, at least one author appears to have been the same person who helped conduct the previously discussed sunburn / witch hazel study.
The study enrolled 41 volunteers who were all light skinned and did not have suntans, tatoos, or hyperpigmentation. These volunteers were given UV radiation to the point when their skin became red. Topical treatments were then applied to their skin and the results observed.
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Dr. Patrick Jones, founder of the HomeGrown Herbalist School of Botanical Medicine has been a practicing veterinarian for over 25 years. He is also a clinical herbalist and traditional naturopath.
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Three different types of witch hazel lotion, each containing 10% witch hazel, were used in the experiments. Hydrocortisone cream was also tested as well. These various lotions served as sunburn treatments and were applied immediately after the burns were induced. Skin assessment was conducted at 24, 48, and 72 hours after treatment.
The study found that those given the highest UV radiation dosage had a significant reduction of skin redness by one of the witch hazel lotions at 48 hours. The other two witch hazel lotions showed significant reduction of redness at 72 hours.
When compared to untreated control sun burns, the witch hazel lotions reduced redness by an additional 1% to 6% at 24 hours; and, 23% to 30% at 72 hours after irradiation (UV rays causing the burns). Yet, despite this result, witch hazel was still not as effective as 1% hydrocortisone.
Concerning edema (abnormal swelling), a study published in 1994 in the Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology(source 7) examined if witch hazel could help this problem. The study used rats given edema experimentally. Herbal preparations, one herb being witch hazel, were then given as treatments.
The study found that witch hazel had no effect one edema induced in rats at doses of 100 mg / kg and 200 mg / kg.
When testing witch hazel on adjuvant arthritis (an experimentally induced form of sub-chronic arthritis) it was found that the herb was ineffective in the acute phase (at the beginning) but was effective in the chronic phase (after the condition was present for an extended period of time).
The study concluded that their results showed witch hazel contains anti-inflammatory substances. This isn’t the most promising result, but did demonstrate witch hazel could help inflammation to some degree.
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Witch Hazel is a Vasoconstrictor
Another herb that helps with vein function is Butcher’s Broom.
Because hemorrhoids are a type of varicose veins in the rectal area, shrinking these swollen veins can help the overall condition of hemorrhoids. This is another key reason why you will want to use witch hazel when treating hemorrhoids naturally.
Varicose veins can be a result of a condition known as chronic venous insufficiency; which is caused by Improper functioning of the vein valves in the lower body. If you have this condition, as well as constipation, you might be even more predisposed to get hemorrhoids.
A 1996 study in Alternative and Complementary Therapies(source 8) states that witch hazel is a vasoconstrictive and drying herb that is good for shrinking hemorrhoids. The study also goes on to state that witch hazel has been proven to constrict blood vessels on human skin.
A 2014 paper in the Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology(source 9) also states witch hazel has the ability to constrict the veins. Additionally, the paper states that witch hazel can help reduce the inflammation and bleeding around the rectum; ultimately reducing the irritation of hemorrhoids.
The 1998 Dermatology study(source 5) cited research showing witch hazel appears to reduce skin blood flow. The following quote, taken from the study, talks about this cited study:
Sorkin demonstrated a reduction in skin blood flow after an average latency period of 31 [minutes] following application of a [witch hazel] ointment in healthy volunteers as well as patients suffering from atopic eczema or psoriasis. In contrast, the corresponding vehicle mostly led to an increase in skin blood flow.
Dermatology [196.3 (1998): 316-322]
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If you have tried "everything" to treat hemorrhoids, including surgery, but it didn’t work—your’re not alone. Jessica Wright experienced this same hardship due to hemorrhoids. But, with extensive research and understanding of natural medicine, she developed a solution to permanently end her hemorrhoids.
Jessica Wright wrote an entire book detailing exactly how to replicate her success. Also, it appears "Jessica Wright" is probably a pen name for a woman—and author—named Linda Allen. Linda suffered from recurrent yeast infections as well, maybe at the same time as she had hemorrhoids. She turned to natural medicine for answers when medical doctors and their solutions could not help.
Jessica’s story is one of severe and chronic hemorrhoids. It involves routine doctor’s visits, prescription medications / creams, significant suffering from hemorrhoids, and even a two hour hemorrhoids surgery (stapled hemorrhoidopexy). Yet, 12 years of these treatments didn’t resolve Jessica’s hemorrhoids.
Despite these setbacks, Jessica didn’t give up; instead, she turned to natural medicine and diligent research. Skipping to the end of Jessica’s story, she would develop a natural method to treat hemorrhoids that worked brilliantly.
After Jessica put together her treatment protocol and used it, she found her hemorrhoids completely disappeared. And, they stayed gone. Something her doctor was not able to do. Yet, all it took was the right natural therapeutic approach.
Jessica also gave her treatment approach to others; and, they experienced the same exceptional results. Typically, Jessica’s system provides dramatic relief of hemorrhoids in just 48 hours. And, the root cause of hemorrhoids is fixed within 30 to 60 days.
A company selling hemorrhoid symptom products does not want their customer base diminished. Consequently, unpatentable natural medicine does not get much attention or publicity.
So, how can you know if Jessica Wright’s claims are legitimate and not a scam? That is a great question. Here are 3 important reasons why Jessica’s book is legitimate:
- It is published by a large U.S. based company (Located in Idaho) known as ClickBank. ClickBank handles all the sales and refunds of many products like Jessica’s. They do business in many countries; and, have been in business for many years.
- ClickBank provides a 60 day, 100% money back guarantee on all their products, Jessica’s book included.
- If you are not satisfied with Jessica’s book you can simply contact ClickBank (they make it very easy) for a full refund.
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About the Author
Nick Gross is a natural medicine enthusiast who has been researching and writing about natural medicine since 2008. Nick is primarily a web developer, but also researches and authors written and video content about natural health. Nick has a bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems from the University of Northern Iowa.
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