Hemorrhoids, while rarely serious, are very common and can be quite unpleasant. Sometimes they can bleed quite profusely, which is frightening to say the least. There are a number of remedies worth considering, including sitz baths and witch hazel wipes. Horse chestnut extract can also be helpful.
Horse Chestnut Extract for Hemorrhoids:
Q. I have been suffering for six months with hemorrhoids. I was buying a tube of Preparation H at least once a week and getting very little relief. When I Googled for an herb remedy, I found a suggestion for horse chestnut extract. I already had a box of Venastat on hand that I was meaning to try for spider veins. The results have been fantastic, more than I could have hoped for! I have to take it every day, though, or the symptoms return.
A. Horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) has been used to treat varicose veins. It makes veins less fragile. The same activity benefits hemorrhoids, which are a particular type of varicose vein (MacKay, Alternative Medicine Review, April, 2001).
An Excerpt from our Interview with Dr Shaheen on Hemmorhoids
[smart_track_player url=”https://www.peoplespharmacy.com/wp-content/uploads/ShaheenHemmorhoids.mp3″ title=”Dr. Shaheen on Hemmorhoids” ]
How Horse Chestnut Extract Works:
One of the reasons horse chestnut extract may be beneficial is that it has antioxidant effects in the body (Kuçukkurt et al, Journal of Ethnopharmacology, May 4, 2010). The consequences include anti-inflammatory activity in the blood vessels (Domanski et al, PLoS One, Oct. 11, 2016). Although we have not seen clinical trials, in rat research a mixture including horse chestnut extract (together with walnut husks and fig and artichoke leaves) speeds healing of anal inflammation (Gurel et al, Chinese Journal of Physiology, Oct. 31, 2013).
Venastat is a standardized horse chestnut extract. Thank you for sharing your success.
Revised 1/15/18
