Witch Hazel For Hemorrhoids: Everything You Need To Know

Hemorrhoids are some of the most painful and uncomfortable problems to have. Even if you have a mild case, hemorrhoids make bowel movements painful, uncomfortable, and a genuinely awful experience. While there are plenty of ways to reduce pain, one of the best holistic treatment options is witch hazel.

Witch hazel is a plant that’s popular on the East Coast of the United States, so it’s an easily accessible treatment option. Learn more about how witch hazel for hemorrhoids can help.

What Are Hemorrhoids?

First things first, it’s important to understand what hemorrhoids are before you start applying witch hazel oil to anything. Hemorrhoids are swollen or inflamed veins in the rectum or the anus. The inflammation is uncomfortable, often a little bloody, and makes going number two a little challenging.

Hemorrhoids are caused by pregnancy, bowel movements, and sometimes straining during bowel movements. In fact, even sitting on the toilet for too long and scrolling on your phone can contribute to hemorrhoids.

What Is Witch Hazel?

Witch hazel is a shrub that’s native to the East Coast of the United States. It’s a beautiful plant, and many people use it for decoration. However, you’ll find that witch hazel is also great for your skin, health, and even holistic healing. This is why you can find it as a distilled liquid in most pharmacies and drug stores across the US.

You can also find witch hazel essential oil that you can use to help with hemorrhoids, aromatherapy, and even in your skincare routine. This is because it’s an astringent, which is useful for tightening your muscles or shrinking tissues in your body, like hemorrhoid veins.

3 Ways Witch Hazel for Hemorrhoids Can Help

There are a handful of ways that witch hazel for hemorrhoids can help. This is mostly due to the plant’s astringent properties, due to its tannins, which can shrink swollen glands. Learn more about how witch hazel for hemorrhoids can help.

1. Astringent Properties

The best reason to use witch hazel for hemorrhoids is its astringent properties. Witch hazel contains tannins, which can tighten muscles and shrink swollen tissues in the body. This can help you shrink your hemorrhoids and speed up recovery. Therefore, it’s one of the few things that can help you clear up your hemorrhoids and prevent them from getting worse.

2. Relief From Symptoms

Witch hazel for hemorrhoids is also helpful because it can offer you relief from some of the more painful symptoms of hemorrhoids. This is because witch hazel has soothing properties that relieve burning, itching, and other uncomfortable symptoms. Witch hazel oil also has some cooling properties that can provide additional relief.

3. Protects Your Skin

Unfortunately, hemorrhoids aren’t great for your skin. They can cause inflammation in the surrounding areas, especially if they’re itchy. The good news is that witch hazel oil can protect the surrounding skin from further irritation or infection.

How to Use Witch Hazel for Hemorrhoids

Applying witch hazel for hemorrhoids doesn’t have to be a whole production. All you need to do is clean the area with soap and water and then dry it off.

From there, applying witch hazel depends on the method. If you plan on using wipes, you’ll simply wipe the area down. On the other hand, if you’re using essential oil or another type of witch hazel oil, you’ll need to use cotton balls to apply the witch hazel. To do so, simply add a few drops to the cotton balls and then apply the witch hazel to the impacted area.

When it comes to the frequency, we recommend using witch hazel oil two to three times daily. If you use it too often, it can dry out the skin, and that’s the last thing you need if you have hemorrhoids.

Find Relief With Witch Hazel for Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are some of the worst things you can deal with. Not only are they painful, but they may last for days or even weeks. The good news is that you can use witch hazel for hemorrhoids, and it’s been shown to relieve symptoms, reduce discomfort, and even speed up recovery.

That said, we recommend applying witch hazel oils to other parts of your body first to see if you’ll have any type of allergic reaction; you don’t want your first allergic reaction to happen where you have hemorrhoids. Once you know it works, feel free to apply it a few times daily to find relief.