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Horse Chestnut Extract Helped Heal Hemorrhoids

Horse chestnut extract used to treat varicose veins can also speed healing and reduce inflammation of hemorrhoids.

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

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About the Author
Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies..
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