When looking for a remedy to hemorrhoid pain, products containing Witch Hazel are commonly used. Witch hazel has strong astringent properties.
The name “witch hazel” may have originated from it’s association and use as a dowsing rod. Dowsing was once thought to be black magic and associated with witchcraft. It’s branches were frequently used as dowsing rods, whose purpose was to locate water, or “witch” a well. Witch hazel is used as an herbal remedy to dry and cleanse skin which is ironic considering the fact that it was once used to locate moisture.
Witch hazel is known as an astringent. The definitionof astringent is “a chemical that tends to shrink or constrict body tissues, usually locally after topical medicinal application. “Astringent” comes from the Latin word “adstringere”, meaning “to bind fast”. Two common examples are calamine lotion and witch hazel.”
Astringents dry, tighten, and harden tissues. You may use an astringent on your skin to tighten pores and remove excess oil. Witch hazel is also high in tannins which gives it these astringent properties. The astringent tannins in witch hazel temporarily tighten and soothe swollen varicose veins or reduce inflammation in cases of an inflammation of a vein. Resin and flavonoids are components of witch hazel that add to the anti-inflammatory characteristics. A cloth soaked in strong witch hazel tea reduces swelling and can relieve the pain of hemroids.
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