Hemorrhoids
Health Benefits

Witch Hazel: A Natural Treatment for Hemorrhoids Explored

| Modified on Feb 10, 2024

Do you have the dreaded hemorrhoids, also known as piles? Suffering from the discomfort, itchiness, and pain this condition causes can be a real hindrance. Luckily, an all-natural remedy has proven to be highly beneficial for countless individuals: witch hazel. This plant-based solution can soothe hemorrhoids and offer significant relief.

What is Witch Hazel?

Witch hazel is a plant native to North America. Its bark and leaves are widely used for their medicinal properties. The plant extract, known for its astringent, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties, is particularly helpful for those dealing with the pain of hemorrhoids.

How Does Witch Hazel Help Hemorrhoids?

The therapeutic benefits of witch hazel can be credited to its active ingredients: tannins and volatile oils. These ingredients contribute to witch hazel's astringent properties, which help shrink swollen tissues.

When applied topically, witch hazel reduces inflammation and soothes the irritation caused by hemorrhoids. Additionally, it helps constrict blood vessels, reducing bleeding and promoting faster healing.

Using Witch Hazel for Hemorrhoids

The use of witch hazel for hemorrhoids is straightforward. Witch hazel pads, ointments, or liquid solutions are readily available over the counter.

Apply a saturated witch hazel solution directly to the affected area several times a day for effective relief. Witch hazel pads can also be placed on the affected area for a more sustained application.

Can You Leave Witch Hazel Pads on a Hemorrhoid Overnight?

Yes, it's fine to leave witch hazel pads on hemorrhoids overnight. A number of Earth Clinic readers have found success by soaking a round cotton makeup remover pad with witch hazel and leaving it placed against the hemorrhoid overnight.

While witch hazel is safe for most people, prolonged contact might lead to skin irritation or dryness in some sensitive individuals.

Conclusion

In conclusion, witch hazel is a fantastic, natural option for those seeking relief from the discomfort of hemorrhoids. However, remember that while it can alleviate symptoms, it does not cure the root cause of hemorrhoids. Incorporating dietary and lifestyle changes, such as a high-fiber diet and regular exercise, can help prevent and manage this condition. Also, don't forget that parasites can cause painful hemorrhoids; thus, a 30-day parasite-eliminating protocol would be very helpful.

Have you tried witch hazel for hemorrhoids? Please send us some feedback! Read on to see how this old fashioned hemorrhoid treatment worked for our readers!

Related Links:

Hemorrhoid Relief: Top Home Remedies and Causes Explained
Natural Remedies for Parasite Treatment and Prevention




13 User Reviews


Posted by Alexandra (Cheshire, UK) on 08/02/2018
★★★★★

I had relief by using a cotton wool pad soaked in witch hazel and applying it to the haemorhoid when you go to bed, leave in place all night. I use ascorbic acid (vitamin C) for any pains, large doses could make going to the bathroom easier too. Giving up wheat seems to have put an end to that problem for me. Hope you get it sorted soon.


Witch Hazel
Posted by Ilovemyplanet (Erie, Pa.) on 01/17/2018
★★★★★

I was looking for guidance for length of time witch hazel cotton balls can be left on hemroids and here it was!!! It has been a long time since I have had to resort to using witch hazel for hemroids, but after the birth of my son it was what the hospital used many years ago. The bugs going around this winter can cause awful diarrhea, which can cause massive hemroids.....and I highly recommend the advice given here. Natural is always better, especially when the body is in stress from illness.


Witch Hazel
Posted by Jayne (Perth, Australia ) on 11/01/2015
★★★★★

For painful external haemorrhoids, use witch hazel soaked in a cotton pad face wipe and leave on area over night. Couldn't believe it worked 100% no problems for 4 days now and this has been a recurring painful thing for a year on and off!!!!! Amazing.


Witch Hazel
Posted by Laurie (Chicago, Il) on 10/07/2015
★★★★★

Wow!!! Thank god for witch hazel!

I tried the ACV for hemorrhoids first and it made it worse by severely irritated them, well... more like burned them. So I calmed the skin back down by using coconut oil for a day. Very soothing, but I didn't find that it actually made the hemorrhoid go back up. So I tried witch hazel and the first application it shrunk half the size!!! The next application a few hours later literally got it to go almost back in. I'm sure by my 3rd application it will be back up where it belongs! This was all in about an 8 hour time span. I'm sure tomorrow (24 hours later) it will be completely back up there. I would highly suggest giving this remedy a go.

Just saturate a cotton ball with witch hazel. I used a witch hazel brand that has aloe. It feels so good on. It does tingle which tells me its working. Each time I sat with it on I would saturate the cotton ball then let it sit for about 5 minutes then re saturate to repeat the process. You just put the cotton ball on the hemorrhoid then sit down. So far so good! I also did find witch hazel suppositories online that I have ordered because I'm sure the issue is stemming from the inside and it needs to be addressed.

Good Luck! I hope this helps someone


Witch Hazel
Posted by Sarah (Charlotte, Nc) on 03/11/2015
★★★★★

ACV did not help my hemorrhoids at all. Witch Hazel, applied with a cotton ball, however, totally stops the itching and temporarily shrinks the veins back up.


Witch Hazel
Posted by Sarah (Charlotte, Nc) on 03/11/2015
★★★★★

Yes! I got the kind of hemorrhoids from inflammation (from a low-carb diet, and I was never constipated).
Witch Hazel totally stops the itching and temporarily shrinks the veins back up. Also, a sweet potato a day is permanently healing my hemorrhoids. My intuition was telling me to get more vitamin A in my diet, and the first sweet potato healed me up so much that I've been eating one a day for five days now. The itching has almost entirely stopped, and the veins are almost completely receded.


Witch Hazel
Posted by Dj-jazz (New York, NY, USA) on 05/26/2013
★★★★★

Hemorrhoids: With my hectic lifestyle, can never seem to stay regular, tried the golden milk, tumeric in hot milk with honey. What I found that worked was Witch hazel, coconut oil and hi fibre foods. Jazz


Witch Hazel
Posted by Wendy (Wilmington, Nc/ United States) on 04/09/2012
★★★★★

Witch hazel works for hemorrhoids. I had the worst case for a week. There was stabbing pain, swelling and itching. I was on this site and found the use of witch hazel. I got relief from the first use. There was no burning and instant relief. Within 3 days the hemorrhoids shrank and was back to normal. I do suggest using wet wipes when applying directly to the hemorrhoids.


Witch Hazel
Posted by Elaine (Edmond , Oklahoma, Usa) on 02/06/2011
★★★★★

Whenever I have hemorrhoid problems I take a wad of toilet paper and soak it in witch hazel. Just before bed I place the TP on the lump and let it sit there over night. Witch hazel is a topical analgesic and will definitely help with the pain and shrinkage. Right after my daughter was born I would put about a quarter to a third of a cup in my sitz bath. Not only did it help my hemorrhoids, but it also help with the pain AND healing of my epizotomy (sp).


Witch Hazel
Posted by Anonymous (Mia, Fl) on 07/23/2010
★★★★☆

Hey how long does your hemorrhoid bump last after using the witch hazel? Once I used it, it made a remarkable change with the pain and shrinkage. But it shrunk halfway and I'm halfway done with the witch hazel bottle and I bought a new bottle for this problem. And I been putting witch hazel like 3-4 times a day, not shrinking anymore. I want my hemorrhoid bump to be gone finally after having it 2 1/2 weeks. Please help! Desperate need.


Witch Hazel
Posted by LoisLane (Jasper, Alberta, Canada) on 07/26/2009
★★★★★

This definately worked for me. I got witch hazel with aloe vera and every night before bed I would put a bit of it on a cotton ball and just wipe around the anus. It got rid of every last little bump and the itch. Definately recommend it!


Witch Hazel
Posted by Rosa (AZ)
★★★★★

Try witch hazel on cotton. leave in place for a few minutes like about 5-10min works a wonder....


Witch Hazel
Posted by Gsabra2 (Springfield, Mo)
★★★★★

I was feeling an ache in the anal area yesterday and today was in pain, getting to the point where I could not sit down. I remember I had this pain in that area before and went to the doctor, checked myself and yup, it was a hemorrhoid.

I was reading the site and saw Witch Hazel helped someone in a sitz bath (thank you! ), I did not have a sitz bath but I did have Witch Hazel and cotton balls. Soaked the cotton balls in Witch Hazel, wiped the affected area gently and carefully, and now.. No pain! It took all of three minutes and I am now sitting on my bun, letting you know I have relief. I will continue with the Witch Hazel and begin implementing chopped garlic, 2 cloves twice a day. I inherently know that this body will be helped by that. Thank you Earthclinic (lurker for four years).