Symptoms and relief

Our purpose is not to hinder the physiological processes of the organism. Ours is a holistic approach. An approach that encourages the ristoring of the physical balance, by facing the causes as efficiently as possible and by ensuring a fast relief of all the symptoms.

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Venous system

Blood vessels can be distinguished in two types: arteries and veins. The venous and arterial system runs from the heart through the arterial trunks that ramify several times. As the ramification extends, the dimensions of the arteries gradually decrease to become arterioles and finally capillaries. Blood flowing from the capillary network first reaches the venules and then the small veins; from there to medium and large calibre veins before reaching the venae cavae (circulatory system) or the pulmonary veins (pulmonary circulation).

As for their structure, veins consist in a thin, smooth wall that is relatively inelastic. Their calibre is generally slightly higher than that of corresponding arteries. Because of their ample lumen and thin walls, veins can contain large quantities of blood (“venous compliance” is referred to in this respect, vs. “venous resistance” for arteries).

Because the vein wall is deformable, the most frequent pathologies are varicosities and dilatations; according to the anatomical district involved, different symptoms can arise. Among the most frequent varicose dilatations is a haemorroidal varicose dilatation, triggered by factors mainly connected to vessel fragility, but also to diet and lifestyle adopted.

In subjects that are susceptible to hemorrhoids, the vessel walls and connective tissues supporting the rectum are fragile and easily stretch, shrinking to the point where they start bleeding. For the same reasons, these people generally also suffer from varicose veins in the lower limbs as well as from capillary fragility. Prolonged standing or sitting as well as undue efforts increase pressure on vessels of the rectum and hinder venous outflow, thereby increasing the risk of hemorrhoids.

Adopting a correct diet also plays a key role. First of all, dietary excesses and certain foodstuffs in particular (chocolate, coffee, pork, etc.), cause overwork for the intestine and other organs in charge of digestive and purifying processes (spleen, liver and gallbladder), therefore limiting the efficiency of the circulatory system: as a result, the blood flows with difficulty and tends to “stagnate”. Refined and preserved foods, typical of our modern world, as well as the lack of fibres make intestinal functions difficult and in the long run cause dysbiosis, characterized by symptoms ranging from constipation to colitis.

If we add to these the frequent use and abuse of medicines, in particular laxatives and antibiotics, that deplete the beneficial physiological flora, and widespread, often undiagnosed food intolerances, the intestine becomes a “sick” area, fertile ground for the insurgence of hemorrhoids. The increasingly widespread sedentary lifestyle worsens the situation, making venous return difficult.

On these grounds, for those suffering from weakness of venous walls, evident from varicosities and dilatation with frequent episodes of hemorrhoids, it is fundamental not only to follow a correct diet and lifestyle so as to avoid exacerbating the situation; it is equally important to use the right remedies aimed at reinforcing the blood vessel walls and at the same time capable of definitely solving acute episodes of hemorrhoids.

Hemorrhoids are one of the most common diseases in the Western world. It is estimated that the pathology affects at least 50% of the adult population. Causes are generally attributed to reduced consumption of fibres in modern nutrition, abuse of refined foods and of medicines, as well as sedentary lifestyle.

Despite being a problem common to both sexes, hemorrhoids occur more frequently among the female population: causes for this predisposition lie in pregnancies, in hormonal changes connected to the menstrual cycle and to the greater tendency to develop varicosities.

What are hemorrhoids?

The term hemorrhoids refers to a pathological varicose expansion of arterio-venous cushions, called hemorrhoidal plexuses, located in the distal part of the rectum. Together with the sphincter, hemorrhoidal plexuses provide for evacuation of faeces, anal continence and they are distinguished in internal submucosal plexus and external subcutaneous plexus, anatomically connected to each other.

The hemorrhoidal pathology is characterised by blood vessels that expand in an irregular way, triggering the formation of varices. This can result in prolapse (i.e a protruding of hemorrhoidal plexuses from the anal sphincter), thrombosis (formation of painful, bluish nodules), and bleeding (when the vein wall, once distended and thinner, breaks). From an anatomical point of view, according to the most affected plexus, hemorrhoids can be distinguished in internal and external hemorrhoids. The latter, due the rich in innervations in the final part of the rectum, can be particularly painful. As for the type of disorder, hemorrhoids can be classified as follows:

Grade 1 hemorrhoids: swollen bloods vessels, with our without bleeding and no prolapse;
Grade 2 hemorrhoids: prolapse occurring after excessive strain (evacuation, pregnancy, childbirth, etc.), with the situation spontaneously normalizing once the situation is over.
Grade 3 hemorrhoids: presence of prolapse that does not heal spontaneously but can still be manually reduced;
Grade 4 hemorrhoids: prolapse is irreducably present regardless of any physical effort, often associated with thrombosis. This occurs because tissues meant to support and contain blood vessels stretch and, as a result, veins expland; vein walls become thinner and bleed. If tension and pressure continue, weakened veins tend to cause prolapse.

Why do they form?

Among the decisive factors, first of all there is hereditary predisposition, characterised by congenital weakness of venous walls and a tendency to form varices also in other anatomical districts. Chronic constipation, often associated with a diet poor in fibres, with ensuing greater difficulty in defecating, as well as use of laxatives, cause irritation and hemorrhoidal prolapse.

Prolonged erect position and remaining seated for a long time can cause a condition of increased pressure in the anal veins, due to gravity or difficult venous discharge. In the long run, certain sports, such as horse-riding, motorcycling and cycling can cause a weakening of structures supporting the anal canal, generating the risk of incurring in hemorrhoids.

Spicy foods, cocoa, alcohol and pigmeat tend to be irritants, causing venous expansion and therefore acting as triggering factors. In women, the increase of pelvic pressure, particularly during pregnancy but also during certain phases of the menstrual cycle, represents a further predisposing factor.

Frequent relapses

Acute hemorrhoidal crisis manifests itself with stitching pain and the feeling of a foreign body in the anal orifice. It occurs in the presence of hemorrhoidal thrombosis, i.e. concurrently with the formation of bluish swellings with a hard consistency, generally tending to prolapse and made worse by contraction of the anal sphincter. Hemorrhoidal thrombosis can frequently arise in patients suffering from hemorrhoids, usually triggered by physical stress or by unhealthy eating habits, alternating with phases of latency during which the person lives with the symptoms without, however, having solved the problem.

Treatment of hemorrhoids with conventional medicine

Medicines available on the market are mainly for topical use, such as ointments and suppositories, with a primarily symptomatic action. Active principles employed are cortisone based, the effect of which is to relieve inflammation; and local, pain-alleviating anaesthetics. Often used together in the same formulation, these substances can cause sensitization (skin rashes, irritations in the anal area), particularly if used for long periods of time. Moreover, they treat symptoms without acting on the real cause of the disorder, which therefore remains unsolved, exposing the patient not only to relapses but also to a progressive deterioration of the disorder itself.

The frequency of relapses, together with the widespread habit of treating the disorder only from a symptomatic point of view, poses the need for a valid, natural alternative that aims not only to effectively treat hemorrhoidal crises but also to stop the alternating cycles of acute and latency phases, through a targeted action to improve microcirculation in the anal area.

Nature helps you to solve the problem of hemorrhoids

A natural and effective approach

Hemorrhoid pathology is often prone to relapses: in fact, patients suffering from hemorrhoids often experience an alternation of ever-more frequent acute crises and ever-more short periods of latency. This happens because action is normally taken against the symptom itself using cortisone based ointments or topical anesthetics, without actually addressing the root cause. This way, the problem tends to worsen because venous weakness, as well as varicosities and intestinal dysbiosis, which are the upstream causes, inevitably tends to intensify.

Therefore, in addition to following a healthy nutritional and general lifestyle, essential to improve the conditions of the intestine and reduce venous stagnation, it is necessary to intervene with an approach that tackles the underlying causes of the problem, leading to a definitive solution. On the one hand, this is possible by effectively solving acute crises when they occur; on the other, by preventing relapses with treatment cycles. To this purpose, nature can be of great help once again, thanks to the extraordinary properties of Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE), the efficacy of which in case of hemorrhoidal problems has been confirmed by numerous studies and applications.

GSE and hemorrhoids

The extraordinary antimicrobial effiacy of Grapefruit Seed Extract, together with the virtually unique feature of not having a significantly negative impact on intestinal microbial flora, as confirmed by a study published in the “Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine Vol. 5 n°3 of 1990, make it a really extraordinary remedy to correct intestinal dysbiosis, a problem that is almost always present in patients suffering from hemorrhoids. GSE is 100% safe to use as it has broad spectrum action that does not lead to the development of bacterial resistance.

GSE is also recommended for local use as it has proven to be active against the most common opportunistic microorganisms and/or pathogens present in the faecal reservoir, the contamination of which can intensify the problem, particularly in case of hemorrhoidal bleeding. The validity of GSE to treat hemorrhoids is also confirmed by the fact that recent studies have proven GSE’s cytoprotective properties: as a matter of fact, thanks to its inhibiting effect on the production of proinflammatory mediators, it safeguards the integrity of epithelial tissues and helps healing processes.

For all the above reasons, GSE therefore represents the cornerstone upon which an extraordinarily effective approach against hemorrhoids is based. The association and synergy of specific plant extracts enables to:

act at local level with specific natural ingredients that, apart from hygenising and soothing pain and itching, encourage cicatrisation and strengthening of blood vessel walls in the anal area, while promoting recovery of supporting tissues and their containing function;
act at systemic level, improving conditions of venous circulation with specific, phlebotonic elements, while promoting selective cleansing and recovery of the intestine’s functionality;
act at local level with specific natural ingredients to hygienise, soothe and decongest the anal area.

This approach, combined with a healthy lifestyle (in terms of diet, but not only), includes the use of natural remedies that are well known in folk tradition and the efficacy of which in providing an opportunity to reach a definitive solution has been confirmed by recent studies.

1 - To act at local level with specific natural ingredients that, apart from hygenising and soothing pain and itching, encourage cicatrisation and strengthening the walls of blood vessels in the anal area, while promoting recovery of supporting tissues and their containing function.
Nature can help you with…

Grapefruit Seed Extract: used locally, GSE acts as a “selective cleaner”, contrasting the proliferation of faecal microorganisms in the area presenting venous fragility and anal bleeding. It is therefore essential as a natural hygieniser, while fulyl respecting physiology of the anal area.

Rusco: belonging to the Liliacee family and typical of the Mediterranean area, it has a powerful tonic effect, strengthening vessel walls and improving venous circulation. The activity of this extract is also suitable for external use. In addition, it also has soothing, protective properties.

Black Poplar: its extract, rich in glucosides and flavonoids, reduces spams of blood vessels and helps blood circulation; useful mainly due to its painkilling action: black poplar buds are included in the composition of a well-known ointment known as “Poplar buds balm”, useful as a sedative to calm pain in case of inflamed hemorrhoids.

Horse chestnut: Horse chestnut seeds contain escin, a saponin with well-recognised decongestant, anti-reddening, astringent and vasoconstrictive properties. Several studies have confirmed its vitamin P action that improves the resistance of capillaries, reducing their permeability. It also has an anti-inflammatory and oedematose effect.

Lythrum salicaria: called “haemostatic herb” thanks to to its high tannin content, it exerts marked antihemorrhagic, astringent and anti-inflammatory actions; recent studies have also proven its antibacterial activity due to the presence of the glycoside salicarin.

Alchemilla: its leaves, rich in mucilages, tannins and traces of salicylic acid, exert a marked antipruriginous action; moreover, they protect blood-vessel walls and have a vasoconstrictive and antihemorrhagic effect.

Carnauba wax: from the leaves of Copernicia cerifera, a palm tree native to North-East Brasil, the valuable carnauba wax is obtained, which is the best known, hardest vegetable wax. Employed in the preparation of ointments for the treatment of hemorrhoids and combined with the presence of beeswax and candelilla wax (Euphorbia cerifera), it has a containing function and reinforces blood-vessel walls while countering venous stagnation.

These vegetable constituents can be skillfully harmonised in an ointment ideal both to rapidly solve cases of haemorroidal crisis, as well as for cycles of treatment aimed at effectively preventing relapses.

2 - To act at systemic level, improving conditions of venous circulation with specific, phlebotonic elements, while promoting selective cleansing and recovery of the intestine’s functionality…
Nature can help you with…

Grapefruit Seed Extract: as already highlighted, GSE represents an extremely valuable aid in case of hemorrhoids. Due to its broad spectrum antimicrobial activity coupled with its selectivity, at systemic level it helps correct intestinal dysbiosis, typical of patients affected by hemorrhoids. GSE also has cytoprotective functions: in fact, by inhibiting the production of proinflammatory mediators, it safeguards the integrity of epithelial tissues and promotes their healing.

Rusco: belonging to the Liliacee family and typical of the Mediterranean area, it has a powerful tonic effect, strengthening vessel walls and improving venous circulation.

Flavonoids (Hesperidin, Diosmin, Rutin): numerous studies have proven their veinotonic activity, with excellent results obtained as they reduce duration and intensity of symptoms typical of acute hemorrhoidal crises, as well as lowering frequency of relapses in case of chronic hemorrhoidal disease. They act by improving microcirculation and vascular tone, as well as reinforcing connective tissue that supports veins.

Vitamin C: it protects cell membranes from the strain caused by oxidative stress; it accelerates healing of wounds, prevents hemorrhages, reinforces capillary walls. It acts synergically together with flavonoids.

Vitamins A and E: their protective function exerted on cell membranes is well known, both in terms of safeguarding them from oxidative damage, as well as because they improve tissue elasticity. They are therefore essential to restore integrity of blood-vessel walls and of tissues supporting microcirculation in the anal area.

Group B Vitamins and Folic Acid: essential to ensure integrity of tissues, as they reinforce blood-vessel walls and help the wound healing processes. Moreover, they enable the organism to best employ nutritional substances, optimizing defensive and healing processes. In particular, Folic Acid (Vitamin B9) has a protective function on the blood-vessel structure, limiting oxidative damage at the level of the supporting connective tissue. Recent studies have moreover highlighted its ability to lower circulating levels of homocysteine, an aminoacid generally associated to the risk of venous thrombosis when present at high levels in the bloodstream.

The ideal form of intake of such ingredients is represented by swallowable tablets, to be taken at the recommended doses, preferably before meals.

3 - To act at local level with specific natural functionals to hygienise, soothe and decongest the anal are.
Nature can help you with…

Grapefruit Seed Extract: for local use, GSE acts as a “selective cleanser”, countering the proliferation of faecal microorganisms in the anal area, whenever there is venous fragility and anal bleeding. It is therefore an essential natural hygieniser, acting in full respect of the natural physiology of the anal area.

Achillea: belonging to the Asteraceae family, it has marked vasoconstrictive, decongestant, astringent and cicatrising properties, and is therefore very useful in case of hemorrhoids.

Hamamelis (distilled water): it is considered to be an extremely valid remedy in the treatment of circulatory disorders, such as varicosities in the lower extremities and hemorrhoids, thanks to its marked re-epithelising, anti-inflammatry and vasoprotective properties.

Chamomile (distilled water): it containes chamazulene, with an antiphlogistic and repairing action, and α-bisabolol, with emollient and calming properties. Applied locally on hemorrhoids in body wraps, it helps soothe inflammations, calming pain and itching.

All the above-mentioned ingredients, included in a specific solution for the anal area, are best conveyed in the form of practical wet wipes, packed in single-dose sachets.

The association of the above-mentioned ingredients, essential to ensure a definitive approach in solving the problem of hemorrhoids, can be further supported by specific remedies where necessary, particularly indicated in order to:

Rebalance the intestinal flora while strengthening the organisms’ natural defenses: single use vials with patented measuring cap, based on probiotics (B. bifidum, L. acidophilus, L. bulgaricus), fructo-oligosaccharides, GSE, Uncaria and Morinda citrifolia (Noni);
In case of constipation, promote selective cleansing of the intestine, introduce fibres, provide the organism with a pool of enzymes to facilitate digestive processes: a formulation based on GSE, digestive enzymes and soluble fibres (Fibersol®-2).
In case of colitis, contrast the insurgence of intestinal gas, avoid fermentation, relieve abdominal tension: swallowable tablets based on GSE, Vegetal Carbon, Spearmint, Peppermint, Angelica archangelica, Fennel, Linden and Fructo-oligosaccharides.
For cleansing: delicate intimate cleanser based on GSE, Calendula, Lactic acid and a surfactant that is delicate on the skin (sodium lauroyl sarcosinate).