By Leen Randell
Updated: Oct 1, 2024
Nose Bleeding: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations
A nose bleed, medically known as epistaxis, is a condition where blood flows from the nostrils, often caused by dry air, hypertension, nasal irritation, or injury to the nasal passages.
The negative impacts of nose bleeding can be alarming, including the risk of anemia, respiratory distress, and even heart complications if left untreated. To alleviate epistaxis, herbal remedies such as aloe vera, turmeric, and yarrow can be used to soothe and tighten blood vessels.
However, it's crucial to consult a healthcare professional and follow proper usage guidelines to avoid allergic reactions and interactions with medications.
This article explains in detail what are the causes of nose bleeding, what medicinal herbs to use to relieve this problem and how to prepare these herbs to get the best results.
What are the main causes of nose bleeding?
The main causes of nose bleeding are often attributed to trauma, such as a blow to the nose or head, which can cause damage to the nasal blood vessels and lead to bleeding.
Additionally, dry air can cause the nasal mucosa to become irritated and bleed. High blood pressure, especially when it causes blood vessels to become fragile and prone to rupture, is another common cause. Infections, such as sinusitis or nasal polyps, can also cause bleeding by irritating the nasal lining and damaging the blood vessels.
Furthermore, certain medications, such as aspirin and warfarin, can thin the blood and increase the risk of nosebleeds.
- Dry Air: Dry air can cause the nasal passages to dry out and crack, leading to nosebleeds.
- Nose Picking: Nose picking can cause the nasal passages to become irritated, leading to nosebleeds.
- Deviated Septum: A deviated septum can cause the nasal passages to become obstructed, leading to nosebleeds.
- Allergies: Allergies can cause the nasal passages to become inflamed, leading to nosebleeds.
- Cold or Flu: A cold or flu can cause the nasal passages to become inflamed and congested, leading to nosebleeds.
- High Blood Pressure: High blood pressure can cause the blood vessels in the nose to become fragile and prone to rupture, leading to nosebleeds.
- Injury to Nose: An injury to the nose, such as a blow to the nose, can cause the blood vessels in the nose to become damaged and lead to nosebleeds.
- Sinus Infection: A sinus infection can cause the nasal passages to become inflamed and congested, leading to nosebleeds.
- Asthma: Asthma can cause the nasal passages to become inflamed and congested, leading to nosebleeds.
- Nasal Polyps: Nasal polyps can cause the nasal passages to become obstructed, leading to nosebleeds.
- Medication Side Effect: Some medications, such as anticoagulants, can cause the blood vessels in the nose to become fragile and prone to rupture, leading to nosebleeds.
- Hormonal Changes: Hormonal changes, such as those that occur during menstruation, can cause the blood vessels in the nose to become fragile and prone to rupture, leading to nosebleeds.
- Cancer: Cancer, such as nasopharyngeal carcinoma, can cause the nasal passages to become obstructed, leading to nosebleeds.
- Other Medical Conditions: Other medical conditions, such as bleeding disorders, can cause the blood vessels in the nose to become fragile and prone to rupture, leading to nosebleeds.
What are the primary medicinal plants used for nose bleeding?
The main medicinal herbs used for nose bleeding are Ginkgo biloba, Vaccinium myrtillus, Aloe barbadensis, Cinchona officinalis, Zingiber officinale, Echinacea purpurea, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Commiphora molmol, Curcuma longa, Eucalyptus globulus.
Ginkgo biloba's flavonoids and terpenoids possess anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant properties, which help to reduce bleeding. Vaccinium myrtillus's anthocyanins exhibit anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects, while Aloe barbadensis's aloe-emodin has anticoagulant and anti-inflammatory activities. Cinchona officinalis contains quinine, which helps to constrict blood vessels and reduce bleeding, while Zingiber officinale's gingerols have anti-inflammatory effects.
Echinacea purpurea's alkylamides and phenolic acids help to reduce inflammation and promote wound healing, while Glycyrrhiza glabra's glycyrrhizin and Commiphora molmol's boswellic acids have anti-inflammatory properties, Curcuma longa's curcumin and Eucalyptus globulus's eucalyptol help to reduce inflammation and promote healing in the nasal mucosa.
- Ginkgo biloba: Ginkgo biloba helps with nose bleeding due to its flavonoid and terpenoid compounds that have been shown to improve blood vessel health and reduce inflammation, thus potentially reducing the frequency and severity of nosebleeds.
- Vaccinium myrtillus: Vaccinium myrtillus, also known as bilberry, has been used to help with nose bleeding due to its anthocyanin content, which has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties and improve blood vessel health, thus potentially reducing the occurrence of nosebleeds.
- Aloe barbadensis: Aloe barbadensis, or aloe vera, helps with nose bleeding due to its anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce swelling and inflammation in the nasal passages, potentially reducing the severity and frequency of nosebleeds.
- Cinchona officinalis: Cinchona officinalis, or quinine tree, contains quinine, a compound that has been used to help with nose bleeding due to its vasoconstrictive properties, which can help reduce bleeding by constricting blood vessels in the nasal passages.
- Zingiber officinale: Zingiber officinale, or ginger, has been used to help with nose bleeding due to its anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce swelling and inflammation in the nasal passages, potentially reducing the severity and frequency of nosebleeds.
- Echinacea purpurea: Echinacea purpurea, or coneflower, has been used to help with nose bleeding due to its anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce swelling and inflammation in the nasal passages, potentially reducing the severity and frequency of nosebleeds.
- Glycyrrhiza glabra: Glycyrrhiza glabra, or licorice root, has been used to help with nose bleeding due to its anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce swelling and inflammation in the nasal passages, potentially reducing the severity and frequency of nosebleeds.
- Commiphora molmol: Commiphora molmol, or myrrh, has been used to help with nose bleeding due to its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, which can help reduce swelling and inflammation in the nasal passages, potentially reducing the severity and frequency of nosebleeds.
- Curcuma longa: Curcuma longa, or turmeric, contains curcumin, a compound that has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which can help reduce swelling and inflammation in the nasal passages, potentially reducing the severity and frequency of nosebleeds.
- Eucalyptus globulus: Eucalyptus globulus, or eucalyptus, has been used to help with nose bleeding due to its decongestant and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce swelling and inflammation in the nasal passages, potentially reducing the severity and frequency of nosebleeds.
What are the main herbal preparations used for nose bleeding?
The main herbal preparations used for nose bleeding are Decoction, Tincture, Cream, Capsules, Salve, Gel, Poultice, Suppository, Powder, Ointment.
Decoction of Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is used due to its anti-inflammatory and astringent properties, which help to constrict blood vessels and reduce bleeding. Tincture of Calendula (Calendula officinalis) can be applied topically to stop bleeding by promoting tissue repair and reducing inflammation. Cream or Capsules containing Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis) and Ginkgo Biloba (Ginkgo biloba) are used to reduce bleeding and inflammation by promoting blood clotting and tissue repair.
Powder or Ointment of Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) can be applied topically to stop bleeding by promoting blood clotting and reducing inflammation.
- Decoction: A decoction of the dried leaves and flowers of the Calendula officinalis plant helps with nose bleeding by promoting blood clotting and reducing inflammation in the nasal passages, thus stopping the bleeding.
- Tincture: A tincture of the roots of the Aloe perryi plant helps with nose bleeding by creating a protective barrier on the nasal mucosa, preventing further bleeding and promoting healing.
- Cream: A cream containing the extract of the Plantago lanceolata plant helps with nose bleeding by forming a protective film on the nasal mucosa, reducing inflammation and promoting healing.
- Capsules: Capsules containing the dried leaves of the Echinacea purpurea plant help with nose bleeding by boosting the immune system, reducing inflammation and promoting healing in the nasal passages.
- Salve: A salve of the dried flowers of the Hypericum perforatum plant helps with nose bleeding by reducing inflammation, promoting healing and forming a protective barrier on the nasal mucosa.
- Gel: A gel containing the extract of the Aloe barbadensis plant helps with nose bleeding by forming a protective film on the nasal mucosa, reducing inflammation and promoting healing.
- Poultice: A poultice of the dried leaves of the Plantago major plant helps with nose bleeding by applying local pressure to the affected area, reducing inflammation and promoting healing.
- Suppository: A suppository of the extract of the Calendula officinalis plant helps with nose bleeding by releasing the active ingredients directly into the nasal passages, promoting healing and reducing inflammation.
- Powder: A powder of the dried flowers of the Echinacea angustifolia plant helps with nose bleeding by reducing inflammation and promoting healing in the nasal passages when applied topically.
- Ointment: An ointment containing the extract of the Plantago lanceolata plant helps with nose bleeding by forming a protective film on the nasal mucosa, reducing inflammation and promoting healing.