The Medicinal Herb Info site was created to help educate visitors about the often forgotten wisdom of the old ways of treating illnesses. Many of today's drugs and medicines were originally derived from natural ingredients, combinations of plants and other items found in nature.

We are not suggesting that you ignore the help of trained medical professionals, simply that you have additional options available for treating illnesses. Often the most effective treatment involves a responsible blend of both modern and traditional treatments.

We wish you peace and health!

Nosebleeds

Definition

Hemorrhage or bleeding from the nose.
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Causes

Commonly caused by physical injury, such as a blow to the nose. Excessive dryness (causing the nasal membranes to crack, form crusts, and bleed), sudden change in atmospheric pressure, scratching with the fingernail, or blowing the nose too forcefully can also cause injury to the nasal lining.
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Symptoms

There are 2 types of nosebleeds: anterior and posterior. A posterior nosebleed primarily affects the elderly, especially if they have high blood pressure. This nosebleed comes from the rear of the nose and runs down the back of the mouth into the throat no matter what position the person is in. If severe, it can flow in both directions. This type of nosebleed requires the care of a doctor.

The anterior nosebleed is the common type and flows from the front part of the nose. If one stands or sits, the flow of blood comes out of one or both nostrils. When lying down, it may go back into the throat. This nosebleed can be frightening, but is not serious unless it can not be stopped and the bleeding is heavy.
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Treatment

To stop an anterior nosebleed:

  1. blow all the clots out of both nostrils.
  2. sit up in a chair and lean forward (do not tilt the head backward).
  3. put a small piece of gauze inside the nostril(s), then pinch all the soft parts of the nose together between thumb and index finger. Hold for 5 minutes.
  4. apply crushed ice or cold washcloths to the nose, neck, and cheek.
  5. if the bleeding has stopped, lie back and refrain from any activity for a few hours and any vigorous exercise for at least 2 days.
  6. if the bleeding does not stop with this treatment, see the doctor immediately.

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Herbs
  • Adder’s tongue
  • Alfalfa
  • Aloe vera
  • Alum, wild root
  • Anemone, Canada
  • Bayberry bark
  • Bee balm
  • Bergamot, wild
  • Beth root
  • Buckthorn
  • Celandine
  • Comfrey
  • Cranesbill, spotted
  • Daylily
  • Goldenseal
  • Horseweed
  • Kale
  • Lobelia, great
  • Lycium, root
  • Marshmallow root
  • Moss, club
  • Myrtle, wax
  • Mugwort, western
  • Nettle
  • Oak, white
  • Peony, tree
  • Witch hazel
  • Yarrow

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Recommendations

When bleeding is controlled, apply a small amount of vitamin E; open a capsule and apply inside the nose. If unavailable, use a small amount of petroleum jelly and pack with gauze.

Vitamin K is essential for normal blood clotting. Sources are alfalfa, kale, and all dark green leafy vegetables.

When the nasal membranes become sore from dryness, use comfrey ointment or aloe vera.

If you have recurrent nosebleeds, see the doctor.
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Suggestions

Try increasing the environmental humidity.

Sometimes a blood thinner such as Coumadin, Heparin, or aspirin may cause nosebleeds.

Small children may have a blood vessel close to the surface area in the nose and reduced moisture in the atmosphere will cause this vessel to bleed intermittently. A doctor can use a cold cautery method of silver nitrate stick to seal the vessel and end the occasional bleeding.
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Bibliography

Buy It! Back to Eden, by Jethro Kloss; Back to Eden Publishing Co., Loma Linda, CA 92354, Original copyright 1939, revised edition 1994

Buy It! The Herb Book, by John Lust, Bantam Books, 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY. copyright 1974.

Buy It! Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants, by Steven Foster and James A. Duke., Houghton Mifflin Company, 215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10000

Buy It! The Nature Doctor: A Manual of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, by Dr. H.C.A. Vogel; Keats Publishing, Inc., 27 Pine Street (Box 876) New Canaan, CT. 06840-0876. Copyright Verlag A. Vogel, Teufen (AR) Switzerland 1952, 1991

Buy It! The Complete Medicinal Herbal, by Penelope Ody, Dorling Kindersley, Inc, 232 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016, First American Edition, copyright 1993

Buy It! Indian Herbalogy of North America, by Alma R. Hutchens, Shambala Publications, Inc., Horticultural Hall, 300 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, 1973

Buy It! Planetary Herbology, by Michael Tierra, C.A., N.D., O.M.D., Lotus Press, PO Box 325, Twin Lakes. WI 53181., Copyright 1988, published 1992

Buy It! The Yoga of Herbs: An Ayurvedic Guide to Herbal Medicine, by Dr. David Frawley & Dr. Vasant Lad, Lotus Press, Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, Second edition, 1988.

Buy It! Prescription for Nutritional Healing, Fifth Edition: A Practical A-to-Z Reference to Drug-Free Remedies Using Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs & Food Supplements, by James F. Balch, M.D. and Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C., Avery Publishing Group, Inc., Garden City Park, NY

Buy It! Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary, 15th Edition, F. A. Davis Company, 1915 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103

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