Astringents Herbs

Astringents check excessive internal or external secretions, and can tighten and contract the skin and mucus membranes. Astringents may be used for gargles, washes, lotions, mouthwashes, douches, enemas, teas, ointments, and suppositories. The most active astringent herbs are oak bark, bayberry bark, red raspberry, white poplar, witch hazel, yellow dock, cranesbill or wild alum, or wild geranium. For hemorrhoids these high tannin herbs can be prepared as an ointment and a suppository. Add it to gargles, or make it into a sore throat paint with the addition of glycerine. Add it to mouth washes or toothpastes to overcome mouth infections or pyorrhea.