Anal fissure is a split or crack in the opening of the anus – a part of the body where solid waste passes through. This is common in men and women, as well as infants. One indication is that a person experiences painful bowel movements. There could be bleeding, itching and smelly discharge. A person might experience brief or long-lasting pain during, while, or after bowel movements. Severe pain can cause constipation which in turn may lead to fecal impaction – a bulk of solid hard stool that cannot pass through the rectum.
There are general home remedies that can cure anal fissure such as avoiding food that are hard to digest (e.g. popcorn, nuts, chips), eating high fiber diet, and increasing liquid intake to name a few. Doctors recommend using topical anesthetics to reduce pain and inflammation. Ointments which contain nitroglycerin, a muscle relaxant, are found to be effective in healing anal fissures.
Some treatment creams contain Coltsfoot, along with Balm Mint, Chamomile, Rosemary, Althea, Wild Thyme, Vegetable Glycerin, Aloe Vera Gel, Octyl Palmitate, Soy Lecithin, Vitamin A, Vitamin D3, Vitamin E, Horseta, Certified Organic Sunflower Oil, Sage, Yarrow and Witch Hazel all of which are natural ingredients that help reduce pain and heal inflamed tissue. However, many still argue the effectiveness of coltsfoot as cure to anal fissure. If a person has anal fissure, either acute or chronic, and is taking medications, it is not recommended to take coltsfoot simultaneously since it contains astringent properties which can irritate the inflamed skin more.
Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) is a weed-like plant commonly found in Europe, North Africa and some parts of Asia. Coltsfoot is known to thrive on gravelly soils. Its leaves are large and deep green in color. Its flower resembles that of dandelions but is smaller in size. Coltsfoot also has no real main stem. Among coltsfoot’s many names are Hallfoot, Horsehoof, Ass’s foot, and Bullsfoot. Its scientific name Tussilago means ‘cough dispeller’ and farfara is derived from Farfarus which is an old name for White Poplar, a plant that is also compared to coltsfoot in terms of appearance.
Coltsfoot has been used in traditional Chinese herbal medicine since its leaves, flowers and roots contain tannin and amorphous glucoside, both have characteristics that cause anti-inflammation. Coltsfoot products such as Coltsfoot tea, tobacco and syrup are often used as cure to chronic bronchitis, colds, asthma and other lung problems.
Oplopanone, an extract from coltsfoot, is actually a cardiovascular and respiratory stimulant. Its leaf extracts and phenolic components contain anti-inflammatory characteristics and are effective against bacteria displaying an anti-microbial effect. The plant actually contains 4 phenolic acids and 6 flavonoids that serve as antioxidants. Though coltsfoot has antioxidant properties, there is little data or no clinical record at all of its anti-inflammatory success. Pyrolizidine alkaloids are also abundant in coltsfoot, particularly in its roots, which is said to cause liver damage and can promote cancer. Hence coltsfoot has an unidentified safety classification by Food and Drugs Association (FDA) even though it has a long history of use in the herbal medicine especially in China, Europe and Asia.
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