Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is found in damp, open woods and along stream banks from Nova Scotia east to Minnesota and south to Georgia. It is a deciduous spreading shrub or small tree with a smooth gray/brown bark. Its astringent properties are extracted from its bark, leaves and twigs. The natural astringent tannins reduce inflammation and stem bleeding. The Native Americans used poultices of witch hazel leaves and bark to treat hemorrhoids, wounds, painful tumors, insect bites, swelling and skin ulcers. They also made witch hazel infusions for conditions including cuts, colds, heavy menstruation, tumors, and eye inflammation. In addition, witch hazel was used in folk medicine for backache, and internally for diarrhea, nervousness, nosebleed, vaginitis, and venereal disease. Eighteenth century European settlers came to value the plant for its astringency, and it is still used today for this and other purposes today.
Witch hazel is useful as a skin astringent to promote healing in hemorrhoid treatment, diarrhea, dysentery, and colitis, as well as other skin inflammations such as eczema. It also has been used as a gargle to treat mucous membrane inflammations of the mouth, throat, and gums. Witch hazel has been used to treat damaged veins, bruises, and sprains; it is also claimed that it rapidly stops bleeding and that it is useful as an enema for inwardly bleeding piles.
The plant is used in a variety of forms including the crude leaf and bark, fluid extracts, a poultice, and commonly as witch hazel water. The latter is obtained from the recently cut and partially dormant twigs of the plant. This plant material is soaked in warm water followed by distillation and the addition of alcohol to the distillate. Witch hazel water is the most commonly found commercial preparation, usually kept in most homes as a topical cooling agent or astringent.
In manufacturing, witch hazel leaf extract, bark extract, and witch hazel water are used as astringents to tighten the skin. They are also included in some medications to give those products the ability to slow down or stop bleeding. Those medications are used for treating insect bites, stings, teething, hemorrhoids, itching, irritations, and minor pain.
In cosmetic products, witch hazel extract is used as an aftershave or a facial astringent, applied to blemishes and pimples, varicose veins, and is used to cleanse oil from the skin, remove make-up, decrease bags under eyes and skin puffiness, and to reduce pore size. It is beneficial for both oily and dry mature skin, and is commonly found in anti-aging products as well as in products for blemished or acne-prone skin.
Witch hazel is a widely known plant with a long history of use in the Americas. It is an excellent astringent herb, it is and one of the best remedies for stopping excessive menstruation and hemorrhages from the lungs, uterus, and other internal organs, this is because the inner bark of witch hazel has sedative and hemostatic properties, that it is good for stopping bleeding. Witch hazel is gentle enough to be used alone, or it may be combined with other ingredients or herbs.
Witch hazel extract has astringent, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antibacterial, antifungal, and anesthetic properties, making it indispensable for a variety of different medicinal and cosmetic uses.
Medicinally, witch hazel extract is used for bedsores, bruises, eczema, insect bites, hemorrhoids, poison ivy or oak, bruises, sore muscles, swelling, psoriasis, cracked or blistered skin, diaper rash, windburn, and sunburn.
Some people apply witch hazel directly to the skin for itching, pain and swelling (inflammation), eye inflammation, skin injury, mucous membrane inflammation, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, bruises, insect bites, minor burns, and other skin irritations.
Witch hazel is taken by mouth for diarrhea, mucus colitis, vomitingblood, coughing up blood, tuberculosis, colds, fevers, tumors, and cancer.
Medicinal Benefits:
Witch hazel when taken as a tea can help to slow internal bleeding.
Witch hazel is used as a vaginal douche (irrigation with a jet of water or medicated solution into or around a body part (especially the vagina) to treat infections or cleanse from odorous contents).
Witch hazel can be used as an injection for bleeding piles, vaginal discharges, and infections.
Internally, witch hazel is used for diarrhea, diphtheria, hemorrhoids, leucorrhea, prolapsed bowel, varicose veins, and uterine problems.
A poultice made from the inner bark is used for hemorrhoids, bedsores, oozing skin disease, varicose veins, and eye inflammation.
Witch hazel combined with a small amount of peppermint oil, it is useful as a mouthwash, for a sore throat, or inflamed gums.
It can even help to reduce bags and puffiness around the eyes by letting a cotton pad soaked in the fluid rest on your closed eyelids for 10 minutes.
Witch hazel is often used as a cleanser or toner to reduce pore size and for the treatment of acne. It is particularly suited to oily and combination skin types.
Witch hazel is also use as aftershave.
It is also used for bruised, poison ivy, insect bites sore breasts, sore muscles, minor burns and tonsillitis.
Preparation and Dosage:
Infusion (leaves): Steep 10 -15 minutes. Take 6 oz. as needed, up to 2cups daily.
Tincture (bark): Take 15-60 drops as needed.
Fluid extract (bark): Take ½ tsp. as needed.
Powder (bark): Take 5-10 capsules as needed.
How to Use:
For conditions such as bedsores, bruises, hemorrhoids, poison ivy or oak, bruises, sore muscles, swelling, or diaper rash, Witch hazel extract can be applied using a compress.
For skincare, Witch hazel extract can be easily added to facial cleansers, astringents, masks, toners, cream or lotion and then apply to the skin.
For sore muscles, Witch hazel extract can either be used as a compress or cream, or may be added to bath water. Athletes rub witch hazel extract onto their arms or legs limbs prior to workouts to help prevent muscle strain, or after a workout to help relieve soreness.
Witch hazel leaves, bark, and its extracts have been reported to have astringent and hemostatic properties. These effects have been ascribed to the presence of a relatively high concentration of tannins in the leaf, bark, and extract. Tannins are protein precipitants in appropriate concentrations.
Witch hazel water, however, is absent of tannins but still retains its astringency. This suggests other constituents may possess astringent-like qualities.
The mechanism of witch hazel astringency involves the tightening of skin proteins, which come together to form a protective covering that promotes skin healing. This quality is desirable in treatment of hemorrhoids (including preventive measures for recurring hemorrhoids). A preparation of tea has been used in cases of diarrhea, dysentery, and colitis.
Skin problems also are treated with witch hazel. Its drying and astringent effects help treat skin inflammations such as eczema. Witch hazel's action on skin lesions also protects against infection. Skin lotions also may contain witch hazel for these purposes. Inflammation of mucous membranes including mouth, throat, and gums also may be treated with witch hazel in the form of a gargle.
Witch hazel also is used to treat damaged veins. Its ability to tighten distended veins and restore vessel tone is employed in varicose vein treatment and is also valuable for bruises and sprains. This hemostatic property of witch hazel is said to stop bleeding instantly and, if used as an enema, offers a rapid cure for "inwardly bleeding piles." In Europe, an alcoholic fluid extract is taken internally to treat varicose veins.
Witch hazel seems to be safe for most adults when small doses are taken by mouth. In some people, witch hazel might cause stomach upset when taken by mouth. Large doses might cause liver problems.
Witch hazel contains a cancer-causing chemical (safrole), but in amounts that are too small to be of concern.
Witch hazel is safe for most adults when applied directly to the skin. In some people, it might cause minor skin irritation. Do not use on serious burns, cuts, or other wounds.
Witch hazel extract is intended for external use, if you intend to use it internally you should ask the advice of a reputable herbalist. Avoid using witch hazel extract close to the mucus membranes or in the eyes, as it contains a small amount of alcohol. It is best to use on this product on unbroken skin.
In some studies, drinking a excess quantity of tea made from bark, leaves, or twigs has lead to nausea and vomiting. It can also result constipation.
Using witch hazel orally is not prescribed because its tannin content may lead to kidney or liver damage.
Using more than 1 gm of witch hazel orally may lead to vomiting, constipation, and upset stomach.
Tell your doctor promptly if you feel any of these highly unlikely but very serious side effects:
Stomach pain.
Yellowing eyes or skin.
Dark urine.
Severe tiredness.
Loss of appetite.
Nausea.
Vomiting.
Light-colored bowel movements.
Trouble urinating.
The FDA has approved witch hazel distillate as safe for external use in skin care products. Sources had reported no known side effects as of March of 2000. However, future studies may provide more information about the safety or side effects of witch hazel.
There are no known interactions with witch hazel.
The following doses have been studied in scientific research:
APPLIED TO THE SKIN:
For itching and discomfort associated with hemorrhoids and other anal disorders: Witch hazel water (Hamamelis Liquid Extract diluted with water) applied up to 6 times a day or after every bowel movement.
Here are a few selected reviews on some of the health benefits of using Witch Hazel:
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Nearly as many uses as vinegar, June 1, 2010
By
Shala Kerrigan (Anchorage)
I love this witch hazel and use it as a base for a lot of things. It soothes scalp itchiness, works wonderfully as a toner, I've also used it mixed with tea tree oil and lavender as a natural liquid deodorant and mixed it with citronella oil and lavender as a bug repellent that also works fairly well to clean up hands when my family is out having a picnic.
It's also pretty inexpensive. A very nice old fashioned remedy that comes in handy to have in your medicine cabinet!
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4.0 out of 5 stars Great but don't go overboard with usage, September 17, 2011
By
L. Minh (Austin, TX)
I've been using this for years. It's a great astringent and very cheap... However, don't use it more than twice a day. It'll strip your face of all your oil and make you break out like crazy. I think the alcohol content doesn't help either in terms of acne. So, I'm going back to [an] alcohol-free brand.
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4.0 out of 5 stars Great!, July 21, 2011
By
Omieluv (Chicago, IL)
This toner does a decent job at moisturizing and soothing skin. Having no alcohol means that my skin does not get irritated after using it, which is awesome. The reason for 4 stars is that it is quite fragrant, which might be troublesome for those sensitive to fragrance. I think I will try a different toner from this product line.
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40 of 40 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing!, July 18, 2006
By
Molly
This is a wonderful toner. It moisturizes without drying, soothes sensitive skin, and the rose smell is delicious. It feels luxurious to apply in the morning to start the day, for a calming lift in the afternoon, or a relaxing way to prepare for sleep. A small amount goes a long way, so I've been surprised by how long a bottle lasts. I can't think of any way to improve this product.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Best Astringent Ever!, July 5, 2010
By
Jennifer Martino... (Gardner, MA)
I started using this product after I saw a review online for good astringents and since I have issues with using certain products on my face. I've got sensitive skin as well so I have to be super careful what products I use to keep them clean. I had been using other products like this one but they tended to irritate my skin then I would get an allergic reaction or break out badly. Ever since I started using this, I have noticed that my skin is cleaner and it is crazy how much stuff this picks up that cleansers leave behind. It's 100% witch hazel unlike other witch hazel on the market. I definitely recommend this product to anyone that wants to improve their skin.
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