Witch hazel is a plant with powerful medicinal properties that can be used in a variety of ways. The leaf, bark, and twigs are used to make medicine. Witch hazel contains chemicals called tannins, which have anti-inflammatory and astringent properties. Here are some of the uses and benefits of witch hazel:
Uses:
-
Skin care: Witch hazel is widely known for its ability to ease inflammation and soothe sensitive skin. It can be used to treat acne, skin sores, bruises, redness and swelling, ingrown hairs, psoriasis or eczema, oily skin, excess sweating, cracked or blistered skin, insect bites, poison ivy, sunburn, razor burn, and mucous membrane inflammation.
-
Astringent: Witch hazel is used as an astringent to tighten the skin. It can be 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.
-
Oral consumption: Witch hazel is taken by mouth for diarrhea, mucuscolitis, vomiting blood, coughing up blood, tuberculosis, colds, fevers, tumors, and cancer.
Benefits:
-
Anti-inflammatory: Witch hazel has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation and swelling.
-
Antiviral: Some studies indicate that witch hazel may be beneficial in fighting certain types of viral infections.
-
Protects collagen and skin elasticity: Witch hazel has been shown to help protect collagen and skin elasticity just as well as many commercial beauty products.
Positive:
-
Witch hazel is a natural remedy that is free of environmental pollutants, irritating ingredients, fake fragrances, and other contaminants.
-
Witch hazel is safe for most people to use for certain skin conditions, even if the research has not yet proven its effectiveness scientifically.
Negative:
-
Some people may have an allergic reaction to witch hazel, so it is best to test it first on a small patch of skin and monitor it for 24 hours.
-
Many witch hazel preparations available for purchase today contain isopropyl alcohol and are not intended for oral consumption and are labeled “For External Use Only”. These preparations should not be used for oral consumption.
Ingredients or materials:
-
The leaf, bark, and twigs of the witch hazel plant are used to make medicine.
-
Witch hazel contains chemicals called tannins, which have anti-inflammatory and astringent properties.
-
Witch hazel extract is added to either alcohol or water to make a concentrated product called witch hazel water, Hamamelis water, or distilled witch hazel extract.
