WITCH HAZEL

Witch hazel is a deciduous twisted shrub or small tree which prefers damp soil to grow in. Witch hazel has gray brown bark and grows to about 15 feet in height. The buds occur in clusters at the bases of the leaves. The flowers appear only from September to November and have petals resembling twisted yellow straps; they open after the leaves have fallen from the branches. The leaves are lopsided at the base, with shallow toothed edges.
Witch hazel blooms in the fall, once its seeds have matured in capsules. At the same time that the flowers appear, the capsules split open, shooting the seeds as far as 20 feet from the plant. Its late flowering and explosive bursting of seed are commemorated in its other common names, winter bloom and snapping hazel.

Witch hazel is a common drugstore item and is sold in the form of a liquid tincture. It is inexpensive, safe and reliable. Tincture of Witch hazel may be used externally for relieving the following conditions: skin irritations, sunburn, insect bites and stings, bruises, abrasions, poison ivy/oak rash, diaper rash, eczema and bedsores. Either soak a cotton ball with some of the liquid and apply that way, or else put on the skin directly with a spray on bottle applicator.

A tea can be made by adding 1/2 tablespoon each of the bark and leaves to one pint boiling water; cover, set aside and steep 45 minutes. Gargle with some of this tea for relieving a sore throat or drink 2 cups for stopping diarrhea. The tea can also be used as a vaginal douche for vaginitis.
Witch hazel is a native American plant, and the topical use of its leaves or bark as a poultice to reduce inflammation was apparently introduced to early settlers by the Indians! Various extracts were later employed both internally and externally for their astringent properties in conditions ranging from diarrhea to hemorrhoids. Then, about the middle of the nineteenth century, a very different kind of Witch hazel preparation was introduced. Prepared by steam distilling the dormant twigs of the plant and adding alcohol to the aromatic distillate, it was designated hamamelis water, distilled Witch Hazel extract, or just plain Witch hazel. The product was intended for local application to various skin conditions; large quantities are still marketed.

Tannin is the principal active ingredient in Witch hazel; the leaves contain 8 percent, the bark from 1 to 3 percent. The tannin has been shown to consist of hamamelitannin and a number of proanthocyanidins. An important factor in the quality of Witch hazel extracts is the plant part used. The bark was found to be thirty-one times richer in hamamelitannin than the leaf extract. A number of other constituents, including various flavonoid pigments are also present, but whatever astringent action the medication possesses seems to be accounted for by the tannin.

Recently hamamelitannin and proanthocyanidins isolated from Witch hazel were evaluated for their mechanisms of action in reported anti-inflammatory activity. It was found that some proanthocyanidin fractions inhibit inflammatory mediators derived from arachidonic acid and inhibit the formation of platelet activation factor, also involved in the inflammatory process. Strong antioxidant activity against super oxides, released by several enzymes during the inflammatory process, may also play a role in Witch hazel's anti-inflammatory effects. A recent controlled clinical study, which compared a Witch hazel distillate (tannin free) cream against 0.5 percent hydrocortisone cream in severe atopic eczema, found that the Witch hazel cream was no better than its base preparation in reducing various symptoms of atopic eczema.

In Europe, an alcoholic fluidextract of Witch hazel is often taken internally to treat varicose veins. Experiments on rabbits have shown that the medication does cause constriction of the veins, at least following injection. The constituent(s) responsible for this activity remains unidentified. Interestingly enough, an alcoholic extract of the leaves was found to be much more active than an aqueous extract. Thus, anybody drinking tea prepared from the Witch hazel bark commonly sold in health food stores should not expect much venous constricting effect from it.
Extracts of Witch hazel leaves and bark are the subject of a positive German Commission E monograph recognized for antiphlogistic, hemostyptic, and astringent properties for the topical treatment of skin injuries, bums, varicose veins, and hemorrhoids. It should be noted that alcoholic extracts of the leaves and bark used in various European phytomedicine products are a completely different delivery form than the tannin free Witch hazel distillate prevalent in the American market.

Witch hazel is well known as a remedy for scalds and burns, swelling and inflammation of the skin and to stop bleeding. Its main action is astringent due to the high levels of tannins that occur in the plant, making it an excellent remedy for internal and external bleeding. Witch hazel has been used traditionally to stop bleeding from the lungs, stomach, uterus and bowels. Witch hazel can be put to good effect for excessive Menstruation and uterine blood stagnation, with a feeling of fullness, heaviness and discomfort around a period.

Externally either a decoction, tincture or distilled Witch hazel can be applied to cuts and wounds, used as a mouthwash for bleeding gums and as a lotion or in an ointment for bleeding piles. The tannins also speed healing, reduce pain, inflammation and swelling and protect wounds against infection. Witch hazel makes an excellent remedy for diarrhea, dysentery, mucous colitis and respiratory catarrh. Witch hazel has been used for uterine prolapse and a debilitated state after miscarriage or childbirth to tone up the uterine muscles.

Witch hazel is used externally as a lotion or ointment to relieve the pain and swelling of varicose veins and phlebitis, the itching of hemorrhoids and to speed healing of varicose ulcers. A poultice or compress will relieve burns, swollen or inflammatory skin problems, engorged breasts, bed sores, bruises, sprains and strains. As a lotion Witch hazel can be applied to soothe mosquito bites and stings, to relieve tender, aching muscles, as a toning skin lotion to tighten the tissues and reduce broken capillaries. Mixed with rose water it makes a refreshing eye bath. A lotion, decoction or tincture can also be used as a douche for vaginal discharge and irritation, or as a gargle for sore throats and infections.

PARTS USED
Leaves and bark
USES

Established properties Witch hazel contains large quantities of tannins. These have a drying, astringent effect, causing the tightening up of proteins in the skin and across the surface of abrasions. This creates a protective covering that increases resistance to inflammation and promotes healing of broken skin. Witch hazel also appears to help damaged blood vessels beneath the skin. It is thought that this effect may be due to the flavonoids as well as to the tannins. When Witch hazel is distilled it retains its astringency, suggesting that astringent agents other than tannins are present.
Skin problems Witch hazel is a very useful herb for inflamed and tender skin conditions, such as eczema. Witch hazel is mainly used where the skin has not been significantly broken and helps to protect the affected area and prevent infection.

Damaged veins Witch hazel is valuable for damaged facial veins, varicose veins, and hemorrhoids, and is an effective remedy for bruises. Due to its astringent properties, Witch hazel helps to tighten distended veins and restore their normal structure.

Other medical uses A lotion can be applied to the skin for underlying problems such as cysts or tumors. Witch hazel also makes an effective eyewash for inflammation of the eyes. Less commonly, Witch hazel is taken internally to alleviate diarrhea, helping to tighten up the mucous membranes of the intestines, and for bleeding of any kind.

Wrinkles

HOMEOPATHY
The chief use of Hamamelis (Witch hazel) is to treat hemorrhoids and varicose veins where the veins are weak and inflamed, and venous bleeding that is slow to stop, such as in nosebleeds. It is good for chilblains associated with inflamed veins.
This remedy also alleviates: headaches that are better after nosebleeds; sore, bruising pain due to injury; painful, bloodshot, or black eyes; and coughs with blood-flecked phlegm.
Pain during ovulation or from heavy Menstrual bleeding, with a bruised feeling in the abdomen and inflammation of the uterus or ovaries, is also eased by this remedy.
Hamamelis is useful in the treatment of depression, when the person wishes to be left alone, wants others to show respect, and feels restless and irritable, with grandiose ideas.

HABITAT AND CULTIVATION

Witch hazel is a woodland tree, indigenous to Canada and eastern parts of the US. Today Witch hazel is commonly cultivated in Europe. The trees are grown from hardwood cuttings or from seed, both of which are planted in autumn. The leaves are gathered in summer and dried. The bark is harvested during the autumn and dried as quickly as possible in the shade.

CONSTITUENTS

Witch hazel is rich in tannin and gallic acid, bitters, traces of volatile oil.

HOW MUCH TO TAKE

In combination with warm, moist compresses, Witch hazel extracts can be applied liberally at least twice each day (in the morning and at bedtime) to hemorrhoids. For other skin problems, ointment or cream can be applied twice a day, or as needed. For hemorrhoids and varicose veins, Witch hazel is often combined with horse chestnut.

SIDE EFFECTS AND CAUTIONS

Witch hazel may cause minor skin irritation in some people when applied topically. Witch hazel is not typically recommended for internal use.

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