by Karen E Bucklew

Created on: January 13, 2009

Witch hazel is a plant based astringent that is produced from the Witch Hazel shrub also known as Hamamelis Virginiana (Wikipedia). This plant is found in the North American regions. The astringent is obtained by steaming the twigs and leaves of the plants. Although the base of this astringent are natural; many unnatural products are added to the consumer product. The form of witch hazel available in drug stores today is a mixture of some of the essential oils extracted form the plant plus added ingredients.

Witch hazel has been called many things. Witch hazel may be referred to as hazel nut, tobacco wood, winterbloom, hamamelis water, and spotted alder (answers). The use of witch hazel should be for external use only. Although some articles have referred to its uses inside the body; without a doctors consent this could have adverse reactions.

Witch hazel has many over the counter uses that range from relief of itching, soothing insect bites, and fighting acne. The use of witch hazel in medicinal settings began with Native Americans. Soon after the medical field discovered its use as a mild astringent consumer products were produced for at home remedies. The wide spread use of witch hazel has been around for centuries. There are endless lists of the uses of witch hazel and some have doubt that it is as affective as it was first believed.

Most often witch hazel is used for hemorrhoid treatment, cuts, burns, and bites. The claim that it can help with soothing aching muscles and relieve headaches is listed on the packaging. Folk medicine uses witch hazel for many of its recipesof health. It is important to note that any serious injury should be examined by a medical professional. The witch hazel is not part of the FDA approved medical uses. There are some that have used witch hazel internally for relief of bleeding hemorrhageand diarrhea. The safety of the product taken internally has not been studied in depth and one should only do so at his or her own risk. It is believed that a significant amount ingested could lead to liver damage.

Some may remember our grandparents using witch hazel for many purposes out side of medical needs. Witch hazel can be used as a cleaning tool. This is attributed to the oils and the alcoholthat is included in the over the counter container. Studies are being conducted in Germany at present to see if the ingredients in witch hazel will be sufficient in protecting the skin from UV rays (answers).

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