It is a plant whose leaves, bark, and twigs are used to make medicine. You may have seen products called witch hazel water, which is distilled witch hazel extract. This liquid is distilled from the dried leaves, bark, and partially dormant twigs of witch hazel plant.
Why use Witch hazel?
A look at the applications of Witch hazel
Witch hazel can be taken by orally for diarrhea, mucous colitis, vomiting blood, coughing up blood, tuberculosis, colds, fevers. Some people apply witch hazel to the skin for itching, pain and inflammation, skin injury, mucous membrane irritation, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, sensitive scalp, bruises, insect bites, minor burns, acne, and other skin irritations.
In manufacturing, witch hazel leaf and, bark extract, and witch hazel water are utilized as astringents to tighten the skin. They are also added in some medications to give those products the capability to slow down or stop bleeding. Those medications are used for nursing insect bites, stings, teething, hemorrhoids, itching, irritations, and minor pain.
Uses For Witch Hazel
The skin is our largest, most exposed organ. It can be a powerful ally in defending and healing the skin. Witch hazel can alleviate many skin conditions, including:
Swelling and discoloration
The extract is a rich source of astringent compounds that make proteins in skin cells draw tightly together, shrinking the pores and constricting capillaries near the skinu2019s surface. It also inhibits the production of IL-8, a blood-borne inflammatory agent that increases as we age. Puffiness or eye bags under the eyes can be treated by dabbing the area before you sleep with a cotton ball dipped in a water-alcohol solution of witch hazel.
Varicose veins
Applying an ointment at least three times daily for two or more weeks to see noticeable results.Hemorrhoids: It is also used in treating the swollen veins a symptom of hemorrhoids. Disposable diapers pre-soaked in a witch hazel solution are made specifically for this purpose.
Skin irritation
Witch hazel is an effective and safe treatment for certain skin disorders in children up to age 11. Adults might experience similar results.
Sunburn
A witch hazel lotion reduces sunburn irritation roughly twice as well as other commonly used sunburn lotions. Witch hazelu2019s antioxidant polyphenolic components appear to protect the skin from sunburn and photoaging.
Scalp problems
Witch hazel-based shampoo can be used by persons with sensitive scalps including inflammatory conditions such as red scalp and scalp burnout.
Bug bites and stings
Witch hazel extract can be applied topically to insect bites and stings to reduce both itching and swelling. A safe, effective insect repellent can be made from a half-and-half solution of a witch hazel water-alcohol solution and distilled water, along with 30 drops of an essential oil such as citronella, rosemary, eucalyptus, or mint. Combine them in a spray bottle and shake well before using.
Stretch marks
Witch hazel has been used to both lighten the color and reduce the skin puckering quality of post-pregnancy stretch marks.
Bleeding
Itu2019s skin tightening and blood-vessel-constricting effects make it a fast, effective remedy for stopping bleeding from minor cuts and abrasions. A dab of witch hazel can be a useful, natural alternative to a styptic pencil, which uses aluminum sulfate to stop blood flow.
General skin problems
It could be used to help treat skin conditions like acne, bruises, ingrown hairs, oily skin, poison ivy inflammation, and razor burn.
Precautions to be taken when using Witch hazel
Witch hazel is most likely safe for most adults when applied topically to the skin. In some, it can cause minor skin irritation. It is possibly safe for most adults when small doses are taken by mouth. In some, witch hazel might cause stomach upset when ingested. Large doses of witch hazel might cause liver problems. Witch hazel contains a cancer-causing chemical known as safrole, but in amounts that are too small to be of concern. Witch hazel is quite possibly safe for use by children when applied directly to the skin. Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should stay on the safe side and avoid using witch hazel as there is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking it.
Is Witch hazel safe for consumption?
Many can use witch hazel safely with minimal risk of unfavorable side effects. Therefore, itu2019s best only to use small amounts orally and to discuss any side effects or concerns with your doctor. Witch hazel can be safely used on your skin several times per day, and small amounts can be ingested orally with minimal risk of side effects. Although it is generally safe, there are some points to keep in mind when using herbal remedies that have witch hazel.It is most often used topically in the form of lotions, poultices, and creams, but it is also combined in tinctures and teas for internal use. It is not recommended as a general daily beverage, but it may be consumed by those with hemorrhoids, diarrhea, or weak, lax uterus, veins, and intestines.
How to use witch hazel?
How to Safely Use Witch Hazel?
Ointments and extracts can be used directly to your skin several times daily and safely administered for the treatment of hemorrhoids after each bowel movement. Some may experience skin irritation or allergic reactions after using witch hazel topically. Doing an initial skin patch test can help prevent unwanted side effects and skin reactions. Also, while taking 3u20134 teaspoons (15u201320 ml) of witch hazel per day is usually considered safe, ingesting large amounts may cause stomach irritation and vomiting. Below are some Witch hazel recipes
Witch hazel for a sore throat
Because of its capacity to lessen inflammation and act as an astringent, witch hazel is sometimes used to treat sore throats. Boiling a teaspoon (5 ml) of witch hazel in one cup (240 ml) of water for about 10 minutes, then gargling with the mixture, may provide relief. This is believed to help lessen swelling, minimize pain and dry excess mucus caused by a sore throat. Yet, even though the anti-inflammatory qualities of witch hazel are well documented, its use for healing sore throats is based solely on anecdotal evidence. Besides, taking witch hazel orally may cause stomach irritation due to its high tannin content, so itu2019s important to proceed with caution and consult your doctor if you have any concerns.
Witch hazel as a tincture
Use about a 1/8 to 1/2 a teaspoon, two to six times a day.
How to make a witch hazel tincture?
Prune a pound of fresh twigs from shrubs as soon as they flower. This produces the strongest tonic. Remove the leaves and flowers and save these for tea sachets and chop the twigs into a coarse mulch using a mechanical mulcher or pruning clippers. Place the cut twigs into a stainless steel pot. Cover the twigs with distilled water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to simmer, then cover and cook for at least eight hours; add water as needed to cover the mulch. Let it cool down to room temperature. Pour the tonic through a funnel with a cheesecloth filter into a clean plastic squeeze bottles or other tightly-capped containers. Use it within a week unless it is kept in a fridge. You can store your tonic for long-term room temperature storage by combining nine ounces of vodka or grain alcohol to 23 ounces of tonic. This will yield about one gallon.
Witch hazel as a herbal tea
Drinking several cups daily, when needed. Limit its use to several weeks per duration. When it comes to drinking any kind of herbal teas, you will find that they all have the various ways that they help with your health.
Witch hazel tea for respiratory illness
One of witch hazel tea perks is that it can help with respiratory illnesses. There are ingredients in the plantu2019s leaves and bark that have calming effects on the lungs, especially during an asthma attack. You would not drink it to help with an asthma attack, rather you would want to soak a warm compress in the liquid and place it on the chest and neck of the person having the attack. Other respiratory illnesses drinking the herbal drink would help as well.
Witch hazel tea for sore throats
It can aid with soothing sore throats, just like it can help soothe asthma attacks, drinking this herbal drink will help soothe a sore throat when drunk. The effect that it has on the sore throat should endure for a while after you are done drinking the remedy. However, once it wears off, you will have to take care about drinking too much. It is best to restrict this remedy to just three cups a day for your sore throat. You can use throat lozenges and sprays to help soothe it.
Witch hazel tea as an anti-inflammatory
Witch hazel tea works as an anti-inflammatory. Not only does this herbal remedy help reduce inflammation caused by arthritis, but it also assists with skin inflammation and internal inflammation of organs. For internal inflammation, you will want to drink the remedy. If it is skin inflammation, then you would do well to use a cotton ball soaked in it to the area that is affected. Of course, if it gets worse, you need to consult a doctor.
Witch Hazel Precautions and Warnings?
Do not use commercial witch hazel preparations internally if they contain isopropyl alcohol, which is poisonous.The tannins in it can cause nausea if you take it too frequently or take too large a dose at once. When taken in the proper amounts, witch hazel can help dry out oily skin, shrink swollen tissue and relieve some ailments. Just be sure to use it with caution and be aware of what other things it is mixed within lotions and other compounds.
Stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, and constipation may occur. If any of these problems continue, visit your doctor promptly. Tell your physician immediately if you have any of these highly unlikely but very serious side effects: stomach pain, yellowing eyes or skin, dark urine. If you see other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or medical caregiver.Liquid forms of this product may have alcohol. Inquire from your pharmacist about the safe use of this product, use with other medications and use with alcoholic beverages. Hamamelis leaf is not advised for use during pregnancy. Consult your doctor before using this product. Because of the potential risk to the infant, breastfeeding while using this product is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding. If overdose is speculated, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.
