Witch hazel is a plant native to North America. It has a rich history of medicinal use dating back to the native Indians of old. Well aware of the plant’s medicinal properties, natives and settlers used it for treating various conditions – from inflammation to tumor. Nowadays, you will find it in just about any drugstore in the form of lotions and drops.
Today, people use witch hazel for various purposes. Sometimes it is nothing more than a decorative garden plant. It’s also a common ingredient in skin treatment product and anti-inflammatory remedies. The parts of this plant are rich in tannins, a group of compounds useful for treating various skin conditions.
While the use of witch hazel isn’t as broad as centuries ago, you will still find many uses for witch hazel today. This article looks at the top ten uses for this natural remedy and why you should always have some at home.
How to Use Witch Hazel
Today’s pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry uses hazel extract. The polyphenols and tannins from the plant are derived and added to water and alcohol. You can find various types of witch hazel products. Depending on what you’re looking to treat, you may go with creams or drops.
You can use a cream (or gel) to treat skin conditions. The drops are for internal use, like most other drops. You may drink them straight or add a few drops to your tea. The anti-inflammatory properties may relieve symptoms of flu, cold, cough, etc.
Uses for Witch Hazel
There is a reason why so many people throughout history trusted this plant which carries on to today.
1. Acne treatment
Acne appears on sensitive or irritated skin. Witch hazel products help to clean the pores and oiliness that causes acne. The astringent properties dry the skin and white hazel is also a natural antibacterial. That should help reduce the microbes that cause infection and clean the surface. Don’t try to squeeze the pimple and risk scarring. Instead, put a bit of gel on it and wait for it to dry and shrink.
2. Varicose Veins
Swollen veins are uncomfortable and if you don’t treat them, they feel and look worse. The extract may prevent the spread of varicose veins and temporary ease the pain and swelling. You should peg the area while applying the extract. This will decrease the blood pressure and help with the treatment.
3. Hemorrhoid relief
You will find witch hazel as an ingredient in many pharmaceutical products. Hemorrhoids cause discomfort, bleeding, and pain. This remedy may relieve the pain and treat the hemorrhoids. Some people apply a gel to the inflamed area of the skin, while others add a witch hazel product to bath water. The anti-inflammatory traits should soothe the pain in either case.
4. Anti-aging
The astringents in witch hazel can shrink pores and tighten capillaries. This may make your skin more elastic and smooth. It slows down the production of IL-8, which increases as we age. For this reason, white hazel may extend your skin’s youthfulness.
5. Swelling and burns
Hazel’s anti-inflammatory properties should reduce swelling around your eyes. This swelling creates the so-called bags around your eye era and makes you look tired. Hazel extract is known to increase blood flow and tighten skin and pores. These effects may very well make the puffiness go away. The same traits may soothe and moisturize burned skin. This counts for both sunburns and photoaging.
6. Scalp problems
If you have problems with the surface of your scalp, witch hazel could be an answer. Redness and itchiness are common head skin problems. This causes dandruff and makes your hair look messy and unattractive. Witch hazel shampoos may help people with sensitive scalps.
7. Anti-Cancerous Traits
The antibacterial properties stop the microbes in the pores from spreading. They prevent the kind of cell damage which can lead to skin cancer. Studies have shown that it could stop mutated cell cycles and even result in the destruction of dangerous cells. This can help with the prevention of melanoma.
8. Stretch marks
Stretch marks usually occur when your skin spreads quickly and unnaturally. This is a common occurrence during pregnancy. Sometimes it may happen if you gain or lose weight in a short amount of time. Bodybuilders sometimes face this problem too. Witch hazel treatment may even out the skin and result in less pronounced stretch marks.
9. Bug bites, bruises, and stings
Studies show that Native Americans used this plant for bites and burns. They applied a hazel extract to treat insect wounds. It may also relieve the burning sensation caused by poison ivy and similar plants. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties soothe the area and calm the skin. The same applies to bruising, small cuts, and other impact wounds.
10. Sore throat
Since it has astringent properties, a tea of witch hazel leaves could do wonders for your cold. It may help with the symptoms of a sore throat and swallowing problems. This extends to laryngitis, tonsillitis and many other throat problems. If you have access to the natural plant, you can cook the tea yourself.
Is Witch Hazel safe?
Experts consider witch hazel very safe. Of course, this means you should use it appropriately and not overuse it. The witch hazel gel that you apply to the skin should not cause any side effects. If you have sensitive skin, it would be good to start by applying a small amount of gel for observation.
If you want to consume witch hazel orally, you should probably consult a healthcare professional. High consumption of tannin-rich extracts may irritate sensitive stomachs. They may also affect your digestive tract and liver.
When you consider all the top uses of witch hazel, it is no wonder why it is so highly regarded. The indigenous people of the land loved it, and settlers inherited and kept it as a top ingredient in today’s skin care products.
The plant’s properties may ease various inflammations, injuries, and swellings. It will also make your skin look great.
References:
https://wa.kaiserpermanente.org/kbase/topic.jhtml?docId=hn-2186007
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4025519
https://www.midwifery.org.uk/articles/varicose-veins-and-vulval-varicosities-in-pregnancy
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4158622
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4025519
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25210333
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf802345x
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