Witch hazel

Hamamelis virginiana

Herbs & Roots. Native American and Western & European.

Also called Winterbloom, Spotted alder, Snapping hazel

Spanish: Hamamelis

Do not swallow

A shrub of the eastern United States whose distilled extract is dabbed on the skin for minor irritation, bruises and hemorrhoids.

Did you know? Its seed capsules snap open in autumn and can fling shiny black seeds several feet.

What it may help, and how strong the proof is

Skin. Used as a skin wash for minor cuts, rashes and irritation. Few human studies exist.
Traditional proof
Pain & headaches. Pads soaked in witch hazel are used for hemorrhoids and bruises. Human studies are small.
Traditional proof

Parts of the body

Skin & hair, Nerves & pain

Traditional use

Native peoples used the bark and twigs as a wash for swellings, sore muscles and skin. Eclectic doctors and early settlers used the distilled extract for bruises and bleeding.

How it is classified

Herbal actions: Astringent, Vulnerary, Anti-inflammatory. Energy: cooling.

How people take it

Used on the skin, usually as a distilled extract on a cloth or pad two or three times a day. Do not swallow it.

Topical.

Where to get it

Grows as a shrub or small tree in woods and along streams of the eastern United States and Canada. Leaves and bark are gathered from wild plants or farms. Sold as distilled witch hazel, creams and medicated pads.

Be careful

Do not swallow. Taken by mouth, it can cause vomiting and stomach pain. On the skin it can cause dryness or stinging, especially in alcohol-based products. Do not use on deep or infected wounds without a doctor's advice.

Avoid if: deep or infected wounds.

Mixing with other things

Works well together
Both are used in soothing skin washes and first-aid sprays.
Works well together
Often combined in soothing skin products for minor burns and irritation.
Works well together
Often combined in topical bruise and sprain products.
Works well together
Both are astringent barks used on skin and minor wounds.
Works well together
Both are used in skin toners and blemish care.

The honest take

Witch hazel is a mild, widely used skin wash. Small studies suggest it may ease hemorrhoid discomfort and skin irritation, but the studies are small. Its use for bruises and bleeding is mostly folk tradition, and it should not be swallowed.