Witch Hazel

Witch Hazel, also known as Hamamelis Virginiana or Winterbloom, happens to be a deciduous shrub or a small tree that is grown prominently in Atlantic North America. Today, the plant is grown in Europe and Asia as well. On an average, witch hazel plants touch a height of 3 to 8 meters, rarely going beyond 12 meters, and bear rich yellow and orange-red flowers in the autumn and continue throughout winter. A versatile plant, witch hazel has many uses, ranging from facial care to relaxing aching feet. Earlier, the leaves and bark of the plant were used by people as poultice, to treat swelling and inflammation. People have now discovered various more ways of making use of it as well. Read on further to know about the uses and benefits of witch hazel plant.

Witch Hazel Plant Uses & Benefits

Extracts from the plant’s barks and leaves are used in aftershave lotions and lotions that treat bruises and insect bites.
It is used as an active ingredient in many hemorrhoid medications, as it helps shrink and contract blood vessels back to the normal size.
The use of the plant serves as a common treatment for the postpartum tearing of the perineum.
Witch hazel is considered to be a good astringent and haemostatic i.e., it mitigates irritated skin, reduces pore size, removes make-up and reduces under-eye bags.
It has been used as poultices for painful swellings, bruises, sprains, skin problems and tumors since a long time, by the Indians residing in North America.
The leaves and bark of witch hazel are used to make tea that proves good for bleeding of the stomach and in complaints of the bowels. Also a tea injection is excellent in relieving inwardly bleeding piles.
Mix one part of fluid extract of bark with 9 parts of simple ointment to make an ointment for local application.
A distilled extract from the fresh leaves and young twigs of the plant is an excellent remedy for internal and external uses, such as nose and lung bleeding.
A pad of witch hazel, along with a lint bandage, when applied to a burst varicose vein, stops the bleeding and often saves life, when applied instantly.
Witch hazel is also used to suppress heavy menstrual flow, control minor pain and itching and provide UV protection.
For household remedy of burns, scalds and inflammatory conditions of the skin, you can use the pond’s extract of Witch Hazel.
Moisten a pad of cotton wool in the plant extract and apply to insect and mosquito bites, to subside the pain and swelling.
You can dilute witch hazel extract with warm water, to use for treating inflammation of the eyelids.
Use witch hazel to wipe diaper rashes for relief and quick healing.
Witch hazel is also useful in preventing infection on cracked, bleeding feet.
It is an all-natural way to treat boils and pimples.
Witch hazel is also used as a mouth rinse and gargle, to soothe sores on the inside of the mouth, gums, tongue and throat.
To reduce pain and swelling during teething, you can rub witch-hazel on the baby’s gums.

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