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Witch Hazel

Hamamelis virginiana

Witch hazel refers to a small shrub or tree with oval leaves. The tree stems flower in the autumn and early winter months.

Witch hazel grows in parts of the south, midwest and eastern coast of the United States as well as much of eastern Canada. Its spooky name comes from the Old English word wiche, meaning bendable; and its similarity to hazel twigs from England. 

Witch hazel's healing uses were introduced to the early U.S. settlers by Native Americans who had been extracting witch hazel for many years. 

Witch hazel bark and leaves are steam distilled to create a hydrosol or distillate. 

The hydrosol's components are known for the following qualities:

• astringent (firms skin-reduces pore size-reduces puffiness)
• anti fungal
• anti-inflammatory
• antiviral
• antioxidant-rich (think anti aging)
• cytotoxicity (can kill cancerous cells without causing damage to healthy cells)
• catechin (protect skin from UV radiation damage)
• anticancer
• antibacterial
• analgesic (relieves pain)
• antiseptic
• vitamin-rich
• mineral-rich

These qualities make witch hazel hydrosol fantastic for treating everything from acne to hemorrhoids to skin disease and varicose veins.

The hydrosol is gentle enough for most ages and types of skin; even sensitive. It can relieve the itch from eczema & psoriasis, insect bites and poison ivy while helping the skin to heal from the same. 

Use witch hazel hydrosol for healing blistered, bruised, burned and cracked skin. It is fantastic for most skin types but especially acne-prone and mature skin.

As a skin care crafter, I love using witch hazel hydrosol whenever possible. I currently use it in all of my toners and body sprays. I use it in some of my cleansers, too. This gentle hydrosol is safe for use with many pets and so I use it in some of my hand crafted pet products as well.

I even clean my work surfaces with a blend of witch hazel and essential oils.

Much research is currently being conducted on the use of witch hazel and its constituents effect on cancerous tumors and cells, diabetes and arthritis. Very exciting!

PLEASE NOTE: This is NOT the witch hazel you find in your local drug store. Sadly, that product does not contain all of the components found in pure witch hazel hydrosol. It includes the addition of alcohol, usually 14%, used as a preservative. While such a product certainly has its place, it's not one I would recommend for skin care.

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