Witch hazel is a plant native to the United States and Canada and can be used in a variety of ways. The herb is also commonly referred to as Hamamelis Virginiana.
While the plant itself is used in folk medicine, it’s tree and bark are also used in many ointments and teas. Witch hazel is also used in aftershaves to prevent skin dehydration.
The many health benefits of witch hazel have made this a popular herb.
Did You Know!
| There are a total of 6 different species of witch hazel, which can be found in America, Canada, Japan, and China(1). |
The Various Benefits of Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is used in a lot of medicinal treatments and also as a natural remedy for many health problems. Here are some of the top benefits of witch hazel.
1. Face
Why to use?
Witch hazel is a soothing herb and has anti-inflammatory properties which can help to treat a lot of face problems, like acne, burns, and rashes.
How to use?
Cleanse your face with a face cleanser and apply witch hazel as a toner. Take some witch hazel on a cotton pad and apply it over your facial skin. Then apply moisturizer.
How much to use?
Use witch hazel as a face toner every morning after cleansing your face.
2. Acne
Why to use?
Witch hazel is anti-inflammatory and has astringent properties, which helps contract your tissues and shrinks pores. It also relieves and soothes your skin, according to research. This will prevent acne-causing bacteria from harming your skin.
How to use?
Bask in facial steam for 5 minutes and apply witch hazel as a toner. Then, apply a moisturizer.
How much to use?
Use witch hazel for acne 3-4 times a week.
3. Sunburn
Why to use?
Witch hazel is used as an all-purpose remedy for treating wounds, rashes, infection, and sunburns. Its astringent properties will clean the bacteria, and its anti-inflammatory properties will soothe your skin.
How to use?
Place a witch hazel compress over your sunburn to help soothe the skin.
How much to use?
Use a witch hazel compress for sunburn every few hours every day until the burn heals.
4. Eczema
Why to use?
Witch hazel contains tannins, an antioxidant compound that prevents and heals damage to your skin. When applied topically, the herb forms a protective barrier over your skin that prevents bacteria from entering your pores.
How to use?
Mix some witch hazel with a spoonful of honey and apply it over the damaged skin. Leave it on for 5 minutes then rinse off.
How much to use?
Use witch hazel and honey mix for eczema 2-3 times a week for effective results.
5. Haemorrhoids
Why to use?
Hemorrhoids are caused due to swelling and inflammation in the rectum, which causes itching and bleeding. According to a study by Informed Health(2), the anti-inflammatory properties in witch hazel can help to relieve haemorrhoids.
How to use?
Dip a cotton ball in witch hazel and apply it over the affected area.
How much to use?
Use witch hazel for haemorrhoids once a day.
6. Hair
Why to use?
Hair problems can be caused by a variety of reasons, like dermatologic conditions, scalp infections, or psoriasis. Using witch hazel has been shown to reduce scalp inflammation and irritation. Its anti-inflammatory properties can also help to reduce psoriasis.
How to use?
Apply a few drops of witch hazel 1 hour before washing your hair. Ensure that you use a conditioner after using witch hazel.
How much to use?
You can apply witch hazel once a week to treat various hair conditions.
7. Ingrown Hair
Why to use?
Witch hazel has antiseptic and anti-astringent properties that will help to treat ingrown hair. It can not only treat ingrown hair but also prevent the problem from recurring.
How to use?
Take a few drops of witch hazel on a cotton ball and apply it over the ingrown hairs.
How much to use?
You can use witch hazel for ingrown hair 3-4 times a week to get rid of the problem.
8. Poison Ivy
Why to use?
The anti-astringent properties of witch hazel can relieve the irritation from poison ivy and tighten the skin. It will soothe your skin which will aid faster healing of the rash.
How to use?
Mix witch hazel with a spoonful of coconut oil and apply it over the infected area. Let it stay for 5-10 minutes then rinse off. You can also leave the mix on overnight and wash off the next morning. Apply moisturiser after rinsing.
How much to use?
Apply witch hazel and coconut oil on the affected area once a day.
9. Bug Bites
Why to use?
Witch hazel is popularly used to treat wounds and rashes. The compound tannins in witch hazel can help to reduce the irritation and pain caused by bug bites. It helps soothe your skin, which promotes faster healing.
How to use?
Take some witch hazel on a cotton pad and apply it over the bitten area. Alternatively, you can also mix witch hazel and coconut oil and apply it over the bite.
How much to use?
You can use witch hazel for bug bites 1-2 times a day.
10. Yeast Infection
Why to use?
Witch hazel is acidic in nature. Its astringent properties can help to fight the bacteria causing the infection and help improve blood circulation.
How to use?
Take some drops of witch hazel in your tea to treat a yeast infection from within. Edible witch hazel should be used in your tea.
How much to use?
You can take witch hazel infused tea once a day to reduce yeast infection.
11. Sore Throat
Why to use?
Witch hazel is anti-inflammatory and has astringent properties that can help treat a sore throat. It can also help reduce pain, swelling, and discomfort due to a sore throat.
How to use?
In a cup of water, add one spoonful of witch hazel and bring to boil. Gurgle this mix daily.
How much to use?
You can gurgle a solution of witch hazel infused water twice a day to reduce inflammation.
12. Puffy Eyes
Why to use?
Crying, sleeping, or swelling in the eye tissues can cause puffy eyes. The anti-inflammatory properties of witch hazel can help to reduce puffy eyes.
How to use?
Soak a cotton pad in witch hazel and apply it over your eyelids. You can also make a witch hazel compress and apply it over your eyes.
How much to use?
Use witch hazel every night before bed or whenever you experience puffy eyes.
[ Read: Witch Hazel for Bruises ]
13. Stretch Marks
Why to use?
Witch hazel makes a great remedy for stretched skin (or scarred skin). It helps close the skin pores and tighten skin pores. It also helps hydrate your skin which prevents from forming.
How to use?
Apply a cotton ball soaked in witch hazel over the stretch marks.
How much to use?
You can safely use witch hazel once a day over the stretch marks.
14. Gums
Why to use?
Witch hazel shrinks the inflammation and helps heal sore gums and mouth sores.
How to use?
Swish witch hazel around the mouth after brushing and spit it out.
How much to use?
Use witch hazel for gargling once or twice a day to improve gum health.
15. Mood Booster
Why to use?
Witch hazel can be used as a great mood reliever.
How to use?
You can add witch hazel to essential oils like lavender or frankincense and use it in your room fragrance.
How much to use?
Use the witch hazel and essential oil mix to improve your mood whenever you like.
Witch hazel seeds are edible and can be used to treat viral infections from within.
Possible Side Effects of Witch Hazel
While witch hazel has a lot of benefits for health and skin, it can also have side-effects, especially when taken with certain antibiotics or if you have an allergy. Here are some common side effects of witch hazel.
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It can cause skin irritation
While most adults can safely use witch hazel, it can cause irritation to some. To prevent skin irritation, use a few drops of witch hazel and apply it on a small area on your arm. If you don’t experience redness or irritation for 24 hours, you can start using witch hazel safely.
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Stomach upset
Witch hazel is used in many teas, but taking witch hazel in large quantities can cause stomach problems like diarrhoea and inflammation, though such cases are rare. A very high dose of witch hazel might also cause kidney damage.
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Allergic reaction
Instead of treating the condition, if witch hazel causes more rashes or irritation, it is most likely an allergic reaction. If you are allergic to the compounds in witch hazel, you can experience such a reaction. Consult with your doctor if this happens.
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Nausea and vomiting
Witch hazel, when ingested, can cause nausea and vomiting. This happens because the herb contains alcohol and compounds that can interfere with antibiotics.
Some other conditions that can be a possible side-effect of witch hazel are hives, difficulty in breathing, and swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
These are not all the side effects of witch hazel and you should all your doctor for medical advice about them if you feel anything abnormal after ingesting or applying witch hazel topically.
Witch hazel bark and leaves are used to treat wounds, stop bleeding, and reduce eye inflammation.
While witch hazel has been used in a variety of ways, its numerous health benefits have made it more popular than it actually is.
The herb has antiseptic compounds that help treat various health problems. Witch hazel can be used topically to treat skin and hair problems and internally to treat surface health problems, like a bacterial infection.
Always consult with your doctor if you use witch hazel since it could have side effects when taken with certain antibiotics.
FAQs
1. How to use witch hazel?
Witch hazel ointments and creams can be applied topically for infection and rashes. But, before you start using the herbal ointment, do a patch test on your skin to ensure it doesn’t harm or irritate the skin. You can also take upto three spoons of edible witch hazel liquid daily to help fight bacterial infection from within.
2. How does witch hazel work?
Witch hazel has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, astringent properties and the compound tannins which helps reduce many skin problems and reverse damage to the skin. It also soothes and hydrates irritated skin.
3. Is witch hazel good for skin?
Witch hazel extract can be used as a toner to prevent skin damage. The herb also reduces burns, rashes, acne, and eczema. Witch hazel has been proven to help with various skin problems, making it a good solution for skin problems.
4. What is witch hazel good for?
Witch hazel can be popularly used to treat sore throat, hair problems, skin rashes and infections, acne, hemorrhoids, and yeast infections.
5. How to use witch hazel for acne?
Witch hazel can be used as a toner or can be added to a turmeric and honey face pack to tighten pores and clean excess oil from the skin.
