A – Z of Herbal Remedies

Other Names: Witch Hazel, Hazel Nut, Bending Elder, Spotted Alder, Striped Alder, Winterbloom, Tobacco Wood, Snapping Hazelnut, Hamamelis Virginiana
Traditional Usages: Stopping Internal and External Haemorrhages, Piles, Diarrhea, Dysentery and Mucous Discharges, Tuberculosis, Gonorrhea, Poultice for Bruises, Swellings, Inflammation and Tumours, As Tea for Bleeding Stomach and Bowel Complaints, Varicose Veins, Burns, Stings and Insect and Mosquito Bites, Inflammation of the Eyelids, Conjunctivitis, Acne, Skin Toner - Decrease bags under the Eyes, Skin Puffiness, Anti-aging, Haemorrhoids, Laryngitis, Swab for outer ear infections, Poultice for tumours and swellings, Loose Vagina
Resources: US, Canada, Europe, Asia,
Parts Used: Dried Bark, Fresh and Dried Leaves
Administration Method: Cut witch hazel leaves and bark for internal and external use. Suggested dosage unless otherwise prescribed:
Internal Use (mucous membranes): Suppositories 1 - 3 times daily, witch hazel water undiluted or diluted.
External Use: Water steam distillate (witch hazel water) undiluted or diluted 1:3 with water;
For poultices, 20 - 30 percent in semi-solid preparations.
Extract preparations: Semi-solid and liquid preparations, corresponding to 5 - 10 percent drug.
Decoctions of 5 - 10 g of herb per cup (250 ml) of water for compresses and irrigations.  
Herb Action: Astringent, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, mildly sedating, mildly antibiotic, stops bleeding
Herbal Research: Witch Hazel

Health Warning: Avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Never take commercial Witch Hazel internally - it is for topical use only as creams, lotions, foams, gels and ointments..
NOTE:  It is not to be confused with Hazelnut bark, to which it bears a resemblance in name and appearance.

Witch Hazel – Herbal  remedy for Anal Bleeding: Dr. Martin Schuster, a doctor at the Francis Scott Key Medical Centre, USA states that witch hazel is one of the best home remedies for bleeding hemorrhoids. Soak a cotton ball with witch hazel and apply the cotton ball to your rectum. Schuster claims that witch hazel shrinks blood vessels and stops bleeding. For extra cooling relief, keep the bottle of witch hazel in the refrigerator or on ice.

Witch Hazel - Herbal  remedy for Bacterial Vaginitis: Witch hazel has astringent qualities.Witch hazel, also known as winter bloom or spotted alder, is actually a flowering shrub common in North America. The leaves, bark and twigs of witch hazel are high in tannins. Tannins are found in any natural astringent because of their ability to tighten, dry and harden tissues. The witch hazel water you can buy at certain chemists and at any health store is actually a steam distillation of the bark, leaves and twigs of the shrub itself. Witch hazel (the astringent) has a wonderfully clean smell. Add one tablespoon of witch hazel water to a basin of warm water and wash the vagina four times daily until condition improves.

Witch Hazel – Herbal  remedy for Nappy Rash:  Witch hazel can be found in cream, ointment or liquid form. There are no known side effects to using witch hazel.  This cream should only be used externally for a short time. Just apply some cream to the affected area.
Health Warning: However, this herb should be used under a medical doctor's care, especially if consistent use of this herb is deemed necessary.

Witch Hazel – Herbal  remedy for Body Rash: Witch hazel contains tannins that have the ability to help heal inflammations of the skin. Witch hazel can be found in cream, ointment or liquid form. There are no known side effects to using witch hazel.

Witch Hazel - Herbal  remedy for Piles: Use witch hazel to treat the bleeding, swelling and itching associated with hemorrhoids. Coat a cotton ball in witch hazel. Lie down on the bed and apply the coated cotton ball on the swollen hemorrhoid for five minutes. Soak a few layers of soft toilet paper in witch hazel, use the toilet paper to cleanse the anus and rectum after each bowel movement. You can substitute hypo-allergenic baby wipes coated in witch hazel for liquid witch hazel. Witch hazel can be found in most pharmacies and is sold as a treatment for hemorrhoids in a number of forms including pads, lotions, tinctures and suppositories. You can also brew a witch hazel tea that can be used in compresses that are applied directly to external hemorrhoids.

Witch Hazel - Herbal  remedy for Rashes: Witch hazel contains tannins that have the ability to help heal inflammations of the skin, diaper rash, eczema, sunburn, insect bites and bed sores. It also contains astringent-like properties that can help reduce swelling on contact and relieve some of the pain often associated with these skin conditions. Witch hazel can be found in cream, ointment or liquid form. There are no known side effects to using witch hazel.
Health Warning: However this herb should only be used under a medical doctor's instructions, especially if consistent use of this herb is deemed necessary.

Witch Hazel - Herbal  remedy for Hemorrhoids:  Apply witch hazel with a sterile cotton pad 3 times daily to shrink the swollen veins. Add a quarter cup of witch hazel to a basin of warm water. Sit in it for at least 15 minutes, twice a day.

Witch Hazel - Herbal  remedy for Varicose Veins: It is very good for varicose veins due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Apply as a cold compress twice a day. Infuse the herb in hot water. Let it cool down. Soak a face cloth in cold infusion and apply on affected area.

• Anal Bleeding
• Bacterial Vaginitis
• Body Rash
• Haemorrhoids, piles
• Nappy Rash
• Piles, Haemorrhoids
• Rashes
• Rectal Bleeding
• Varicose Veins