Little Witch Hazel: A Year in the Forest

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National Center for Biotechnology Information. American witchhazel leaf. PubChem Substance Record for SID 160687624. Source: ChEMBL.

It’s also sometimes used as a natural remedy to relieve symptoms of other scalp problems, such as dandruff and dryness. East CE, Begg L, Henshall NE, et al. Local cooling for relieving pain from perineal trauma sustained during childbirth. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012;(5):CD006304. Published 2012 May 16. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD006304.pub3 A more modern witch hazel product contains alcohol, available in most supermarkets. The alcohol acts as a preservative for the solution but is not necessary for the medicinal properties. Scalp sensitivity can be caused by a number of factors, ranging from cosmetic hair treatments to dermatological conditions, such as psoriasis or seborrheic dermatitis. As soon as you feel the beginning of a cold sore, dab on a little witch hazel. Witch hazel can get rid of cold sore overnight. It calms the inflammation and prevents it from progressing to the blister stage. Use it regularly on existing cold sores to speed healing. Heal Sore Gums and MouthWitch hazel is an astringent. People commonly use it topically, meaning they apply it directly to the skin. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Tannic acid. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 16129778. Witch hazel works to relieve hives and allergic reactions by suppressing the inflammatory response and soothing the skin. It also shrinks the blood vessels on the skin, calming the histamine response. Witch Hazel for Hives and Allergic Rashes Witch hazel helps tighten varicose veins and relieves pain. Prop your feet up and wrap your legs with washcloths soaked with witch hazel. Witch Hazel Benefits for My Poison Ivy and Poison Oak

Witch hazel may help soothe rashes on the skin, as it reduces inflammation. It is best to avoid putting it on any area where the skin is broken or oozing, however. A thread of loving and nurturing emerges through this treasury of quiet adventures . . . and readers will find satisfaction in seeing the way [Little Witch Hazel’s] sturdy care succors her community and results in gentle reciprocation.” —STARRED REVIEW, Publishers Weekly Reuter J, Wölfle U, Korting HC, Schempp C. Which plant for which skin disease? Part 2: Dermatophytes, chronic venous insufficiency, photoprotection, actinic keratoses, vitiligo, hair loss, cosmetic indications. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2010;8(11):866-73. doi:10.1111/j.1610-0387.2010.07472.x. High-quality studies are needed to ascertain the potential benefits of witch hazel on sore throats.

Witch hazel cleans the skin of dirt and excess oils that tend to clog pores and cause acne. Like hydrogen peroxide, witch hazel with astringent properties dries the skin, and its disinfectant properties kill microbes that cause infection. It shrinks the pores and reduces skin inflammation. With regular use, witch hazel regulates the oil flow in the pores of the skin and scalp, treating both dry skin and oily skin. It is initially drying on the skin when using alcohol preparations, but in time moisturizes the skin and helps it heal. Where Can I Find Witch Hazel?

Witch hazel regulates the oil production of the skin, removes excess oil, and kills bacteria on the skin that cause odor problems. With regular use, it acts as an antiperspirant, but it may take a few days to get perspiration regulated. Use a deodorant as needed. Improving My Mood A thread of loving and nurturing emerges through this treasury of quiet adventures—no creature in the forest is too small to escape Little Witch Hazel’s attention, and readers will find satisfaction in seeing the way her sturdy care succors her community and results in gentle reciprocation.” — Publishers Weekly, starred reviewIf your skin reacts, you may be able to dilute the product 1:1 with water and try the patch test again. What Does Witch Hazel Do? Chularojanamontri, L., Tuchinda, P., Kulthanan, K., & Pongparit, K. (2014, May). Moisturizers for acne: What are their constituents? The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 7(5), 36–44 Witch hazel possesses quite a few medicinal properties. You’ll find the most important ones listed at the beginning of the article. Most people use witch hazel for skin irritations of all kinds and find it effective as an astringent and tonic. It reduces fevers, redness, and swelling. It also constricts blood vessels in the skin to reduce or stop blood flow.

While there is no research to support its use for this purpose, one small study found that a shampoo containing witch hazel was effective in reducing irritation and sensitivity of the scalp. An older review from 2001 argues that while many people use witch hazel to treat varicose veins, more research is needed to determine whether it is effective.While there is not enough evidence to prove it is effective, some people get relief by adding witch hazel to a bath. This may be due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Witch hazel is the extract of the leaves and bark of the Hamamelis virginiana shrub or tree. The leaves or bark are boiled in water to make witch hazel water which contains all of the medicinal properties of the plant. Traditional medicine uses witch hazel water as a tea and for topical use. What is Witch Hazel Made Of?