What is Witch Hazel? | Top 5 Benefits of Witch Hazel. If you are seeking a natural remedy for treating a variety of skin conditions, Witch Hazel may be the ideal solution for you.
As well as its anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and antioxidant properties, it can also aid in reducing scarring and irritation.
To ensure that Witch Hazel is safe and effective, it is important to consult a healthcare professional before using it.
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Introduction:
The herb witch hazel is one of the oldest and most widely used remedies in herbal medicine. Witch Hazel is known for its calming and anti-inflammatory properties, which help treat various skin conditions, calm minor skin irritations, and even reduce the appearance of acne. This versatility makes Witch Hazel well-suited for a wide range of uses.
What is Witch Hazel?
The witch hazel plant, also called Hamamelis virginiana, is native to North America and known for its medicinal properties.
The leaves, bark, and twigs of the plant have been used for centuries by various cultures for their natural healing properties.
In skincare and personal care products, the leaves, bark, and twigs are commonly used to make a liquid extract.
Composition of Witch Hazel:
Various compounds are present in witch hazel, including tannins, flavonoids, and essential oils.
These compounds are believed to contribute to the plant’s medicinal properties. Witch hazel has tannins that are considered astringent, meaning that they can tighten and tone the skin.
As well as being antioxidants, witch hazel contains flavonoids that can protect the skin from free radical damage.
Top 5 Benefits of Witch Hazel:
Here are some of the many benefits of witch hazel.
Hair Care:
The chemical compound witch hazel is useful as a natural hair tonic for eliminating dandruff and stimulating the growth of new hair. It also contains antifungal properties, which can be useful for treating scalp conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis.
Sunburn Relief:
The use of witch hazel can help to reduce the pain and irritation caused by sunburns. Additionally, it is effective in treating blisters.
Wound Healing:
The astringent properties and natural antiseptic properties of witch hazel help to reduce inflammation and prevent infection following a minor cut or scrape.
Sore Throat Relief:
A sore throat can be alleviated with the use of witch hazel, which contains tannins that help reduce symptoms of swelling and pain.
Stress Reliever:
The traditional use of witch hazel has been used for reducing stress, anxiety, and nausea, as well as to calm an upset stomach.
Uses of Witch Hazel:
There are some uses of Witch Hazel are followings.
- It is common to use witch hazel in skincare products because of its astringent properties that can reduce inflammation, reduce redness, and improve the appearance of the skin in general.
- Hemorrhoids are also commonly treated with witch hazel because of their astringent properties, which can reduce inflammation and bleeding.
- Likewise, witch hazel is beneficial for treating acne, as it can reduce inflammation, redness, and the formation of new pimples.
- Sunburn symptoms, such as inflammation and redness, can also be alleviated by applying witch hazel to the affected area.
- There is evidence that witch hazel can be applied topically to reduce inflammation and speed up wound healing.
How to Prepare Witch Hazel?
A variety of methods can be used to prepare witch hazel, depending on your intentions. Here are just a few
Tincture
Witch hazel bark can be added to a glass jar with 1 cup of alcohol (such as vodka or gin) to make a witch hazel tincture. The pot should be sealed and kept for 2-4 weeks, shaking occasionally. The liquid should be strained through cheesecloth and stored in a dark glass bottle.
Infused oil
The witch hazel bark should be added to a glass jar and covered with one cup of carrier oil (such as olive oil or sweet almond oil) to create a witch hazel-infused oil. Seal the pot and let it sit for 2-4 weeks, shaking it occasionally. The liquid can then be strained through cheesecloth and stored in a dark glass bottle.
Decoction
A witch hazel decoction is made by adding 2 cups of witch hazel bark to a pot with 4 cups of water, bringing the liquid to a boil, and then simmering the liquid for 15-20 minutes. Strain the liquid through a cheesecloth, and store it in a dark glass bottle.
Extract
A witch hazel extract is prepared by placing one cup of witch hazel bark in a glass jar, adding one cup of water, and sealing the jar. Let the mixture sit for 2-4 weeks, shaking it occasionally. Strain the liquid, and store it in a dark glass jar.
Conclusion:
The leaves, bark, and twigs of witch hazel have been used for centuries as medicinal products. Several products, including skincare and personal care products, contain a liquid extract made from their leaves, bark, and twigs.
Inflammation, redness, and improved appearance of the skin can be reduced with witch hazel’s astringent properties.
Witch hazel also contains antioxidant properties that can help protect the skin from free radical damage.