Witch Hazel Oil

Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is a flowering shrub/tree which is common in North America, India and Japan. The witch hazel plant extract is derived from the leaves and bark of the shrub, and offers many benefits and uses especially for those seeking safe and natural treatments.

Witch Hazel – Hamamelis virginiana

At a time when few plants are blooming, Witch hazel adds sparkle to the autumn landscape. The four narrow, crinkled petals of its yellow to cream-colored flowers create a delicate, spidery appearance on bare branches, persisting even after leaf-drop.

Hamamelis virginiana is a deciduous shrub or small tree that is native to eastern North America. It has a short trunk and numerous spreading, crooked branches. The young branches with slender zigzag twigs are brown and slightly fuzzy. With age, the thin bark turns a silver-grey with rough patches. The leaves are alternate, elliptic to nearly circular in shape, and irregularly round-toothed along their wavy edges. They are 2-6 inches long and have 5-7 prominent veins. Medium green above and pale below, the leaves turn bright yellow in the fall. At maturity, Witch hazel can reach 12 to 20 feet tall, spreading 10 to 15 feet wide.

Hamamelis is Greek for “fruit” and “together,” referring to the plant’s habit of producing flowers at the same time the previous year’s fruits mature and disperse. The capsule-like fruit (1/2 inch oval, brown, woody, hairy) contains two shiny hard black seeds. These nutty seeds were savored by Indians of the south. After ripening the following summer, the capsules to split open explosively and shoot the seeds up to 30 ft in all directions.

The origin of the name Witch hazel is uncertain. It may have come from an Old English word “wyche” meaning “pliable”, because the twigs bend easily. It is called hazel because it resembles the hazelnut shrub, though it is not closely related. Witch hazel is also associated with divining for water as its forked branches were used by some early settlers to locate underground springs.

For centuries, Witch hazel oil has been has valued for is astringent, tonic and pain-relieving qualities. Today, it is one of very few American medicinal plants still approved in nonprescription drugs by the Food and Drug Administration. Recent studies have shown that Witch hazel may have antioxidant, radiation-protective, and antiviral properties, with potential for many more medical applications.

In the wild, Witch hazel often grows as an under story shrub, at the edge of a bog or field, preferring evenly moist, acidic soil. It provides seeds for birds, and browse for deer, rabbits and beaver. However, browsing doesn’t harm this plant, and can actually create a fuller shrub. Reasonably care-free, Witch hazel has been found to tolerate urban environments, and is rarely bothered by pests or diseases. The branches can be cut and brought indoors to flower where their soft sweet perfume can be savored.

The only all natural astringent drug product in the world.

Uses For Witch Hazel

Treating Bruises & Blemishes

Witch hazel offers the benefit of being able to remove blemishes and bruises as well as inflammatory skin conditions. Apply to the skin straight from the bottle using a cotton ball or cosmetic pad. Witch hazel also helps remove discoloration from bruises and makes the healing process speedier. It can be applied up to three times daily.

Witch Hazel as a Natural Astringent

A popular use of witch hazel is as a natural astringent. This is because it contains a high concentration of tannins. This means the witch hazel can be used as an astringent to rid the skin of excess oil and clear the pores. There are a lot of contaminants in the air which enter the skin’s pores. The witch hazel, when applied, reduces those contaminants and makes their effects on the skin less severe. Regular use may also prevent blemishes from returning and lessen the likelihood of blackheads forming.

Use to Stop Bleeding

Another of witch hazel’s benefits and uses is that it can be applied to stop bleeding for minor cuts and scrapes. The reason why witch hazel does stop bleeding is because it serves to tighten the skin and this in turn promotes faster healing. So apply it to those small cuts and scrapes to help the bleeding to stop. Witch hazel bought in a store often contains isopropyl alcohol which helps cleanse the wound, offering an added benefit.

Ease an Itchy Scalp

An itchy scalp can be very irritating and annoying. A natural way to ease the condition is to use witch hazel. Just mix one part witch hazel with two parts water and then pour a little of the solution on the scalp. Massage into the scalp then rinse.

Helps Shrink Swollen Veins

Use witch hazel to shrink swollen veins by soaking a soft terry cloth in the liquid and laying it over the area affected by varicose veins. This temporarily removes pain and swelling. The affected areas should be propped up as high as possible during treatment as this will reduce blood pressure in the swollen veins.

Use Witch Hazel for Hemorrhoid Relief

Hemorrhoids to say the least are very uncomfortable as they itch, swell and bleed. One of the uses of witch hazel is to provide relief for the condition. Witch hazel is often an ingredient used in commercial hemorrhoid products, but a simpler and cheaper option is to mix it with Aloe Vera Gel and apply it to the affected area. This will provide fast relief.

Use Witch Hazel for the Treatment of Acne

Witch hazel offers many advantages compared with commercial acne treatments. The commercial products tend to be harsh whereas witch hazel is gentle and non-drying and is ideal for toning and cleansing skin which is acne-prone or actually infected with acne. Witch hazel is perfect for treating the condition because it is a natural astringent thanks to its high tannin content. It also has antioxidant properties. Witch hazel should be applied to acne-affected areas twice a day straight from the bottle using a cotton pad

Use After Shaving or Hair Removal

Witch hazel is perfect for men and women to use after shaving any part of the body. Firstly witch hazel is able to stop minor bleeds such as nicks and cuts, something which can happen when shaving with a wet razor. Secondly the plant extract also has anti-inflammatory properties which can prevent or reduce the effects of razor burn. Thirdly for those who remove hair through hot wax treatment witch hazel is also useful as it can be used as an anti-inflammatory following waxing and help stop bleeding from hair follicles that have been damaged by the process.

Help Soothe Diaper Rash

Diaper rash can cause distress to a baby but this can be dealt with thanks to witch hazel’s soothing properties. It is especially useful if the diaper rash is healing slowly. Apply a witch hazel solution to the affected area and there will be an immediate improvement.

Treat puffy areas around the eyes

Puffy and discolored areas around the eyes are not very attractive but one of the benefits of witch hazel is that it is able to deal with the condition in a natural way and avoid the need to use chemical laden products. This is because witch hazel is a natural astringent able to tighten the skin, treat the discoloring and reduce the puffiness around and under the eyes. While treating puffiness is one of the most important benefits of using witch hazel it is highly important that none of it gets in the eyes, so be careful.

 Soothe Chicken Pox Blisters

Another use of witch hazel is to soothe chicken pox blisters. It is very simple to prepare and involves taking a cup of witch hazel and another one of water. The two are then mixed and should be applied liberally to the affected areas on the body and then allowed to dry. This chicken pox blister treatment using witch hazel can be used as often as needed as it uses natural ingredients with no chemicals.

Refreshing Skin

During the summer people become hot and sweaty and the skin becomes oily. One of the benefits offered by witch hazel is that it can refresh the skin. Just soak a cotton pad with witch hazel to wipe away the oil and other impurities and the skin is refreshed.

Sealing in moisture

Witch oil is great to use after a shower because it seals in moisture and prevents dry skin. This makes witch oil a superior astringent to commercial products as they tend to be drying which is detrimental to people who suffer dry skin conditions.

Beach Stone Enterprises Essential Oils situated at Delhi NCR (India) is manufacturer, supplier & exporter of this product in bulk and wholesale. We offer various Indian Essential oils, Carrier Oils & Aromatherapy Oils on below terms:-

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