WITCH HAZEL

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WITCH HAZEL Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is native to North America. It isa tall shrub consisting of several trunks branching from one root.Its large, toothed leaves drop in autumn, then fragrant yellowflowers appear in early winter. The black fruits contain edibleseeds, which eject violently when the fruit ripens, hence thenickname Snapping Hazelnut. When the shrub is in bloom, the bark andleaves are harvested for their medicinal properties. Native Americans introduced Witch Hazel medicine to settlers, who inturn used it as an antiseptic. Witch Hazel's name is derived fromthe settlers' use of the forked branches as divining rods tosearch for water or gold, just as the Hazel's branches were usedin England. Since then, extract of Witch Hazel has become a standardin household medicine cabinets. You can make a soothing after-sunointment from Witch Hazel leaves (recipe below). HEALING BENEFITS Witch Hazel has anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation meansheat, redness, swelling and pain. Witch Hazel's ability to reduceinflammation makes it cooling and soothing for inflammatory skinconditions such as burns, sores, insect bites, eczema and bruises.Men can use it as after-shave because of its healing and soothingproperties. Witch hazel is also an astringent herb that can be used externallyfor skin conditions. An astringent substance shrinks tissues andveins in the body, reducing mucus and blood flow. Witch Hazeltincture can stanch the bleeding of minor cuts such as shaving nicks.The herb also acts as an antiseptic to help prevent infection in cuts. The herb's anti-inflammatory properties make it soothing tosensitive, inflamed hemorrhoids. Its astringent action can stopinternal and external bleeding. For these reasons, an ointment madefrom Witch Hazel is used topically or as a suppository to relievehemorrhoid pain, bleeding and swelling. Witch Hazel is a vasculartonic, which means it can strengthen the muscular fiber of veins. Inthe treatment of varicose veins, an infusion should be applied on acotton pad, which must be constantly kept moist. Witch Hazel has other uses as well. The infusion is taken internallyfor stomach bleeding and for bowel complaints. A tincture made fromthe bark has significant antiviral activities. Witch Hazel'sastringent effect comes from its tannins, gallic acid, and volatileoil. Other active constituents include bitters, flavonoids andsaponins. HOW TO USE WITCH HAZEL Make an Infusion (Witch Hazel tea): boil 1 tsp fresh or dried leavesin 1-cup water for 30 seconds, then let steep 10-15 minutes. Sip onecup throughout the day for upset stomach. The leaves have a slightlybitter taste. For a mouthwash to soothe mouth and throat irritations,make a stronger infusion by steeping 3 tsp crushed fresh leaves in 1cup boiled water. Make a Tincture: place 1 cup dried bark and leaves in a jar and coverwith high-proof vodka. Seal the jar and store it in a cool, darkplace for three weeks, shaking daily, then strain. The internal doseis 5-20 drops daily. For hemorrhoids, apply a compress twice each dayby soaking a cotton pad with the tincture. Apply a cold compressexternally to varicose veins by refrigerating the tincture first. Foreye swelling, dilute the tincture 1:1 with warm water and soak acotton pad, then apply to the eye until the compress cools. Make a Poultice: Add enough water to dried, powdered Witch Hazel tomake a thick paste. Apply directly to sore muscles, bruises or insectbites, to stop pain and swelling. Use three times per day for 15minutes. Do not take internally for extended periods, as the tannins in WitchHazel may irritate your stomach. Discuss the combination of WitchHazel and your current medication with your doctor, as the herb mayinterfere with the absorption of with medications containingalkaloids. AFTER-SUN WITCH HAZEL OINTMENT RECIPE Boil 3 tsp Witch Hazel leaves in ½ cup water for one minute.Remove from heat and let steep, covered, for one hour. Strain theliquid (discard the leaves), then add the liquid to ½ cupvegetable oil in a jar. Shake the jar until the oil and liquid arewell mixed, then simmer this mixture in a small saucepan until thewater has completely evaporated. Cool the mixture, and store in therefrigerator. If wish to store the ointment at room temperature, add4 drops tincture of benzoin as a preservative. For sunburn and otherskin problems, such as poison oak, bruises or minor burns, applythree times daily as needed. Do not apply to broken skin. Thisointment can also be used as a suppository for hemorrhoids.