Herbs and plantsWitch hazel — bark and leaves for varicose veins, hemorrhoids, and irritated skin?
Sources: 7 · Article: 12 741 characters
Henryk Różański describes witch hazel as a remedy used both externally and orally.
- Externally, it is used for acne, rashes, wounds, burns, and ulcers, among other conditions.
- Oral use has been described for stomach and intestinal complaints and diarrhea.
- It is also used as a mouth and throat rinse and, for hemorrhoids, rectally.
- Witch hazel preparations are also used in skin care, for washing the eyes, and to reduce eyelid swelling.
What the authors write
Henryk Różański
Witch hazel extracts are used externally for inflammation, skin conditions, and wounds, and orally for digestive complaints.
„Witch hazel, in the form of alcoholic and aqueous extracts, is used externally and internally. As a typical tannin-rich medicinal material, it has astringent, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory effects. Used externally, it reduces skin swelling, limits excessive oiliness, inhibits the growth of bacteria and fungi on the skin, and tightens pores.”Oczar w postaci wyciągów alkoholowych i wodnych stosowany jest zewnętrznie i wewnętrznie. Jako typowy surowiec garbnikowy działa ściągająco, antyseptycznie i przeciwzapalnie. Zewnętrznie zmniejsza obrzęk skóry, hamuje łojotok, powstrzymuje rozwój bakterii i grzybów na skórze, obkurcza pory.
Henryk Różański
Externally, witch hazel is used for acne, excessive oiliness, rashes, wounds, pressure sores, and burns, among other conditions.
„It benefits acne-prone and oily skin, skin with redness, and weeping rashes. It supports the treatment of wounds, pressure sores, and burns. It helps stop bleeding and discharge from wounds and ulcers. It speeds the resolution of cold sores and skin lesions. It is suitable for rinsing the mouth and throat in cases of inflammation of the mucous membranes and gums, after tooth extraction, and for fungal infections of the throat and mouth.”Korzystnie wpływa na skórę trądzikową, łojotokową, z rumieniem i mokrymi wypryskami. Wspomaga leczenie ran, odleżyn, oparzeń. Hamuje krwawienia i wysięk z ran i owrzodzeń. Przyśpiesza ustępowanie opryszczki i liszajów. Nadaje się do płukania jamy ustnej i gardła przy zapaleniu błony śluzowej i dziąseł, po usunięciu zęba, przy grzybicy gardła i jamy ustnej.
Henryk Różański
Witch hazel is taken orally for inflammation of the stomach and intestines, peptic ulcers, and diarrhea.
„Taken orally for inflammation of the stomach, small intestine, and large intestine, peptic ulcers, and excessive intestinal fermentation. It is a good remedy for diarrhea (powdered bark, leaves and twigs, decoction, dry extract).
There is no risk of overdosing on witch hazel. It is a safe medicinal material. Pour 1 glass of water over 1–2 tablespoons of the material, boil for 5 minutes, cover, leave for 30 minutes, and strain.”Doustnie przy nieżycie żołądka, jelita cienkiego i grubego, chorobie wrzodowej, nadmiernej fermentacji jelitowej. Dobry środek przeciwbiegunkowy (sproszkowana kora, liście gałązki, odwar, ekstrakt suchy).
Nie ma ryzyka przedawkowania oczaru. Bezpieczny surowiec.1-2 łyżki surowca zalać 1 szklanką wody, gotować 5 minut, przykryć, odstawić na 30 minut, przecedzić.
Henryk Różański
Decoctions and extracts are used in enemas for hemorrhoids, inflammation of the rectum, and itching, and for vaginal douching in cases of inflammation and itching.
„Strong decoctions and concentrated aqueous extracts are used in rectal enemas for inflammation of the rectum, hemorrhoids, and itching, and for vaginal douching in cases of inflammation and itching. Concentrated and dry extracts are included in rectal suppositories and vaginal pessaries used for inflammation, erosions, ulcers, itching, and infections.”Mocne odwary i gęste ekstrakty wodne – do lewatyw doodbytniczych przy zapaleniu odbytu, hemoroidach, świądzie; do irygacji pochwy przy stanach zapalnych, świądzie. Ekstrakty gęste i suche wchodzą w skład czopków doodbytniczych i globulek dopochwowych stosowanych przy stanach zapalnych, nadżerkach, owrzodzeniach, świądzie, infekcjach.
Henryk Różański
A decoction or diluted tincture is used as a mouth and throat rinse for various complaints, including bleeding gums and tonsillitis.
„A decoction and a 1:5 diluted tincture (1 teaspoon or tablespoon of tincture per glass of water) can be used to rinse the mouth and throat for oral thrush, bleeding gums, periodontal disease, after tooth extraction, and for tonsillitis and candidiasis (for example, after taking antibiotics).”Odwarem i rozcieńczona nalewką 1:5 (1 łyżeczka lub łyżka nalewki na szklankę wody) można płukać jamę ustna i gardło przy pleśniawkach, krwawieniach z dziąseł, paradontozie, po usunięciu zęba, przy anginie i kandydozie (np. po zażywaniu antybiotyków).
Henryk Różański
Witch hazel water is used to wash the face and eyes, and preparations containing the extract may reduce eyelid swelling.
„Serums, gels, and ointments containing witch hazel extract reduce eyelid swelling and diminish bags and dark circles under the eyes. Witch hazel water (a distillate from fresh leaves and twigs of Hamamelis), when used to wash the face and eyes, effectively reduces inflammation, excessive oiliness, and excessive tearing, and helps relieve signs of skin and eye fatigue.”Serum, żele i maści zawierające wyciąg z oczaru zmniejszają obrzęk powiek, niwelują worki i cienie pod oczami. Woda oczarowa (destylat ze świeżych liści i gałązek Hamamelis) zastosowana do przemywania twarzy i oczu efektywnie zmniejsza stan zapalny, łojotok, nadmierne łzawienie i przyspieszają objawy przemęczenia skóry i oczu.
Henryk Różański
Witch hazel preparations are used to care for oily, acne-prone, sagging, and rash-prone skin.
„Witch hazel preparations are recommended for the care and treatment of oily, sagging, acne-prone skin, skin with dermatoses and atopic dermatitis, and skin prone to rashes and telangiectasia. Preparations containing witch hazel extract reduce skin swelling, inhibit sweating and oil secretion, and have a skin-firming effect.”Preparaty oczarowe zalecane są w pielęgnowaniu i leczeniu skóry łojotokowej, zwiotczałej, trądzikowej, z dermatozami i atopowym zapaleniem skóry, skłonnej do wyprysków i teleangiektazji. Preparaty z ekstraktem oczarowym zmniejszają obrzęk skóry, hamują wydzielanie potu i łoju, dają efekt pojędrnienia skóry.
Henryk Różański
Witch hazel water is used as a mouth rinse, while witch hazel distillate is also used to wash the skin and eyes.
„Witch hazel distillate is used to wash the eyes and skin and to rinse the mouth. If it contains alcohol as a stabilizer and preservative, dilute it before use at a ratio of 1:1–1:3, as needed. Witch hazel distillate preserved with alcohol is used undiluted to wash the skin, for example.”Taki destylat oczarowy stosuje się do przemywania oczu i skóry, do płukania jamy ustnej. Jeśli zawiera alkohol jako stabilizator i konserwant należy ją rozcieńczyć przed użyciem w proporcji 1:1-1:3, zależnie od potrzeby. Destylat oczarowy konserwowany alkoholem stosowany jest do przemywania skóry w stanie nierozcieńczonym, np.
Henryk Różański
Witch hazel decoction can be used externally or orally; for inflammation of the digestive tract, take it in small portions.
„Use externally or orally. Drink 1–2 glasses of decoction per day, divided into portions. For inflammation of the digestive tract, take it more often, but in small doses.
Older official witch hazel tinctures—Tinctura Hamamelidis—were made with 60% alcohol: 1 part of the medicinal material to 5 parts of 60% ethanol.”Stosować zewnętrznie lub doustnie. Wypić 1-2 szklanki odwaru dziennie, podzielone na porcje. Przy nieżytach przewodu pokarmowego przyjmować częściej, ale w małych dawkach.
Dawne oficjalne nalewki oczarowe – Tinctura Hamamelidis były sporządzane na alkoholu 60%: 1 część surowca na 5 części etanolu 60%.
Henryk Różański
Witch hazel suppositories are used rectally for hemorrhoids and inflammation.
„Rectally for hemorrhoids and inflammation.
Rx. Witch hazel suppositories: Extracti Cort. Hamamel. fluidi 6.0, Jodylini 3.0 (bismuth iodosalicylate), Ol. Cacao 23.5, Balsam. peruviani 0.5, f. suppositoria No. 10 (make 10 suppositories). Inflammation of the rectum, hemorrhoids, itching.”Doodbytniczo przy hemoroidach i stanach zapalnych.
Rp. Czopki oczarowe Extracti Cort. Hamamel. fluidi 6,0 Jodylini 3,0 (jodosalicylan bizmutu) Ol. Cacao 23,5 Balsam. peruviani 0,5 f.suppositoria nr 10 (zrobić 10 czopków). Stany zapalne odbytu, hemoroidy, świąd.
Henryk Różański
Witch hazel is used on the skin and mucous membranes as an anti-inflammatory and astringent, and to rinse oily hair.
„Used externally, it reduces skin swelling, limits excessive oiliness, inhibits the growth of bacteria and fungi on the skin, and tightens pores. It soothes inflammation. It benefits acne-prone and oily skin, skin with redness, and weeping rashes. It supports the treatment of wounds, pressure sores, and burns.”Zewnętrznie zmniejsza obrzęk skóry, hamuje łojotok, powstrzymuje rozwój bakterii i grzybów na skórze, obkurcza pory. Łagodzi stan zapalny. Korzystnie wpływa na skórę trądzikową, łojotokową, z rumieniem i mokrymi wypryskami. Wspomaga leczenie ran, odleżyn, oparzeń.
Henryk Różański
A list of witch hazel uses includes tinctures taken orally, as well as rubbing and inhalation with essential oil.
„– witch hazel
Tincture of fresh bark, fresh twigs, and flowers, 1:10 in 60% alcohol; 2 ml in 100 ml of water, 3 times daily.
Fresh or dried herb tincture in 70% alcohol, 1:10; 5–10 ml in 100 ml of water. Fresh herb is more reliable. Essential oil: 5 drops in a spoonful of molasses, 3 times daily.”– oczar
Nalewka z kory świeżej, gałązek świeżych, kwiatów 1:10 in 60% eth., 3 razy dz. po 2 ml w 100 ml wody.
Świeże lub suche ziele – nalewka in 70% eth. 1:10, 5-10 ml w 100 ml wody. Świeże ziele pewniejsze. Olejek eteryczny – 3 razy dz. po 5 kropli w łyżce melasy.
Henryk Różański
Witch hazel leaves, bark, and twigs are listed as medicinal materials.
„The medicinal materials are the bark, twigs, and leaves—Cortex, Frons, Folium Hamamelidis. Witch hazel water—Aqua Hamamelidis (Hamameliswasser, Hamamelis Water, Liquor Hamamelidis)—is also available commercially, as are witch hazel extracts of varying concentrations—Extractum Hamamelidis—witch hazel tincture—Tinctura Hamamelidis—and powdered or cut dried parts of the plant.”Surowcem leczniczym jest kora, gałązki i liście – Cortex, Frons, Folium Hamamelidis. W handlu znajdują się również woda oczarowa – Aqua Hamamelidis (Hamameliswasser, Hamamelis Water, Liquor Hamamelidis), wyciągi z oczaru o różnej koncentracji – Extractum Hamamelidis, nalewka oczarowa – Tinctura Hamamelidis oraz sproszkowane lub krojone suche organy oczaru.
Research from PubMed · Europe PMC
We selected 3 studies with the best, positive results. This is a selection, not a full review of all research.
Total number of studies on this topic in PubMed: 2.
A review suggests that witch hazel may support skin care through its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects and its ability to support healing.
Aim of the study: Hamamelis virginiana L. (witch hazel) is a traditionally used medicinal plant, well-known for its dermatological applications.
Results: H. virginiana extracts have demonstrated effectiveness against bacteria, fungi, and some viruses. The extracts also have anti-inflammatory effects by modulating cytokine expression and NF-κB signaling, improve skin regeneration, and protect against UV-induced damage and pollution. This review highlights H. virginiana as a complex botanical resource for use in dermatology and cosmetology and shows that current research offers encouraging results for its future therapeutic use, especially in skin treatment.
Money for the studyuniversity or foundation · Medical University of Lublin
Do the authors have ties to companies?no — the authors say so
Did a manufacturer help with the study?NO
Type of studydiscussion of other studies
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
In laboratory studies, witch hazel leaf extracts inhibited the growth of several bacteria, especially staphylococci.
Aim of the study: Staphylococcal and streptococcal species trigger a wide variety of infections involving epithelial tissues. Virginian witch hazel (WH; Hamamelis virginiana L.; family: Hamamelidaceae) is a plant that has been used traditionally by Native Americans to treat a variety of skin conditions.
Results: Phytochemicals were not detected in hexane and chloroform extracts. Thus, the abundance of phytochemicals in the extracts corresponded with their antibacterial activity. All extracts were found to be non-toxic in Artemia nauplii assays. These findings indicate the potential for WH leaf extracts for clinical use in treating staphylococcal and streptococcal infections, while substantiating their traditional Native American uses.
Money for the studyuniversity or foundation · Griffith University
Do the authors have ties to companies?no — the authors say so
Did a manufacturer help with the study?NO
Type of studylaboratory study (on cells)
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
Witch hazel bark extract showed antibacterial activity in a laboratory study.
Aim of the study: Although many backcountry first aid kits contain antibiotic ointment, the supply can be quickly exhausted if a patient has extensive wounds or if there are multiple patients.
Results: We report evidence of antibacterial activity of bark extract from all four plant species. Our results confirm that traditional uses of these species may be useful in fighting infection and could be especially useful in a wilderness setting when modern antibiotics are exhausted.
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studylaboratory study (on cells)
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
Perspectives and opinion materials
The content below presents the authors’ opinions, interpretations and hypotheses. It is not treated as equal to scientific studies and systematic reviews.
Orthomolecular Medicine News Service Opinion material
„At the very least, I hope to see Reader's Digest interview some of these researchers and physicians who have been studying and using vitamins/supplements in their practice for years, and write another article representing both sides. I once opened a Prevention magazine and counted 18 drug ads and articles before I came to one on nutrition. Should we expect more from Reader's Digest?
You have got to be kidding. You have ignored a flotilla of articles, peer reviewed as well, on the benefits of vitamins for a variety of conditions including macular degeneration. I know this field well as I am an ophthalmologist.”At the very least I hope to see Reader's Digest interview some of these researchers and physicians that have been studying and using vitamins/supplements in their practice for years, and write another article with both sides represented. I once opened a Prevention magazine and counted 18 drug ads and articles before I came to one on nutrition. Should we expect more from Reader's Digest?" "You have got to be kidding. You have ignored a flotilla of articles, peer reviewed as well, on the benefits of vitamins for a variety of conditions including macular degeneration. I know this field well as I am an ophthalmologist.
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