Witch Hazel Extract (Hamamelis virginiana)

A well-known garden ornamental and source of the distilled commercial preparation also known as witch hazel. Forked Hamamelis branches were employed as divining rods by water diviners in North America, and Indians brought the medicinal virtues of the plant to the notice of European settlers.

Hamamelis was included in the United States Pharmacopeia of 1882, and the leaves are still included in some national pharmacopoeias today.

The name hamamelis is from the Greek words for apple and together, since the flowers and fruit are produced at the same time.

The bark and leaves of Witchhazel have a traditional use in herbal medicine for conditions such as haemorrhoids, colitis and to relieve bruising and swelling due to trauma or inflammation. Witchhazel is strongly astringent and anti-inflammatory.

These therapeutic properties have been applied to cosmetic and natural skin care preparations for many years and Witchhazel is commonly found in toning lotions, creams and facial masks. Cosmetically it is effective where there is puffy skin, for puffiness around the eyes and to generally improve skin tone and can be found in Wildcrafted Milk of Roses Toner and Wildcrafted Wild Herb Toner.