Actual witch hazel as an astringent comes from the leaves and bark of witch hazel shrub also known as hamamelis Virginiana. This is a plant native to the North American area and it has been used for hundreds of years as a herbal remedy for many purposes and today as an active ingredient of many commercial healthcare products.
12 Amazing Witch Hazel Uses
This plant naturally contains some amazing active compounds (like tannins and anti-oxidants) that enable it to be considered as an excellent remedy for conditions like acne, inflammations, swelling, hemorrhoids, varicose veins, various skin problems, insect bites, laryngitis… If you suffer from any of the problems listed below, you could benefit from using witch hazel.
1. Natural Acne Remedy
Millions of people around the world (and not only teenagers) suffer from this annoying problem. The three main causes of acne are excess oil, clogged pores, and bacteria! And witch hazel natural astringent, anti-oxidants, and anti-inflammatory benefits make it a perfect natural acne remedy.
2. Hemorrhoids Relief
Hemorrhoids are enlarged and inflamed vascular structures in the anal canal causing serious problems for more and more people every year. Witch hazel has proven to be very successful in treating external hemorrhoids and providing pain and itch relief to people, with shrinking and healing hemorrhoids at the same time. In this case, you apply it topically directly on the affected area.
3. Stop Itchy
If you have any kind of annoying itch, whether from rash, sunburn, chickenpox or hemorrhoids, you can dab it directly on the affected area and let it work its magic.
4. Heal Damaged Skin
If you have some kind of blemishes on the skin, poison ivy problems, dry skin, sunburns… then witch hazel could be your instant relief because of its excellent power to heal damaged skin and soothes inflammatory processes.
5. Varicose Veins Help
Varicose veins are caused by congestion in the veins when they start to widen and swell and cause pain, usually in the legs area. If you apply witch hazel directly on the affected area, it provides instant pain relief together with reducing the swelling and appearance of the veins.
6. Help with a Sore Throat
Witch hazel in a tea form is considered to be a great, ancient laryngitis remedy, mostly because of its excellent anti-swelling and anti-inflammatory characteristics. So you can use it to treat a sore, inflamed throat.
7. Healing Bruises
Witch hazel is an excellent natural bruise healer! It reduces the swelling, the appearance and skin damages, so if you want your bruises to be gone, apply it directly to the skin.
8. Heal Cuts and Insect Bites
Witch hazel uses are numerous! It is also very well known for its ability to heal damaged skin and to fight bacteria and reduce the swelling. It also soothes the inflammations on the skin. All this makes it a perfect natural remedy for various cuts and insect bites – apply it directly to the skin, with a cloth or cotton balls.
9. Help with Diaper Rash
You can easily soothe and heal your baby’s diaper rash by applying it with a cotton ball or cloth directly to the skin.
10. Reduce Puffiness and Bags Under Eyes
Witch hazel shrinks the blood vessels and provides immediate soothing of the skin. Also, it tightens up the skin. This is the reason you can apply it directly to your puffy eyes or swollen bags under the eyes and get instant relief.
11. Treat Dry Skin
Especially useful after showering, witch hazel can lock in the moisture in your skin. By applying witch hazel immediately after showering, you are locking in the moisture that has just soaked into your skin.
12. Refresh Tired Eyes
Don’t squirt witch hazel in them, but soak a clean flannel in witch hazel and cold water and placing the cold compress over your closed eyes. After 10 minutes, your eyes should be refreshed, and any redness should have gone. If you’ve been doing a lot of crying, this can get you back to normal quickly.