Witch Hazel Purchase & Information
Alternative Names
Avellano de Bruja, Café du Diable, Hamamelis, Hamamélis, Hamamélis de Virginie, Hazel, Noisetier des Sorcières, Snapping Tobacco Wood, Spotted Elder, Winter Bloom
Scientific Name
Hamamelis Virginiana
Why Do People Use Witch Hazel?
Oral preparations of Hamamelis virginiana (Witch Hazel), like witch hazel powder, are used for the treatment of mucus colitis, diarrhea, coughing up blood, vomiting blood, colds, tuberculosis, tumors, fevers and cancer.
Topically - Witch hazel is topically used for skin inflammation, itching, skin injury, eye inflammation, varicose veins, mucous membrane inflammation, bruises, hemorrhoids, for minor burns, insect bites and different type of skin irritations.
In Manufacturing Practices - Witch hazel water, witch leaves and its bark extract is used in a number of manufacturing practices such as hemostatics and astringents in preparations for insect bites, teething, stings, itching, hemorrhoids, minor pain and for irritations.
Is It Safe To Use?
Likely Safe - Orally consumed witch hazel water used for appropriate time period is considered safe to use.
Likely Unsafe - High dosage of tannins in witch hazel bark can result in liver damage. The volatile oil consists of safrole, which is a known carcinogen.
Avoid in Pregnancy and Lactation - Not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding females.
How Effective Is Witch Hazel?
Witch hazel powder is effective for following conditions:
Hemorrhoids - Topical applications of witch hazel water can temporarily provide relieve from irritation, discomfort, itching and burning related with anorectal disorders.
Minor bleeding - Topically used witch hazel bark, water or leaf as a styptic maybe productive in reducing minor bleeding issues.
Skin irritation - Applying witch hazel cream can be topically used to provide relief from mild skin irritation but less so than hydrocortisone.
How Witch Hazel Works?
The most effective part of Hamamelis virginiana are the bark and leaves. The essential constituents are gallic acid, gallotannins, quercetin, myricetin, kaempferol and catechol subsidiaries. Witch hazel bark and leaves have styptic, astringent and anti-inflammatory activities. The leaves include tannins up to 8-10% and it bark contains up to 12% tannins.
Topical application of tannins, especially on mucous layers or broken skin, prompt protein precipitation. They protect the cell layers and shrink colloidal structures in this way bringing on vessels to contract. The reduction in vascular premiability approximates the anti-inflammatory effects. The astringent effects of tannins also result a backhanded antibacterial impact.
Steam refining utilized for delivering Hamamelis water evacuates the tannins. Therefore, the properties of Hamamelis water associated with astringent result from its 14-15% alcohol content.
What Are The Side Effects /Adverse Reactions of Witch Hazel?
There is no significant side effect reported by oral or topical usage of witch hazel powder.
How Witch Hazel Interacts With Other Herbs and Supplements?
Not known.
How Witch Hazel Interacts With Drugs?
Not known.
How Witch Hazel Interacts With Foods?
Not known.
How Witch Hazel Interacts With Lab Tests?
Not known.
How Witch Hazel Interacts With Diseases and Conditions?
There is no interaction between witch hazel powder and different diseases or conditions.
What Should Be the Dose/Administration of Witch Hazel?
ORAL There is no typical dosage of witch hazel; however two grams of dried leaves or a tea should be used thrice every day. To make such tea, steep two grams in 150 mL of warm water for continuously 5-10 minutes and then strain the liquid. Liquid Extract of Hamamelis (with ration of 1:1 in 45% concentrated alcohol), such liquid should be consumed 2-4 mL thrice every day.
TOPICAL For irrigations and compresses, simmer 5 to 10 grams of bark and leaves per 250 mL of water. As a poultice, utilize witch hazel water (Hamamelis water) diluted or undiluted in a ratio 1:3 with water. Take 20-30% of semi-solid preparations. Semi solid, Extracts and liquid preparations consistent to 5-10% bark and leaves.
RECTAL Suppositories, consistent to 0.1 to 1 grams bark and leaves topically used every day 1-3 time. Hamamelis water and Anorectal disorders applied externally up to 6 times daily or after each bowel movement.
Comments
Particular extract of Witch hazel water (Hamamelis water, distilled witch hazel extract) is refined from dried bark, leaves and partially dormant twigs of Hamamelis virginiana.
General Certificate of Analysis (COA)
Specification sheet links below are a standard copy of the COA less the batch or lot number and manufactures dates. Specification sheet can be dated and should only be considered as a general information. Please contact and request an up to date COA if needed for specific updated information before placing order by filling out the contact form with product name and SKU number. If ordering quantities of twenty five kilos or more contact for availability.
