Witch hazel is an astringent produced from the leaves and bark of the North American Witch Hazel shrub (Hamamelis Virginiana), which grows naturally in large parts of North America. This plant extract was widely used for medicinal purposes by American Indians and is a component of a variety of commercial healthcare and cosmetic products.
Native Americans produced witch hazel extract by boiling the stems of the shrub and producing a decoction, which was used to treat swellings, inflamations, and tumors. Early settlers in New England adopted the remedy from the natives, and its use became widely established in the United States. A missionary, Dr. Charles Hawes, learned of the preparation’s therapeutic properties, and then determined that the product of distillation of the plant’s twigs was even more effective. “Hawes Extract” was first produced and sold in Essex, Connecticut, in 1846, by druggist and chemist Alvan Whittemore. Hawes’ process was further refined by Tomas Newton Dickenson, Sr., who is credited with starting the commercial production of witch hazel extract in 1866. Following his death his two sons, Thomas and Everett Dickinson, each inherited parts of the family business and continued the manufacture of witch hazel extract, operating competing “Dickinson’s” businesses that eventually merged in 1997 as Dickinson Brands.
Some of the major uses for Witch Hazel include:
- Applying witch hazel bark, leaf, or water to the skin seems to reduce minor bleeding.
- Applying witch hazel water to the skin may help to temporarily relieve itching, discomfort, irritation, and burning due to hemorrhoids and other anal disorders.
- Applying witch hazel cream seems to relieve mild skin irritation (though not as well as hydrocortisone).
- Witch hazel can be used on sores, bruises and swelling. For this purpose, witch hazel is often used in a liquid astringent form. It can be applied several times a day to provide soothing relief to injuries.
- Witch hazel’s antioxidant and astringent properties make it effective against acne. For the treatment of acne, witch hazel is also often used in its astringent form. It is gentle and non-drying to the skin, unlike many harsh acne medications found in drug stores.
- Skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema can be treated with witch hazel. These conditions are unsightly and painful, but witch hazel can soothe both the visible symptoms and the pain associated with them. These characteristics also make witch hazel a good option for sunburn. For these types of conditions, witch hazel may be better used in a cream preparation.
- Witch hazel is a good choice for treating exposure to poison ivy. Witch hazel is gentle yet effective against the itching and swelling of the outbreaks that result from contact with the plant.
- Witch hazel MAY be effective against varicose veins (though has not been proven).
I recently picked up some witch hazel hydrosol. It’s all natural water based with no alcohol.it works just as well as my store bought stuff but has a much better scent, very veggie like smell. It’s also a lot pricier than the store bought stuff. But either way I’m a big fan of witch hazel
I have heard a few dermatologists recommend witch hazel for zits but I am reluctant to try anything besides Citrus Clear because it has been the only products that control my oily skin and acne. It dries it out and prevents it from becoming be a horrible, noticeable, angry, red, zit that everyone stares at in business meetings. I wash with Citrus Clear at night and in the morning – and i Use their Control Moisturizer – I can’t find it in the stores anymore so thankfully amazon sells it.
I mixed the witch hazel with some sodium PCA water (to add more moisturizing agent without clogging pores) and some organic lavender oil. It’s the best DIY astringent I’ve ever made.
We used to get doused in WH at school when we fell over to help bruises “come out”. I hadn’t heard of it for years until my partner started using clinique toner – it smelt very familiar. Turns out one of the biggest ingredients is WH. She now saves herself the £15 (or $22) it costs for the toner and we just buy normal witch hazel from the drugstore. It’s brilliant stuff.
I don’t know why people seem so apposed to alcohol in products, it is not so horrible in the concentrations in witch Hazel, and I have tried Thayers and it does not seem to do anything at all for me. Part of the point of an astringent is to clean oils off the skin, and for that the alcohol is great. It shoudl be about 14% and that is what all WH I have seen has been with the exception of Thayers.
On a side note another good use for WH is for use when you have limited water. I know people who do ocean crossings in sail boats and several say they use WH to bathe there whole body so they don’t have to use water. When you are rationing water every thing helps and a typical boat shower will take at least 20 ounces of water, so an ounce of WH on a cloth can wipe a lot of funk off of you. Will also work for camping in cold weather where water is too cold for bathing.
My old aunties always had a bottle of witch hazel around. I bet it was in many households fifty years ago but now most people don’t even know what it is. I never knew what it was for.
I have a witch hazel bush in my backyard. It’s getting quite big. Maybe I could give it a shave and do something with the twigs, but distillation seems like too much trouble!
You forgot #9: Witch hazel is one of the best ways to relieve a mosquito bite.
Does it just relieve the bite or does it work as a repelent for mosquitos?
It relieves the itching and welling.
There’s a great little product called, “My Nik Is Sealed”, that’s been around for awhile, and an indispensable part of my shaving gear. It’s a witch hazel based product with aloe, and is far superior to a styptic pencil or alum block, IMHO.
I just noticed that there is a higher alcohol content in store -brand witch hazels than in the name brand versions. Thayer’s is the only one with the lowest alcohol content.
Are your 8 uses above reliant on Witch Hazel with or without alcohol?
They would work with WH’s with or without alcohol, though some uses would be less effective without alcohol–acne treatments and itch relief come to mind.
What is the best source for getting any of it? How do you get the purest version if it still exist?
Common witch hazel is available at most drug stores and groceries.
Hey Mantic, how’s the straight razor learning project coming along? When can we see hope to see a video?
When’s your trip to the U.K. and visit to all the cool wet shaving retailers going to be?
UK trip won’t be until next year at the earliest. I’m working on some animations for the straight razor vid…might be finished at the end of this month!
Hey Mark,
I’m fluent in Adobe Photoshop and After Effects; I teach motion graphics at a technical college. PM me if you have questions or would like to collaborate on an animation.
Rob
I’m using Anime Studio Debut but AE is definitely “plan B.” If things head that way I will definitely ask for help!
Why so late, Mark? Haha, no time for a vacation this Summer?
Just got back from vacation! Post about it coming soon.