What is witch hazel made of

Have you ever wondered what witch hazel actually is? And why do people swear by adding Witch Hazel to their skincare routine? Paying close attention to the ingredients in the products you use each day and the processes used to create them is important.

This process is entirely unique to Thayers, and is one of the reasons why our formula is so efficacious and beloved today. What is Witch Hazel? Witch Hazel is a plant, or shrub, that is native to North America, containing natural, beneficial properties. Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile.

Measure ad performance. Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Witch hazel is a natural remedy made from a plant, Hamamelis virginiana. Native Americans used it to soothe skin problems. It's one of the few plants the Food and Drug Administration FDA has approved as an ingredient for over-the-counter medicines.

Read on to learn more about this medicinal plant with a magical-sounding name, how to use it, and possible side effects. Inside witch hazel's leaves, bark, and twigs, there are medicinal chemicals called tannins. If you rub these chemicals on your skin, they reduce swelling and fight bacteria.

That's why people have used witch hazel for centuries to soothe chapped, scraped, and irritated skin. It can help treat many kinds of minor skin problems, including:. Some beauty experts suggest using witch hazel as an inexpensive way to reduce under-eye puffiness.

Many cosmetic companies use witch hazel to make beauty aids like facial toners and wipes, acne treatments, pore reducers, shampoos, and aftershave. The FDA has only approved witch hazel for topical use applying it to your skin. However, people have claimed that drinking teas made with the plant's bark and leaves can cure diarrhea , dysentery, symptoms such as coughing or vomiting blood, even cancer.

There are no studies that prove this works or is safe. Here's a look at key findings from studies that have been done. According to a study published in the Journal of the German Society of Dermatology, witch hazel may be helpful in treating sunburn. Researchers reviewed clinical trials of plant extracts used to treat skin conditions. The authors concluded that applying witch hazel to sunburned skin eases inflammation because it contains antioxidant polyphenols. Polyphenols are compounds you can also get from eating fruit, vegetables, dark chocolate, or drinking tea or wine.

Polyphenols protect against oxidative stress caused by ultraviolet UV radiation from sunlight. In a study published in the European Journal of Pediatrics , researchers tested witch hazel on children. The kids had minor skin problems like diaper rash, itching, redness, and swelling.

The researchers treated 78 of the children with dexpanthenol, an ingredient in many moisturizers. For this reason, witch hazel is often applied topically as a natural remedy to help fight cold sores and relieve symptoms. More studies are needed to look at the effects of witch hazel and its potential impact on viral infections in healthy adults. Test-tube studies show that witch hazel may have antiviral properties and could be useful against certain types of viral infections.

Most people can use witch hazel safely with minimal risk of adverse side effects Ointments and extracts can be applied directly to your skin several times per day and safely administered for the treatment of hemorrhoids after each bowel movement. Some people may experience skin irritation or allergic reactions after applying witch hazel topically. Doing an initial skin patch test on a small portion of your skin can help prevent unwanted side effects and skin reactions.

Additionally, while taking 3—4 teaspoons 15—20 ml of witch hazel per day is generally considered safe, ingesting large amounts may cause stomach irritation and vomiting Witch hazel can be safely applied to your skin several times per day, and small amounts can be ingested orally with minimal risk of side effects.

It contains several compounds with potent anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties, which may be useful in treating a variety of conditions ranging from acne and scalp sensitivity to hemorrhoids.

Still, more research is needed to unearth the entire spectrum of potential benefits that this powerful plant has to offer. Hemorrhoids are an extremely common problem, causing symptoms of pain, itching, and rectal bleeding. While they typically go away on their own, you…. If you live with eczema, you might be looking for home remedies for symptom relief. Check out these 8 natural eczema remedies to soothe your symptoms….

Here are 4 natural treatments to try to get rid of pimples fast, plus a few longer-term remedies. Here are 5 herbal remedies to ease your symptoms. Lemon verbena is a plant you can use in cooking, teas, or take as a supplement. This article covers 5 lemon verbena uses and potential benefits. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Witch hazel is a plant with powerful medicinal properties that can be used in a variety of ways.

Here are the top 8 benefits and uses of witch hazel. Relieves Inflammation. With regard to availability of these plants to gardeners, there are four species that are generally grown by the nursery trade, and an ever-increasing number of cultivars.

These are the Chinese witch hazel, the interspecific hybrid Hamamelis x intermedia , and the two North American natives — the common or American witch hazel and the vernal witch hazel. This is a very unique feature of native North American trees. One can find H. In South Carolina, its native range extends over three quarters of the counties throughout the state across all four physiographic regions Mountains, Piedmont, Sandhills and Coastal Plain. Vernal witch hazel, or Ozark witch hazel, is more Midwest in its range, which extends from Missouri and Arkansas southwest into Oklahoma and Texas.

However, most gardeners have turned their attention to the use of Chinese species H. These plants make beautiful, relatively care-free additions to South Carolina landscapes, and deserve more attention. In addition to its ornamental attributes, witch hazel has several medicinal properties including use as an astringent and an anti-inflammatory.

In fact, it is one of the very few American medicinal plants approved as an ingredient in non-prescription drugs by the U. Food and Drug Administration. Witch hazels are generally considered large shrubs, or in some instances small trees.

The ultimate or mature size is largely dependent upon the species or cultivar selected, and the growing environment in which it is sited. Common witch hazel H. Vernal witch hazel H. Hybrid witch hazels H.

Plants are typically upright-spreading and rather loosely branched. The somewhat zigzagging branches offer interesting form, and its upright nature lends itself to an opportunity for under-planting with bulbs or small perennials. Witch hazels are generally considered to be slow growing. However, the hybrid witch hazel does display greater vigor than that of either parent species. One could reasonably expect annual growth of inches under suitable environmental conditions.

As mentioned previously, witch hazels make beautiful, relatively problem-free additions to South Carolina landscapes. They also offer the gardener an interesting and unique plant that truly adds to a four-season landscape. Flowers of common witch hazel H. The common witch hazel H. The flowers form from groups of three or four stalked buds which open from October to December. It is a valuable shrub for the naturalized border, under the tall canopy of mature shade trees, although it will tolerate full sun in moist soils.