| Product: |
Witch Hazel |
| Date: |
18/05/08 (179 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Huge benefits to the body and especially skin.
Disadvantages: None
This herbs name comes from the word wych, which actually means pliable. The herb comes from the American plant (Hamamelis virginiana) once used by native americans to make bows. Today the plant is used in medicine mainly to calm itching and treat irritated skin.
The active ingredient is tannin, which tightens pores and shrinks blood vessels. However modern production methods have meant less tannin in witch hazel products but proper herbal witch hazel such as liquid extract and dried leaf may still be purchased in good health stores.
For years witch hazel has been an active ingredient in many skin care products, but it also has greater uses outside of beauty products. Even though modern witch hazel products have little in common with traditional witch hazel, it has a high alcohol content, making it a safe astringent useful for minor problems such as cuuts and grazes, body odour, stings and bites, hives, shaving rash and cuts and many more minor ailments. It is also great used to combat oily skin, and can be used to simply freshen the skin.
Should you come across the original (real) witch hazel, you will find the benefits far greater. Mixed with rosewater it becomes a soothing spray or lotion for irritated skin.
When applied to bruises and sorains it has be known to quicken healing and offer relief from pain.
Because tannin shrinks the blood vessels and gives a cooling sensation as it evaporates, witch hazel has long been used in the treatment of haemorrhoids and is an active ingredient in the haemorrhoid treatment Preparation H and other over the counter remedies.
It may be mixed with camomile and kept in the fridge to use as a relief spray for eczema, dermatitis, chickenpox and measles.
It may also be used as a mouthwash, promoting fresh breath and treating periodontal disease.
Witch hazel hasanti-inflamatory, anti-bacterial and hydrating effects which when applied can soothe raw rashes and even sunburn.
It is also thought to protect from UV rays.
Witch hazel is widely available in many shapes and forms, however for greater benefits I suggest visiting a herbalist for a purer form and advice on making your own infusions.
Summary: Fantastic healing properties
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