Herbal Skin Relief: Witch Hazel
It’s probably a good guess to say that most, if not all, of you have heard of witch hazel. It’s an inexpensive remedy for many ailments, including bruises, acne, eczema, poison ivy, and more. The clear, bottled liquid most commonly thought of when mentioning witch hazel is the steam-distilled product from the plants leaves and bark.
Info: Witch hazel contains high levels of tannins, which help to dry and tighten skin, making it great for acne treatments and soothing varicose veins. The procyanadins, resin, and flavonoids in witch hazel add to its soothing and anti-inflammatory abilities. Many skin care products and hemorrhoid products rely on witch hazel for its healing and soothing properties.
Note: Distilled witch hazel, which is what we buy at the pharmacy, contains no tannins, but does contain alcohol, which might cause minor stinging when applied to irritated skin.
More Witch Hazel Info
- How Stuff Works: Witch Hazel: Herbal Remedies
- Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine: Witch Hazel
- Herbs2000: Witch Hazel
Be sure to come back tomorrow for Part 3 of Herbal Skin Care Relief.
