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Witch hazel is a plant. The leaf, bark, and twigs are used to make medicine. You may see a product called witch hazel water (Hamamelis water, distilled witch hazel extract). This is a liquid that is distilled from dried leaves, bark, and partially dormant twigs of witch hazel.
What is the main ingredient in witch hazel?
The main phytochemicals in witch-hazel leaves are polyphenols, including 3–10% tannins, flavonoids, and up to 0.5% essential oil, while the bark has a higher tannin content.
Is witch hazel all natural?
Remember, just because witch hazel is a “natural” ingredient, this doesn’t mean that it’s right for everyone. Plus, some OTC formulas can contain added ingredients that may irritate your skin, such as alcohol.
Where does witch hazel grow naturally?
Witch hazel is a large shrub or a small multi-stemmed tree that is native to North America, China and Japan. There are four species in North America. The most commonly used variety is Hamamelis virginiana. Outside of North America, there is one species native to China and another species native to Japan.
Does witch hazel naturally have alcohol?
Most witch hazel extracts are distilled or otherwise extracted using alcohol. A common misconception is also that the witch hazel plant naturally contains alcohol, and that’s simply not the case. Its astringent properties come from tannins.
Why you shouldn’t use witch hazel?
Witch hazel is POSSIBLY SAFE for most adults when small doses are taken by mouth. In some people, witch hazel might cause stomach upset when taken by mouth. Large doses might cause liver problems. Witch hazel contains a cancer-causing chemical (safrole), but in amounts that are too small to be of concern.
Is witch hazel made from hazelnuts?
Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is a large native shrub which in fact has nothing to do with hazelnut shrubs (Corylus species in the birch family) nor, as far as we know, witches. Although witch hazel blooms when temperatures are often quite cool, there are still enough insects around to pollinate it.
Why is witch hazel called witch hazel?
Why Is it Called Witch Hazel? The plant’s name does not refer to witchcraft, but comes from the Middle English word wych or wyche, meaning pliant or flexible, which is a reference to the plant’s very flexible branches. The “hazel” in the name comes from the plant’s similarity to the common hazelnut.
Is it okay to put witch hazel on your vag?
Witch Hazel: Dr. Jamil Abdur-Rahman, a board-certified OB-GYN, explains that witch hazel is an astringent, which means it dries, shrinks, and tightens tissue by pulling water out of it. Additionally, witch hazel is acidic — and so are healthy vaginas.
Is witch hazel better than hydrogen peroxide?
Since hydrogen peroxide is chemical based, it is unsafe for our skin. Therefore, the extract from witch hazel is a better substitute since it is plant based; thus safe.
What’s the difference between hazelnut and witch hazel?
Witch hazel is not to be confused with the wild hazelnuts also native to our forests – beaked hazelnut and American hazelnut. The hazelnuts are actually in the birch family – Betulaceae – while witch hazel is in a different family called Hamamelidaceae.
Can I grow witch hazel?
Witch hazels perform best in full sun (or filtered shade in hotter regions), where the flowers glow like fiery embers in the backlight of the low winter sun. A more heat tolerant variety, Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Diane’, can be grown in Zones 5-9.
Is hazelnut and witch hazel the same?
Witch hazel was described as growing from eight to fifteen feet by the age of five or six years. It was not to be confused with a much shorter shrub (rarely more than five feet tall) by the name of hazel – the latter was the nut-bearing hazelnut. The two are not related although witch hazel seeds/nuts are also edible.
What’s the difference between witch hazel and alcohol?
The presence of this natural alcohol is one reason Witch Hazel is a more gentle astringent than rubbing alcohol. Witch Hazel typically contains only 13-14% alcohol, which means it won’t get the job done for this task! However, there are plenty of other ways to use Witch Hazel!.
How much alcohol is in witch hazel?
Witch Hazel is defined as the following: “Witch Hazel Extract (Witch Hazel) is a clear, colorless distillate prepared from recently cut and partially dried dormant twigs of Hamamelis virginiana Linné,” containing natural oils and 14% Alcohol.
Is witch hazel better without alcohol?
The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of witch hazel also help soothe irritated skin, making it great for post-shaving. But to prevent your skin from drying out or becoming irritated, both dermatologists recommend using witch hazel that comes in an oily vehicle and is alcohol free.
Do dermatologists recommend witch hazel?
Dermatologists give the toner their seal of approval “Witch hazel is a botanical ingredient used in skin care for its astringent effects on the skin,” he said. “It can effectively remove oil from the skin to improve shine and minimize the appearance of pores, and may help soothe inflammation.”Sep 2, 2020.
Is witch hazel good for mature skin?
The polyphenols witch hazel contains may help fight premature aging: “Theoretically, witch hazel may have antioxidant effects that help mitigate and prevent free radical damage to skin from UV [rays] and oxidizing air pollution,” says Los Angeles-based board-certified dermatologist Tsippora Shainhouse, MD.
Does witch hazel remove dark spots?
Witch hazel, when used regularly can diminish dark spots and blemishes, thereby improving and correcting skin tone. You can add a few drops of witch hazel to your cleanser and use the mixture to wash your face. It will also prevent excess oil production and keep acne at bay.
