Witch hazel, scientifically known as Hamamelis virginiana, is a flowering shrub native to North America. Here's an overview of its characteristics, traditional uses, potential health benefits, and relevant scientific research.
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| Witch Hazel Blossom |
What is Witch Hazel?
Witch hazel is a deciduous shrub with distinctive, spidery yellow flowers that bloom in the late fall or early winter. Its leaves are oval-shaped, with wavy margins, that also turn yellow in the autumn.
Witch hazel is typically found in wooded areas, forests, and stream banks in eastern North America, from Canada to Florida. It is also found in Europe and elsewhere in the world.
Primary Compounds of Witch Hazel
Witch hazel contains hundreds of compounds just as many other plant medicines. The most prominent in witch hazel are tannins and flavonoids.
Witch hazel contains high levels of tannins, which have astringent and antioxidant properties.
It also contains flavonoids such as quercetin and kaempferol, which contribute to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
Health Benefits of Witch Hazel
Skin Irritations
Witch hazel contains tannins, which have astringent properties that can help tighten and tone the skin. It is commonly used topically to soothe skin irritations such as insect bites, minor burns, and cuts.
Varicose Veins
Witch hazel has been used for centuries for varicose veins, and research shows it can help with microcirculation and vascular tone.
Acne Treatment
Witch hazel's astringent properties make it effective in reducing inflammation and excess oil production on the skin, making it a popular natural remedy for acne.
Hemorrhoid Relief
Witch hazel is often used topically to relieve itching, burning, and swelling associated with hemorrhoids due to its anti-inflammatory and astringent effects.
Anti-inflammatory Effects
The tannins in witch hazel have mild anti-inflammatory properties, making it useful in reducing inflammation associated with conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
Traditional Uses of Witch Hazel
Native American Medicine
Indigenous peoples of North America, such as the Cherokee and Iroquois tribes, used witch hazel for various medicinal purposes, including skin ailments, sore muscles, and eye irritations.
European Folk Medicine
European settlers adopted the use of witch hazel from Native Americans and used it for similar purposes, including treating bruises, hemorrhoids, and diarrhea.
Research on Witch Hazel
Most studies focus on witch hazel’s topical applications for skin conditions. Here are a few relevant studies:
2022 research found that witch hazel extract can halt inflammation and skin reactions. It also reduced atopic dermatitis, which can cause skin rashes and sores. This study confirms its traditional use for skin irritation and inflammation.
A 2020 study from Italy found that applying topical witch hazel extract with calendula and chamomile helped reduce pain and itching in both varicose veins and hemorrhoids.
A 1996 study found that witch hazel had antiviral activity against Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1).
2001 research from Portland found that witch hazel was effective at helping to prevent both varicose veins and hemorrhoids.
A 2025 study from Harvard found that witch hazel helped treat chronic skin inflammation, improved skin barrier function and helped prevent sun-radiation.
How to use Witch Hazel
There are a number of ways to utilize Witch hazel according to the literature. The European Medicines Agency laid out several formats for using Witch hazel:
- Herbal tea (decoction): 5-10 grams per 250 ml water or 2-3 grams per 150 ml, with a 10-15 minute steeping time.
- Powdered herbal substance (raw green to greenish-brown powder)
- Tinctures can be made from the bark or the leaf, typically 1:10 with 45% or 60% ethanol 60%.
- Liquid extracts from the leaf, 1:1 with 30% or 45% ethanol
- Dry extract at 5-7.7:1, with ethanol 30%
- Distilled Witch hazel with water
- Distilled Witch Hazel; Witch Hazel USP
Speak to your health professional before using witch hazel internally.
Scientific References
Liu X, Hage TW, Chen LC, Wang EHC, Liao IC, Goldberg J, Gosto S, Cziryak P, Senna M, Chen Y, Zheng Q. Revealing the Therapeutic Potential: Investigating the Impact of a Novel Witch Hazel Formula on Anti-Inflammation and Antioxidation. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2025 Feb;24(2):e16662. doi: 10.1111/jocd.16662.
Amaturo A, Meucci M, Mari FS. Treatment of haemorrhoidal disease with micronized purified flavonoid fraction and sucralfate ointment. Acta Biomed. 2020 Mar 19;91(1):139-141. doi: 10.23750/abm.v91i1.9361.
MacKay D. Hemorrhoids and varicose veins: a review of treatment options. Altern Med Rev. 2001 Apr;6(2):126-40.
Piazza S, Martinelli G, Magnavacca A, Fumagalli M, Pozzoli C, Terno M, Canilli L, Angarano M, Maranta N, Dell'Agli M, Sangiovanni E. Unveiling the Ability of Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana L.) Bark Extract to Impair Keratinocyte Inflammatory Cascade Typical of Atopic Eczema. Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Aug 17;23(16):9279. doi: 10.3390/ijms23169279.