The Newsy Neighbour Magazine
June Issue #116
Article Provided By: Kathryn Hartwell
Few people have heard of “Witch Hazel.” It
sounds a little like some sort of ingredient used in a magic potion, doesn’t
it? Well, as it turns out, you could say it actually is a “magic potion”
because it is a little bit of a miracle.
Witch hazel is a topical astringent
derived from the bark and leaves of Hamamelis
virginiana, the common or North American witch-hazel shrub. The bark,
twigs, and leaves of the witch hazel plant are used to extract active
properties known as tannins and polyphenols, which are added either to water or
alcohol to produce distilled witch hazel extract or witch hazel water. It’s the
tannins in witch hazel extract that make it a natural astringent, as they help
to remove excess oil from the skin. That’s why it’s considered one of the best natural acne treatments out there and is used
in all sorts of washes and treatment gels. Native Americans have
long recognized the medicinal properties of witch hazel and used a decoction of
the boiled plant parts to treat skin irritations and tumours. Nowadays, this
popular herbal remedy is recognized world-wide as a natural cleanser and toner,
but witch hazel has many more uses than simply to clarify skin and shrink
pores. You’ve
probably noticed witch hazel extract in the list of ingredients in many beauty
and health products, as its powerful antioxidant and astringent benefits are
known to help speed healing, prevent signs of aging, stop cellular damage that
can lead to skin cancer and eradicate bacteria that lives within the pores of
the skin.
Plants like witch hazel contain a high
level of polyphenols; the same compounds used to create anti-aging supplements
that help slow down disease. As it’s a natural anti-inflammatory and
antioxidant, it’s able to battle free radicals to protect against DNA damage. Now
that you know a little bit more about witch hazel and how it works, here are
some of the reasons you should start using it on your face.
Puffy eyes are a common skin problem
that many people face. It can be caused by allergies, stress, overindulging in
alcohol, sun exposure, cigarette smoking and many other factors. The next time
you wake up and find yourself with puffy eyes, be sure to have some witch hazel
around, and you’ll have a quick fix for that problem. Witch hazel is known to
tighten skin, which helps reduce under eye baggage and puffiness. Just soak
some cotton balls with witch hazel, and apply it to closed eyes. Let it remain
for five minutes or so, allowing it to soak into the skin. Repeat one more time
for severe puffiness. As it can be more effective if it’s cool, storing your
witch hazel in the refrigerator is a good idea, particularly if this is the
main reason you plan to use it. Sometimes you don’t
have bags under your eyes, but you get a kind of general puffiness. This can
come from fatigue, crying, allergies, or other irritants. Just dab a couple of
cotton balls in witch hazel, and then set them on top of your eyelids. Keep
your eyes closed. Take a 10-minute catnap, sit up, and look in the mirror. The
puffiness and redness should be gone, or at least greatly reduced.
If
you’re suffering from eczema, witch hazel can help with that too, thanks to its
anti-inflammatory properties. It not only helps stop that incessant itching,
but it improves symptoms like scaling, redness, burning and even scarring. One
study found that patients with eczema who were treated with witch hazel on one
arm, and a non-steroidal cream on the other over three weeks, experienced just
as effective relief in improving symptoms with the witch hazel as compared to
the cream.
Soak
soft terry cloth in witch hazel and lay over skin affected by varicose veins to
temporarily reduce swelling and pain. Also, remember to prop up the areas to be
treated as high as possible. This will decrease blood pressure in swollen veins
and maximize the effectiveness of your treatment.
For
both men and women, witch hazel is a great follow-up to shaving any part of the
body. Not only will it stop bleeding from nicks or cuts, anti-inflammatory
witch hazel can also work to prevent razor burn. Furthermore, those who employ
hot wax treatments for hair-removal may also apply witch hazel as an
anti-inflammatory post-waxing or use it to stop bleeding from damaged hair
follicles.
Witch
hazel is great for easing the pain, itching, swelling, and bleeding of
hemorrhoids. In fact, it’s a common ingredient used in many commercial
hemorrhoid creams. Just mix witch hazel with a carrier like Aloe Vera gel and
apply to affected areas for fast relief.
Anti-inflammatory
properties of witch hazel make it an effective and safe remedy for soothing
pain from diaper rash. Regular application will also assist in healing damaged
skin faster, further reducing your baby’s discomfort.
Mix
some witch hazel in with your Aloe
Vera gel the next time you need to treat a sunburn. The anti-inflammatory power of this
incredible plant extract will aid your skin in healing while it and the Aloe
help to cool the burn. This treatment can also help to prevent skin from
peeling in the days following a bad burn.
Not
only is witch hazel great for your scalp, but it also can be helpful for your
hair care routine in other ways. If you have frizzy hair, witch hazel can help
you to tame your locks. Just add a little to your shampoo before washing. You
will be stunned at the difference when your hair dries!
Just
as witch hazel can be used to ease pain and itching from poison ivy and its
cousins, the same works for bug bites and stings. Yet another reason to carry a
bottle of this awesome remedy with you the next time you plan to spend a day
outdoors!
There
are so many natural remedies for common problem all made from plants or herbs.
Mother earth really has provided all the answers to our problems if we look for
them. I really would prefer to look for a natural remedy rather than using
man-made products and now you know the wide range of health issues that “Witch
Hazel” can solve. Throw a bottle in your camper or backpack next time you are
heading out for the weekend. It may come in handy!
Stay
Healthy
Kathryn
Hartwell
naturallivingideas.com,
diyncrafts.com, naturallivingideas.com
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