Witch Hazel a beautiful deciduous shrub often associated with cosmetic purposes due to its anti-inflammatory properties. There are a wide array of medicinal virtues for this Native American herbal remedy. Colorful fragrant flowers bloom in the winter, and often the flower essence is referred to those who feel out of sync with the seasonal cycles of nature. If you have trouble with the changing of the seasons and don’t feel quite in sync, Witch Hazel flower essence can support you getting back into balance. Witch Hazel bark scraped upwards (according to Iroquois Medical Botany by James Herrick) and boiled for 30 minutes can be drunk as a tea and used to combat parasites, infections, colds, coughs, and diarrhea while also helping the bowels to eliminate completely.
Topically, it can be applied to the skin and scalp to soothe irritation and inflammatory related issues such as psoriasis, eczema, acne and more. It can be applied safely to broken skin, although depending on the extraction it may sting but it can relieve itchiness and bleeding– it’s a wonderful astringent!
Last, but definitely not least, it is one of the best topical treatments for hemorrhoids, reducing redness, providing pain relief, and possibly even staunching bleeding. Think of the cheery yellow blossoms of Witch Hazel whenever you are caught in a dreary winter bloom!
Check out Buck Naked Plant Medicine’s Wild Witch Hazel here!
