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Witch Hazel

Hamamelis virginiana

金缕梅

Pinyin: Jīn Lǚ Méi

🌿

Plant Family

Hamamelidaceae

Part Used

Bark, leaf, twig

Origin

Eastern North America; also cultivated in Europe and Asia

Safety Level

Safe

Overview

Witch hazel is a flowering shrub native to North America that blooms in late autumn or winter. It has a long history of use by Native Americans for skin conditions, wounds, and inflammation. Today, witch hazel is one of the most widely used topical astringents, commonly found in toners, aftershaves, and hemorrhoid treatments. It is valued for its astringent, anti-inflammatory, and soothing properties.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Properties

Nature (四气)

cool

Flavors (五味)

astringent, bitter

Meridians (归经)

skin, liver

Health Benefits

✓ Powerful astringent (tannins tighten skin and reduce pore appearance)
✓ Anti-inflammatory (reduces redness, swelling, and irritation)
✓ Antioxidant (protects skin from damage)
✓ Topical pain relief (bruises, sprains, insect bites)
✓ Hemorrhoid relief (reduces swelling, itching, and pain)
✓ Varicose vein support (strengthens veins topically)
✓ Skin soothing (after sun exposure, shaving, minor irritations)
✓ May help with acne (controls oil, reduces inflammation)
✓ Scalp health (tones and soothes)
✓ Wound healing (antiseptic and astringent)

Traditional Uses

  • Astringent and skin toner
  • Hemorrhoids and varicose veins
  • Bruises, sprains, and swelling
  • Acne and oily skin
  • Eczema, psoriasis, and skin irritation
  • Eye irritation and sties
  • Sore throat (gargle)
  • Aftershave and scalp treatment

Active Constituents

The key compounds responsible for this herb's therapeutic effects:

Tannins (hamamelitannin, gallic acid - up to 10% - primary astringent actives)Flavonoids: quercetin, kaempferol, myricetinEssential oil (small amounts)SaponinsResinsCholineCarotenoidsPhenolic compounds

Usage & Dosage

How to Use

TOPICAL USE ONLY for most preparations: distilled witch hazel (astringent), cream, ointment, suppository (hemorrhoids), compress, poultice, toner. Can also be taken internally as tea/decoction, though topical use is far more common and better studied.

Suggested Dosage

Topical: apply distilled witch hazel with cotton ball 1–3x/day as needed; cream/ointment: apply 2–3x/day; hemorrhoid suppositories: follow product directions. Compress: soak cloth in witch hazel and apply 10–15 min. Internal (tea): 1–2 tsp dried bark/leaf per cup, 2x/day (less common).

Quality & Storage

Harvest Season

Bark is harvested in early spring or autumn. Leaves are harvested in summer during flowering. Twigs can be harvested year-round but best in late fall/winter. The plant blooms in late autumn to winter, which is unusual (hence "winterbloom").

Quality Indicators

Distilled witch hazel: clear to slightly yellow, characteristic astringent odor. Look for alcohol-free versions for sensitive skin. The best witch hazel is distilled rather than just soaked. Bark should be brown with reddish inner bark. Look for products with visible tannin content. Organic is preferred.

Storage

Distilled witch hazel: cool dark place, 2–3 years (keep tightly capped). Dried bark/leaf: airtight container, 2 years. Cream/ointment: follow product expiration. Protect from light.

Safety Information

Contraindications

Internal use: generally not recommended for long-term internal use without practitioner guidance (tannins can be irritating to GI tract in large amounts)Pregnancy and breastfeeding (internal use - avoid; topical is generally considered safe)Broken skin or open wounds: diluted witch hazel may be okay, but undistilled extracts can be irritatingChildren: topical use generally safe; internal use not recommendedSevere eczema or sensitive skin: may cause stinging or irritation in some - test on small area firstOral ingestion of commercial witch hazel (which often contains alcohol) is NOT recommended

Possible Side Effects

  • Generally very safe for topical use
  • Skin irritation: stinging, burning, redness - especially in sensitive skin or with alcohol-based products
  • Allergic contact dermatitis (rare)
  • Internal use: nausea, vomiting, liver damage (only in very large amounts - tannins and other compounds)
  • Dryness with regular use (especially alcohol-based witch hazel)
  • May worsen very dry skin conditions with long-term use
  • Eye contact: may cause irritation - rinse with water if contact occurs

Drug Interactions

  • Minimal drug interactions with topical use (very little systemic absorption)
  • Internal use: may interact with blood thinners (tannins may have mild anticoagulant effect)
  • Internal use: may reduce absorption of some medications and iron (tannins bind to them)
  • Generally very low interaction potential with topical use

Note: Always consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before starting any herbal supplement, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, have medical conditions, or take medications.

References & Research

Information on this page is based on traditional herbal knowledge and modern scientific research. For a comprehensive list of references, please refer to our full citations page.

ℹ️ Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The FDA has not evaluated these statements. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using herbal supplements.

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