Nature's Beauty Secret: Witch Hazel

Gentle Effective Cleansing Herb

 

Effective Skin-Healing Astringent Herb

Want beautiful, flawless skin? Look no further. Witch Hazel is an effective skin-healing astringent that gently removes dirt, oil and blemish causing bacteria.

 

Forget the expensive creams, lotions and all the chemicals. This simple, yet effective herb is gentle, cleansing, and best of all, won’t poison you or the planet.

 

Witch Hazel  is steeped in English lore, and according to Wikipedia, the name Witch in witch-hazel has its origins in Middle English wiche, from the Old English wice, meaning “pliant” or “bendable.”

First American settlers learned of witch hazel from the Native Americans. Its bendable branches made it well-suited as a witching stick for “dowsing,” the art of searching out hidden water. Although not related, its leaves are similar to hazel nut trees, and may be where it gets the name “hazel.”

Here’s a few of the many reasons Witch Hazel should be in every home:

 

• Allergies- Use a cotton ball soaked with witch hazel and dap on irritated skin

 

• Insect bites- Cotton ball soaked in witch hazel soothes the pain and associated itching of bites and stings

 

• Fungal infections such as athlete’s foot

 

• Superficial cuts

 

• Soothes irritated and red skin

 

• Tighten and firm facial pores- Cleans, tones and refreshes your face

 

• Mild pain-relieving qualities

 

 

Dog Ear Cleaner- I use an effective DIY ear solution for our doxie, Scampy. It soothes his ears during the stress of the cold and damp Pacific Northwest weather.

 

Many sources list witch hazel as a treatment for eye inflammations, hemorrhoids, skin sores, diarrhea and dysentery. And as a styptic, to stop internal and external bleeding.

 

For natural acne remedies, follow Dr. Axe’s advice.

ALWAYS CONSULT AN HERBALIST IF YOU ARE NEW TO USING HERBAL MEDICINES

 

Further Reading

 

Witch Hazel

by Steven Foster

 

A Modern Herbal: The Complete Edition

by Margaret Grieve