Witch Hazel

Common names: Witch hazel also is known as hamamelis, snapping hazel, winter bloom, spotted alder, tobacco wood, and hamamelis water.

Efficacy-safety rating:

ÒÒ...Ethno or other evidence of efficacy.

Safety rating:

What is Witch Hazel?

Witch hazel is a deciduous bush or small tree that is found throughout most of North America. It has broad, toothed oval leaves, and golden yellow flowers. Brown fruit capsules appear after the flowers. The dried leaves, bark, and twigs are used medicinally.

What is Witch Hazel used for?

Witch hazel is a widely known plant with a lengthy history of use in the Americas. One source lists more than 30 traditional uses for witch hazel including the treatment of hemorrhoids, burns, cancers, tuberculosis, colds, and fever. Preparations have been used topically for symptomatic treatment of itching and other skin inflammations and in ophthalmic preparations for ocular irritations.

Traditionally, witch hazel was known to native North American people as a treatment for tumors and eye inflammations. Its was used internally for hemorrhaging. Eighteenth century European settlers valued the plant for its astringency, and it still is used today for this and other purposes.

Witch hazel is thought to have astringent and hemostatic (stop bleeding) properties. These effects are thought to be because of the presence of a relatively high concentration of tannins in the leaf, bark, and extract as well as other unknown mechanisms of action. These properties make witch hazel potentially useful as a skin astringent to promote healing in hemorrhoid treatment, as well as skin inflammations such as eczema. The mechanism of witch hazel astringency involves the tightening of skin proteins, which come together to form a protective covering that promotes skin healing. Witch hazel also is used to treat damaged veins. Its ability to tighten distended veins and restore vessel tone is employed in varicose vein treatment and also is valuable for bruises and sprains. It also is claimed that it rapidly stops bleeding and that it is useful as an enema for inwardly bleeding piles. Witch hazel's action on skin lesions also protects against infection. Skin lotions also may contain witch hazel for these purposes.

The plant is used in a variety of forms including the crude leaf and bark, fluid extracts, a poultice, and commonly as witch hazel water. The latter, also known as hamamelis water or distilled witch hazel extract, is obtained from the recently cut and partially dormant twigs of the plant. This plant material is soaked in warm water followed by distillation and the addition of alcohol to the distillate. Witch hazel water is the most commonly found commercial preparation, usually kept in most homes as a topical cooling agent or astringent.

A preparation of tea has been used in cases of diarrhea, dysentery, and colitis. It also has been used as a gargle to treat mucous membrane inflammations of the mouth, throat, and gums. Research reveals no clinical data regarding the use of witch hazel for any condition.

What is the dosage of Witch Hazel?

Witch hazel leaves or bark have been used traditionally at daily oral doses of 2 to 3 g. Suppositories containing witch hazel contain from 0.1 to 1 g/dose.

Is Witch Hazel safe?

Internal use is not recommended.

Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking.

None well documented.

Doses of 1 g of witch hazel will cause nausea, vomiting, or constipation, possibly leading to impactions. Hepatic damage may occur if the tannins are absorbed to an appreciable extent. Witch hazel water is not intended for internal use. Teas can be brewed from leaves and twigs available commercially in some health-food stores, but their safety is undefined. At least 1 report is available discussing contact allergy to witch hazel.

Although extracts of witch hazel are available commercially, it is not recommended that these extracts be taken internally because the toxicity of the tannins has not been well defined.

References

Copyright © 2006 Wolters Kluwer Health

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