Natural Products (Professional)

Witch Hazel

Scientific Name(s): Hamamelis viginiana L. Family: Hamamelidaceae.

Common Name(s): Witch hazel , hamamelis , snapping hazel , winter bloom , spotted alder , tobacco wood , hamamelis water.

Clinical Overview

Uses of Witch Hazel

Research reveals no clinical data regarding the use of witch hazel for any condition. Witch hazel is thought to have astringent and hemostatic properties, making it potentially useful as a skin astringent to promote healing in hemorrhoid treatment, diarrhea, dysentery, and colitis, as well as other skin inflammations such as eczema. It also has been used as a gargle to treat mucous membrane inflammations of the mouth, throat, and gums. Witch hazel has been used to treat damaged veins, bruises, and sprains; it is also claimed that it rapidly stops bleeding and that it is useful as an enema for inwardly bleeding piles.

Witch Hazel Dosing

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.

Contraindications

Internal use is not recommended.

Pregnancy/Lactation

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

Witch Hazel Interactions

None well documented.

Witch Hazel Adverse Reactions

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.

Toxicology

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.

Botany

Witch hazel grows as a deciduous bush or small tree, often reaching about 20 feet in height. The plant is found throughout most of North America. Its broad, toothed leaves are ovate, and the golden yellow flowers bloom in the fall. Brown fruit capsules appear after the flowers, then when ripe, eject its two seeds away from the tree. The dried leaves, bark, and twigs are used medicinally. 1 , 2

History

Witch hazel is a widely known plant with a long 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. 3

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. 2 , 3

Traditionally, witch hazel was known to native North American people as a treatment for tumors and eye inflammations. Its internal use was for hemorrhaging. Eighteenth century European settlers came to value the plant for its astringency, and it is still used today for this and other purposes. 2

Chemistry

Witch hazel leaves contain about 7% to 10% of tannins. There is some dispute as to the actual composition of the tannin with hamamelitannin, digalloylhamamelose and various gallotannins having been identified. 4 It is not clear whether hamamelitannin is found in the leaves. 5 Recent sources list from 8% 3 , 6 to no hamamelitannin in leaves. 1 The bark contains from 1% to 7% hamamelitannin and smaller amounts of condensed tannins. 7 , 8 Other components include flavonoids (eg, kaempferol, quercetin), gallic acid, saponins, a fixed oil, and a volatile oil. The volatile oil contains small amounts of safrole and eugenol and numerous other minor components, such as resin, wax, and choline. Because witch hazel water is a steam distillate of the extract, it does not contain any tannins. 2 , 6

Witch Hazel Uses and Pharmacology

Witch hazel leaves, bark, and its extracts have been reported to have astringent and hemostatic properties. These effects have been ascribed to the presence of a relatively high concentration of tannins in the leaf, bark, and extract. Tannins are protein precipitants in appropriate concentrations. 9

Witch hazel water is absent of tannins but still retains its astringency. This suggests other constituents may possess astringent-like qualities. 2

The mechanism of witch hazel astringency involves the tightening of skin proteins, which come together to form a protective covering that promotes skin healing. 2 This quality is desirable in treatment of hemorrhoids (including preventive measures for recurring hemorrhoids). 10 A preparation of tea has been used in cases of diarrhea, dysentery, and colitis. 1 , 2 , 3 , 6

Skin problems also are treated with witch hazel. Its drying and astringent effects help treat skin inflammations such as eczema. Witch hazel's action on skin lesions also protects against infection. 2 Skin lotions also may contain witch hazel for these purposes. 1 Inflammation of mucous membranes including mouth, throat, and gums also may be treated with witch hazel in the form of a gargle. 1

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 is also valuable for bruises and sprains. 1 , 2 This hemostatic property of witch hazel is said to stop bleeding instantly and, if used as an enema, offers a rapid cure for “inwardly bleeding piles.” 3 In Europe, an alcoholic fluid extract is taken internally to treat varicose veins. 11

Animal data

Fluid extracts administered parenterally to rabbits have been found to be vasoconstrictive. 11

Clinical data

Research reveals no clinical data regarding the use of witch hazel for any condition.

Dosage

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. 12 , 13

Pregnancy/Lactation

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

Interactions

None well documented.

Adverse Reactions

Although tannins are not usually absorbed following oral administration, 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. 1 , 14 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 one report is available discussing contact allergy to witch hazel. 15

Toxicology

Although the volatile oil contains the carcinogen safrole, this is found in much smaller quantities than in plants such as sassafras. 3 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. 6

Bibliography

1. Bisset N. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals . Stuttgart, Germany: CRC Press, 1994.
2. Chevallier A. Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants . New York, NY: DK Publishing Inc., 1996.
3. Duke JA. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs . Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 1985.
4. Bernard P, et al. L'essai chromatographique des preparations galeniques a base de feuilles d'hamamelis. J Pharm Belg . 1971;26:661.
5. Friedrich VH, Kruger N. New investigations on the tannin of hamamelis. Planta Medica . 1974;26:327.
6. Newall C, et al. Herbal Medicine . London: Pharmaceutical Press, 1996.
7. Leung AY, et al. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics , 2nd ed. New York, NY: Wiley and Sons, 1996.
8. Vennat B, et al. Tannins from Hamamelis virginiana : identification of proanthocyanidins and hamamelitannin quantification in leaf, bark, and stem extracts. Planta Medica . 1988;54:454.
9. Bate-Smith EC. Haemanalysis of tannins: the concept of relative astringency. Phytochemistry . 1973;12:907.
10. Weiner B, et al. Medical management of hemorrhoids: pharmacist's role in counseling the hemorrhoid patient. Nat Assoc Retail Drug J . 1983;105(Apr):45–9.
11. Bernard P, Balansard P, Balansard G, Bovis A. Valeur pharmacodynamique toniveineuse des preparations galeniques a base de feuilles d'hamamelis. J Pharm Belg . 1972;27:505.
12. Claus E, ed. Pharmacognosy , 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lea & Febiger; 1956.
13. Blumenthal M, Brinckmann J, Goldberg A, eds. Contact allergy to witch hazel. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs . Newton, MA: Integrative Medicine Communications; 2000.
14. Spoerke DG. Herbal Medications . Santa Barbara, CA: Woodbridge Press, 1980.
15. Granlund H. Contact Dermatitis . 1994;31(3):195.