Witch hazel properties
The leaves and bark of witch hazel contain soluble tannins ( witch hazel acid), active principles that have a particular tropism towards cell membranes and vascular walls, exerting a vasoprotective action, useful in vascular diseases; and a re-epithelizing action , to be used in the presence of allergic dermatitis .
Furthermore, the presence of flavonoids and triterpene compounds contributes to the muscle tone of the venous walls, compromised in the course of inflammations . For this reason, witch hazel is considered an effective remedy in the treatment of circulatory system disorders , such as phlebitis , varicose veins and hemorrhoids , capillary fragility , dilated capillaries , tendency to bruise, cellulite , where an astringent action is required .
Witch hazel also has antihaemorrhagic properties to be used in case of metrorrhagia and in menstrual pain with abnormal blood flow .
How to use
The plant is used for both internal use in the form of infusions , hydroalcoholic extracts (mother tincture), fluids , soft or dry; and external use, in cosmetics, to prepare distillates , eye drops , aftershave soothing , tonic decongestants for children's delicate skin, for skin with rosacea , to soothe sunburn , for the ' redness of facial skin, in case of acne, rosacea, use witch hazel for hemorrhoids and for creams against cellulite. The distilled water of Hamamelis is a cosmetic preparation useful in inflammations of the mouth, gums, and for the redness of the eyes with hyperemia, such as for example in allergic conjunctivitis.
INTERNAL USE
INFUSION: 1 tablespoon of witch hazel leaves, 1 cup of water
Pour the plant into the boiling water and turn off the heat. Cover and leave to infuse for 10 min. Filter the infusion and drink 2 cups a day between meals.
Witch hazel mother tincture : 40 drops in half a glass of water, to be drunk 2 times a day, between meals.
Contraindications
In case of excessive dosages, witch hazel can cause damage to the gastric mucosa and constipation.
Description of the plant
Similar to the Hazel, the Amalelide is a shrubby plant, which can reach a height of 6 m. The leaves , deciduous, brownish green and ocher yellow in the autumn season; they are oval or obovate, alternate, hairless, up to 15 cm long and up to 10 cm wide, with short and robust petiole; the margin is irregularly indented and the apex is briefly sharp and obtuse.
From the median rib, 5-6 straight or slightly arched secondary ribs start at an acute angle from two sides, reaching the margin and strongly marked on the lower page.
The flowers , which generally open in the months of September and October, are gathered two or three in axillary glomeruli, and have four sepals and four yellow petals; each flower has four stamens and two styles. The fruits are wooden capsules with two loggias, 10-14 mm long, which when ripe open, releasing one or two dark and shiny seeds.
The witch hazel habitat
It grows spontaneously on the eastern coasts of North America, in the humid forests of Canada and the Northern United States
Background
The American Indians used it for its healing properties and also attributed an extraordinary magical power to the point of considering it a " working tool" of the shamans, during their ritual and propitiatory practices.
The discovery of witch hazel in science is however relatively recent. In fact in 1731 Mark Caterby mentioned the plant in his work Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahamas Islands and had it introduced to Europe, so that it could become an ornamental plant.
Over time, however, the Virginiana variety became more and more important under the therapeutic aspect for its astringent and hemostatic properties , highlighted by studies dating back to the early 1900s, when tannins were found inside the leaves and bark .
See more :6 Uses for Witch Hazel : Witch Hazel for hemorrhoids
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