Find Out More About The Traditonal Indian Herb Witch Hazel
Other Common Names: American Witchhazel, Amerika-Mansaku,
Carpe, Chin Lu Mei, Hamamelis, Pistachier Noir, Spotted Alder, Snapping
Hazelnut, Trilopo, Winterbloom, Virginische Toverhazelaar, Virginischer
Zauberstrauch, Hamamelis virginiana
Range: Britain; China; Denmark; France; Germany; Italy;
Netherlands; Spain; Eastern N. America - Nova Scotia to Wisconsin and
south to Texas and N. Florida.
Habitat: Edges of dry or moist woods, in rich soil and on the rocky banks of streams. The best specimens are found in deep rich soils.
The name Hamamelis was adopted from a Greek word to indicate its resemblance to an apple-tree.
Witch hazel bark is a traditional herb of the North American Indians
who used it to heal wounds, treat tumors, eye problems etc. A very
astringent herb, it is commonly used in the West and is widely
available from both herbalists and chemists. It is an important
ingredient of proprietary eye drops, skin creams, ointments and skin
tonics. It is widely used as an external application to bruises, sore
muscles, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, sore nipples, inflammations etc.
The bark is astringent, haemostatic, sedative and tonic. Tannins in
the bark are believed to be responsible for its astringent and
haemostatic properties. Bottled witch hazel water is a steam distillate
that does not contain the tannins from the shrub, this is less
effective in its action than a tincture. The bark is used internally in
the treatment of diarrhea, colitis, dysentery, hemorrhoids, vaginal
discharge, excessive menstruation, internal bleeding and prolapsed
organs. Branches and twigs are harvested for the bark in the spring.
An infusion of the leaves is used to reduce inflammations, treat
piles, internal hemmorrhages and eye inflammations. The leaves are
harvested in the summer and can be dried for later use.
A homeopathic remedy is made from fresh bark. It is used in the treatment of nosebleeds, piles and varicose veins.
A refreshing tea is made from the leaves and twigs.
The plant is very rich in tannin. It is used cosmetically as an
ingredient in almost any preparation made to relieve capillary
weaknesses.
Seed - raw or cooked. An oily texture. The seeds are about the size
of a barley grain and have a thick bony coat. The reports of edibility
must be treated with some suspicion, they all seem to stem from one
questionable report in the 'Medical Flora' of Refinesque.
Other Common Names: American Witchhazel, Amerika-Mansaku,
Carpe, Chin Lu Mei, Hamamelis, Pistachier Noir, Spotted Alder, Snapping
Hazelnut, Trilopo, Winterbloom, Virginische Toverhazelaar, Virginischer
Zauberstrauch, Hamamelis virginiana
Range: Britain; China; Denmark; France; Germany; Italy;
Netherlands; Spain; Eastern N. America - Nova Scotia to Wisconsin and
south to Texas and N. Florida.
Habitat: Edges of dry or moist woods, in rich soil and on the rocky banks of streams. The best specimens are found in deep rich soils.
The name Hamamelis was adopted from a Greek word to indicate its resemblance to an apple-tree.
Witch hazel bark is a traditional herb of the North American Indians
who used it to heal wounds, treat tumors, eye problems etc. A very
astringent herb, it is commonly used in the West and is widely
available from both herbalists and chemists. It is an important
ingredient of proprietary eye drops, skin creams, ointments and skin
tonics. It is widely used as an external application to bruises, sore
muscles, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, sore nipples, inflammations etc.
The bark is astringent, haemostatic, sedative and tonic. Tannins in
the bark are believed to be responsible for its astringent and
haemostatic properties. Bottled witch hazel water is a steam distillate
that does not contain the tannins from the shrub, this is less
effective in its action than a tincture. The bark is used internally in
the treatment of diarrhea, colitis, dysentery, hemorrhoids, vaginal
discharge, excessive menstruation, internal bleeding and prolapsed
organs. Branches and twigs are harvested for the bark in the spring.
An infusion of the leaves is used to reduce inflammations, treat
piles, internal hemmorrhages and eye inflammations. The leaves are
harvested in the summer and can be dried for later use.
A homeopathic remedy is made from fresh bark. It is used in the treatment of nosebleeds, piles and varicose veins.
A refreshing tea is made from the leaves and twigs.
The plant is very rich in tannin. It is used cosmetically as an
ingredient in almost any preparation made to relieve capillary
weaknesses.
Seed - raw or cooked. An oily texture. The seeds are about the size
of a barley grain and have a thick bony coat. The reports of edibility
must be treated with some suspicion, they all seem to stem from one
questionable report in the 'Medical Flora' of Refinesque.
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