Witch Hazel - Everything You Need to Know

In this article we would like to explain to you why Witch Hazel is a favorite product of You Madu, how it is made, how best to use this product, and some frequently asked questions regarding witch hazel .

What is Witch Hazel and where does it come from?

Witch Hazel, also known as Witch Hazel or Hamamelis, is a plant. There are four different Witch Hazel plants in North America.

One of these plants is called the Hamamelis Virginiana. The leaves and stem of this plant were already used by the Native Americans in homemade medicines to remedy all kinds of complaints. For example, they used extracts of the Witch Hazel plant to use against swelling and inflammation. And she also made tea with it to relieve stomach complaints.

Years later, even the FDA (the US Food and Drugs Administration) has recognized this plant as one of the few natural products that they approve.

Why Witch Hazel?

The Witch Hazel plant is very rich in tannins. Tannin is a very powerful substance. This comes from the trunk of trees and fruits. The antibacterial properties it contains ensure that tannins attack bacterial infections (e.g. acne & psoriasis).

Tannin is also an antioxidant that fights free radicals, which can cause skin damage.

Finally, tannin is also a natural binding agent, meaning it will naturally remove and strengthen excess oils from the pores without drying them out.

This makes witch hazel an excellent natural toner.

What can you use Witch Hazel for?

1. Soothes inflammation

Inflammation is a normal response of our immune system to protect our body. However, chronic inflammation can play a major role in the development of certain diseases.

Witch Hazel contains several substances with strong anti-inflammatory properties, such as gallic acid and tannin.

It also contains lots of antioxidants that can prevent inflammation from spreading and neutralize free radicals.

Because of these properties, Witch Hazel often has a positive effect against acne, eczema and psoriasis.

2. Soothes red skin

Sensitive and red skin is something that unfortunately happens to a lot of people. Research has shown that applying Witch Hazel to red and/or irritated skin can greatly reduce it.

3. Fights hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are caused by swelling and inflammation of veins in your rectum and anus, which can cause itching and bleeding.

Witch hazel is often used as a natural remedy to soothe painful hemorrhoids. Add a few drops of witch hazel to a cotton swab and apply it to the places where you have aches and pains.

Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, Witch Hazel can help soothe itching and reduce or stop bleeding.

4. Fights Acne

Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, Witch Hazel is very suitable for treating acne. It is best to clean the face with a mild soap first. Witch Hazel causes your pores to shrink slightly, so that it softens the facial skin and can reduce inflammation.

5.Soothes a sensitive scalp

A sensitive and irritated scalp has many possible causes, including the use of strong cosmetic hair masks, air pollution, allergic reactions, psoriasis or seborrheic dermatitis

To protect a sensitive scalp, you can massage a few drops of witch hazel on your scalp before washing it with a natural shampoo. This will make the skin less itchy after washing your hair.

6. Soothes a sore throat

Mix a teaspoon (5ml) witch hazel with 200ml water and let it boil for 10 minutes. Then you should gargle this mixture in your throat a few times, without swallowing it. This will reduce the redness and swelling of your throat.

7. Can protect the skin

The tannins in witch hazel can help protect your skin from external environmental factors, and will prevent free radicals from entering your skin cells.

How to use witch hazel?

Witch hazel is an excellent natural toner that will strengthen your pores. It is best to first clean your skin with water and then apply witch hazel as a toner, followed by your serum or moisturizer (a facial oil such as jojoba, prickly pear oil or argan oil is perfect for this).

We would like to say that witch hazel has an astringent effect and can dry out the skin in some people when first used.

We therefore advise you to handle witch hazel safely and wisely. The first time you use witch hazel, it is best to apply a few drops to a cotton swab to see how your skin reacts.

You can also experiment with a combination of witch hazel with a moisturizing facial oil such as rosehip oil, or with aloe vera juice.

FAQ

Is it safe to take Witch Hazel orally?

We do not recommend taking Witch Hazel orally due to the tannin contained in Witch Hazel. This can be very dangerous, especially for small children.

Can I use Witch Hazel to treat hemorrhoids?

Yes, absolutely! Use only drops of Witch Hazel on a cotton swab, and apply it to the desired places for three minutes, and then clean these places again.

What amount of Witch Hazel should I use?

Witch Hazel can in principle be used freely. However, keep in mind that it can irritate and/or dry out the skin. So always start carefully with a few drops, and see how your skin reacts to this.

Where Can I Buy Witch Hazel

You can view our natural Witch Hazel here. 

You can just here :-). We sell witch hazel in sustainable glass bottles.

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