The witch hazel or witch’s broom is a deciduous shrub that belongs to the family of the Hamamelidaceae and it is characterized by its yellow flowers and its black seeds. This plant, with the scientific name of Hamamelis virginiana, It is cultivated in some regions of China, Japan and North America for the different medicinal and cosmetic uses of both its leaves and its bark.
Among the different utilities and health benefits that the witch hazel plant has, its powerful astringent properties stand out, which are ideal both for the care of our skin and to combat some disorders of the body. In this oneHOWTO article we explain what is witch hazel for, its different properties for our health and what are its contraindications.
Nutritional composition and properties of witch hazel
Witch hazel is a deciduous plant that contains the following nutrients within its composition:
- Flavonoids: are plant pigments, including quercetin, isoquercitin and myricithin among others, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Tannins: highlights its content in gallic acid and hamamelitanin, which contain excellent astringent properties with venotonic action.
- Essential oils like safrole, esters and alcohol with great haemostatic and antiseptic properties.
- It also contains other nutrients such as carbohydrates (hamamellose) and saponins.
It is used for different problems of the circulatory system
Witch hazel has powerful astringent properties that act on the circulatory system, especially blood vessels, which reduce inflammation and solve the following circulatory problems:
- Varicose veins: It can be used as well as in external use by applying the witch hazel extract through a massage, or in internal use by preparing an infusion with the dried leaves of the plant.
- Phlebitis: its venotonic action acts and reduces inflammation in the veins.
- Bruises and bruises: By preparing witch hazel, you can both reduce the appearance and inflammation of these problems, as well as alleviate the pain that occurs in these wounds.
- Poor circulation in the legs: It is ideal for those who remain on their feet for a long time, since by means of compresses with witch hazel, pain and swelling of the legs can be relieved.
- Hemorrhoids: Piles can be relieved by witch hazel preparations or creams.
Properties of witch hazel for the skin
Witch hazel also serves as a natural remedy for some skin care, since thanks to its different properties, it offers us the following benefits on the skin:
Effective remedy against acne
Its astringent and anti-inflammatory properties make it effective as a natural remedy to reduce acne and other skin blemishes. Witch hazel can also be used by those who tend to have oily skin, since it eliminates shine on the face without drying the skin.
Facial tonic
Its astringent properties due to its richness in tannins, also make it an excellent tonic for facial skin. These properties and its anti-inflammatory power relieve inflammation and discomfort in the face.
In addition, it is also effective for other skin conditions such as couperose, that is, the appearance of capillaries on the face. Thanks to its venotonic action, it visibly reduces this species of cobwebs.
Anti-dark circles treatment
- Its anti-inflammatory properties also serve to reduce bags under the eyes and, in this way, the skin is regenerated.
- They also treat other eye problems, such as dry eyes, due to its excellent soothing properties.
- In addition, it also has antioxidant properties that prevent wrinkles and expression lines in the eyes.
Relieves symptoms of menopause
Another of the healing properties of witch hazel is that, thanks to its anti-inflammatory and astringent effect, helps treat the following menopausal symptoms:
- It can reduce, in the form of an infusion, the typical hot flashes of this disorder.
- At this stage, there are also some changes in the skin such as dryness and more visible wrinkles on the face. As we have seen previously, witch hazel is a natural remedy for these skin problems.
- It can also relieve other menopausal pain, such as headache or joint pain thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties.
- Finally, it reduces fluid retention and other circulatory problems such as varicose veins and cellulite, which are very common problems at this stage.
Contraindications of witch hazel
Witch hazel may have some contraindications in those people who are in the following situations:
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: some plants such as witch hazel are not recommended, as they can alter the conditions of the fetus and breast milk.
- Digestive disorders: its richness in tannins makes it contraindicated in people with heartburn, colitis, ulcers and other gastrointestinal problems.
- People with iron deficiency anemia: its tannin content prevents the body from absorbing iron correctly.
- Liver diseases: its safrole and tannin content can worsen diseases such as hepatitis, cirrhosis and other alterations in the liver.
- It is also contraindicated in people who are taking blood thinning medications.
This article is merely informative, at oneHOWTO we do not have the power to prescribe any medical treatment or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
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