Common Name

Standardized: witch hazel

Botanical Name

Hamamelis virginiana L.
Plant Family: Hamamelidaceae

Overview

Witch hazel is a leather-leafed deciduous shrub native to eastern United States. The bottoms of its leaves are dull gray, but the upward facing surfaces of the leaves are shiny green.

Witch hazel is easy to recognize in the woods in autumn because as other trees are losing their leaves, witch hazel is covered with threadlike, golden-yellow flowers. Both the bark and the leaves are used in herbal medicine.

Parts Used

Leaf

Typical Preparations

Teas, tinctures, creams. Witch hazel leaf water can be made without alcohol as its constituents are water soluble.

Most Important Medicinal Properties of Witch Hazel

• Astringent
• Hemostatic
• Styptic
• Tonic
• Anti-abortive
• Anti-phlogistic
• Sedative
• Anti-inflammatory
• Antiseptic
• Antibacterial
• Antiviral