Why witch hazel really is as powerful as a witch's potion

Witch hazel is very deserving of its name. It is so powerful and potent that it seems to work by magic. Though most of us know witch hazel as a clear liquid, it actually comes from a plant. The witch hazel plant was grown by Native Americans for centuries and can actually be grown in your home today.

The clear liquid we know as witch hazel is a distilled extract from the bark and leaves of the witch hazel plant. It contains tannins known to reduce swelling, repair broken skin, and fight bacteria. It is perhaps most well known for its use as a facial toner intended to clear acne. But it can also be used for a range of other home remedies, from hemorrhoids to bug bites. 

Witch hazel has long been used to dry up pimples and target acne. Wtch hazel works so well because it is an astringent and a disinfectant. This means it shrinks pores and reduces the amount of bacteria on and in the skin. It also helps reduce swelling and redness. Try wiping your clean face with a witch hazel-soaked cotton pad in the morning and night. 

Also known as "spider veins," varicose veins appear when blood vessels dilate. Not only are their appearance unseemly, but they can also be quite painful. Witch hazel can help shrink varicose veins because the solution works as a vasoconstrictor, which means it constricts the veins under the skin's surface. It also strengthens the veins themselves and works as an anti-inflammatory. To use this home remedy, apply cold compresses of witch hazel to varicose veins twice daily. 

Witch hazel can stop the bleeding of minor cuts and scrapes. This is because witch hazel tightens skin and promotes healing. It has the additional benefit of acting as a disinfectant. 

The swelling, itching, and burning of a hemorrhoid can be horrifying. Dipping a cotton ball in witch hazel and applying it directly to the hemorrhoid for up to 3 minutes can provide relief. Apply witch hazel after each bowel movement until the hemorrhoid heals. 

If your gums are inflamed, it is imperative you treat them before the infection develops into periodontal disease. Make it a habit of rubbing your gums with witch hazel for 15 minutes every day.

Whether you've been bitten by a mosquito, gnat, flea, or spider, witch hazel can be effective in healing the bite and soothing the itch. Try making a paste out of baking soda and witch hazel. The two ingredients together are especially effective in reducing swelling 

Rinsing your hair with witch hazel in between shampooing and conditioning can moisture your scalp and help heal damaged skin. 

Witch hazel is known to reduce the swelling, itching, and peeling that occurs after a serious sunburn. Try using a cotton cloth to directly apply witch hazel to sunburnt skin.  

Witch hazel is the clear choice for most skin ailments. So whether its acne, a sunburn, or a minor cut, don't hesitate to reach for the bottle of witch hazel. 

In what other ways do you use witch hazel? Tell us and SHARE this article on social media!