WITCH HAZEL: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Witch hazel is a plant. The leaf, bark, and twigs are used to make medicine. You may see a product called witch hazel water (Hamamelis water, distilled witch hazel extract). This is a liquid that is distilled from dried leaves, bark, and partially dormant twigs of witch hazel.

Witch hazel is taken by mouth for diarrhea, mucus colitis, vomiting blood, coughing up blood, tuberculosis, colds, fevers, tumors, and cancer.

Some people apply witch hazel directly to the skin for itching, pain and swelling (inflammation), eye inflammation, skin injury, mucous membrane inflammation, vaginal dryness after menopause, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, bruises, insect bites, minor burns, acne, sensitive scalp, and other skin irritations.

In manufacturing, witch hazel leaf extract, bark extract, and witch hazel water are used as astringents to tighten the skin. They are also included in some medications to give those products the ability to slow down or stop bleeding. Those medications are used for treating insect bites, stings, teething, hemorrhoids, itching, irritations, and minor pain.

How does it work ?

Witch hazel contains chemicals called tannins. When applied directly to the skin, witch hazel might help reduce swelling, help repair broken skin, and fight bacteria.

View References

REFERENCES:

Duwiejua, M., Zeitlin, I. J., Waterman, P. G., and Gray, A. I. Anti-inflammatory activity of Polygonum bistorta, Guaiacum officinale and Hamamelis virginiana in rats. J.Pharm.Pharmacol. 1994;46(4):286-290. View abstract.

East, C. E., Begg, L., Henshall, N. E., Marchant, P., and Wallace, K. Local cooling for relieving pain from perineal trauma sustained during childbirth. Cochrane.Database.Syst.Rev. 2007;(4):CD006304. View abstract.

Engel, R., Gutmann, M., Hartisch, C., Kolodziej, H., and Nahrstedt, A. Study on the composition of the volatile fraction of Hamamelis virginiana. Planta Med 1998;64(3):251-258. View abstract.

Erdelmeier, C. A., Cinatl, J., Jr., Rabenau, H., Doerr, H. W., Biber, A., and Koch, E. Antiviral and antiphlogistic activities of Hamamelis virginiana bark. Planta Med. 1996;62(3):241-245. View abstract.

Hartisch, C., Kolodziej, H., and von Bruchhausen, F. Dual inhibitory activities of tannins from Hamamelis virginiana and related polyphenols on 5-lipoxygenase and lyso-PAF: acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase. Planta Med. 1997;63(2):106-110. View abstract.

Hill, N., Stam, C., and van Haselen, R. A. The efficacy of Prrrikweg gel in the treatment of insect bites: a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Pharm World Sci 1996;18(1):35-41. View abstract.

Hughes-Formella, B. J., Bohnsack, K., Rippke, F., Benner, G., Rudolph, M., Tausch, I., and Gassmueller, J. Anti-inflammatory effect of hamamelis lotion in a UVB erythema test. Dermatology 1998;196(3):316-322. View abstract.

Hughes-Formella, B. J., Filbry, A., Gassmueller, J., and Rippke, F. Anti-inflammatory efficacy of topical preparations with 10% hamamelis distillate in a UV erythema test. Skin Pharmacol.Appl.Skin Physiol 2002;15(2):125-132. View abstract.

Iauk, L., Lo Bue, A. M., Milazzo, I., Rapisarda, A., and Blandino, G. Antibacterial activity of medicinal plant extracts against periodontopathic bacteria. Phytother.Res 2003;17(6):599-604. View abstract.

Khanna, N. and Datta, Gupta S. Rejuvenating facial massage--a bane or boon? Int J Dermatol. 2002;41(7):407-410. View abstract.

Kiran, M. D., Adikesavan, N. V., Cirioni, O., Giacometti, A., Silvestri, C., Scalise, G., Ghiselli, R., Saba, V., Orlando, F., Shoham, M., and Balaban, N. Discovery of a quorum-sensing inhibitor of drug-resistant staphylococcal infections by structure-based virtual screening. Mol.Pharmacol. 2008;73(5):1578-1586. View abstract.

Korting, H. C., Schafer-Korting, M., Klovekorn, W., Klovekorn, G., Martin, C., and Laux, P. Comparative efficacy of hamamelis distillate and hydrocortisone cream in atopic eczema. Eur.J.Clin.Pharmacol. 1995;48(6):461-465. View abstract.

Lloyd JU, Lloyd JT. History of Hamamelis (witch hazel) extract and distillate. Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association 1935;24(6)

MacKay, D. Hemorrhoids and varicose veins: a review of treatment options. Altern Med Rev 2001;6(2):126-140. View abstract.

Royer, R. J. and Schmidt, C. L. [Evaluation of venotropic drugs by venous gas plethysmography. A study of procyanidolic oligomers (author's transl)]. Sem Hop 12-18-1981;57(47-48):2009-2013. View abstract.

von Dohlen, C. D., Kurosu, U., and Aoki, S. Phylogenetics and evolution of the eastern Asian-eastern North American disjunct aphid tribe, Hormaphidini (Hemiptera: Aphididae). Mol.Phylogenet.Evol. 2002;23(2):257-267. View abstract.

Wolff, H. H. and Kieser, M. Hamamelis in children with skin disorders and skin injuries: results of an observational study. Eur.J.Pediatr. 2007;166(9):943-948. View abstract.

Covington TR, et al. Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs. 11th ed. Washington, DC: American Pharmaceutical Association, 1996.

Henneicke-von Zepelin HH, Williams R, Havemeister W, Wigger-Alberti W, Nolte KU. Clinical trial shows lasting function of a new moisturizing cream against vaginal dryness. Wien Med Wochenschr. 2017 May;167(7-8):189-95. View abstract.

Hormann HP, Korting HC. Evidence for the efficacy and safety of topical herbal drugs in dermatology: part I: anti-inflammatory agents. Phytomedicine 1994;1:161-71.

Korting HC, Schafer-Korting M, Hart H, et al. Anti-inflammatory activity of hamamelis distillate applied topically to the skin. Influence of vehicle and dose. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 1993;44:315-8.. View abstract.

Robbers JE, Tyler VE. Tyler's Herbs of Choice: The Therapeutic Use of Phytomedicinals. New York, NY: The Haworth Herbal Press, 1999.

Theisen LL, Erdelmeier CA, Spoden GA, Boukhallouk F, Sausy A, Florin L, Muller CP. Tannins from Hamamelis virginiana bark extract: characterization and improvement of the antiviral efficacy against influenza A virus and human papillomavirus. PLoS One. 2014 Jan 31;9(1):e88062. View abstract.

Trüeb RM. North American Virginian Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana): Based Scalp Care and Protection for Sensitive Scalp, Red Scalp, and Scalp Burn-Out. Int J Trichology. 2014 Jul;6(3):100-3. View abstract.

Weber RW. Allergen of the month--witch hazel. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2012 Nov;109(5):A17. View abstract.

[Drug therapy of hemorrhoids. Proven results of therapy with a hamamelis containing hemorrhoid ointment. Results of a meeting of experts. Dresden, 30 August 1991]. Fortschr.Med.Suppl 1991;116:1-11. View abstract.

Balansard, P., Faure, F., Balansard, G., Delaage, M., Roussey, A., and Bouyard, P. [Tonivenous effect of a purified extreact from Hamamelis virginiana]. Therapie 1972;27(5):793-799. View abstract.

Bernard, P., Balansard, P., Balansard, G., and Bovis, A. [Venitonic pharmacodynamic value of galenic preparations with a base of hamamelis leaves]. J.Pharm.Belg. 1972;27(4):505-512. View abstract.

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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.

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WITCH HAZEL - Uses, Side Effects, and More

Overview

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Uses & Effectiveness ?

Possibly Effective for

Possibly Ineffective for

Insufficient Evidence for

Side Effects

Special Precautions and Warnings

Interactions ?

Dosing

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