Synonyms
The witch hazel has the Latin name Hamamelis virginia. It is also known by this name:
- Witch Hazel
- Witch hazel
- Magic Hare and
- Virginian magic bush
Hamamelis virginiana in homeopathy
Definition
The medicinal plant Hamamelis belongs to the family of Hamamelis plants. The witch hazel is a tree-like shrub that can grow up to 10 meters high. It is found in the deciduous forests of North America.
But also here in Europe it can be found in gardens and parks. The pleasantly scented flowers are in bright yellow, coral-like tufts on unleaved branches, after leaf shedding in late autumn or winter. The fruits of the medicinal plant witch hazel form a hazelnut-like, hairy capsule in the following summer, which bursts open when ripe and hurls its seeds away for meters. The bark and leaves are used for medicinal purposes. The leaves of the Virginian witch hazel are collected in autumn, the bark of the branches and twigs only in spring.
History
The name Hamamelis comes from the Greek “hama” (at the same time) and “melon” (fruit), because the shrub first bears fruit within a year and only flowers later. The Indians in North America have been using witch hazel as a medicinal plant for centuries. They valued witch hazel for its healing and beauty-promoting effects.
But it was not until the 18th century that the shrub arrived in Europe, but initially only as an ornamental shrub. In the 19th century, the alcoholic extract from the witch hazel leaves was then used in medical practice. Even today, witch hazel is still frequently used in natural cosmetics.
The medicinal plant witch hazel virginiana, also known as witch hazel, is an 8 to 10 meter high shrub that has its home in North America. But here in Europe, hamamelis is mostly found as an ornamental shrub. The North American Indians have known the witch hazel for centuries as a medicinal plant.
The dried leaves, the bark and the witch hazel water obtained by distilling the branches are used medicinally. The flowers and fruits are not used for medicinal purposes. The parts of the witch hazel plant used, such as leaves, twigs and bark, are processed for the production of medicines.
Important pharmacologically active ingredients are tanning agents, tannins (catechins), proanthocyanidins and essential oils. The composition of the active ingredients varies depending on the plant part. For example, the bark has a higher tannin content and less flavonoids and essential oil than the leaves.
Witch hazel water is an extraction, or distillation from leaves and twigs, in which alcohol is added. However, the tanning agents are only found in the witch hazel extracts, not in the distillation. Therefore, hamamelis extracts are usually preferred in natural cosmetics.
The steam distillate from the branches of the witch hazel contains only essential oils, no tannins and no tanning agents. The aqueous-alcoholic witch hazel extract has a higher effectiveness. The medicinal plant witch hazel contains pharmacological ingredients essential oils, tanning agents, tannins and proanthocyanidins.
Medical uses of witch hazel in: has been scientifically proven. The tannins contained (hamanelitanum and gallotanin) contract the tissue, promote blood clotting and inhibit inflammation. The tannins protect the cells from damage by free radicals and the proanthocyamidina reduce the water loss of the skin.
For external application, a steam distillate is usually used, which does not contain any tanning agents. In case of slight skin injuries, varicose veins or local inflammations of the skin, compresses and rinses from decoctions of witch hazel leaves help. Tea from witch hazel leaves is also used in folk medicine.
Witch hazel is also used in folk medicine for: Witch hazel is used in many different ways in natural cosmetics. It is used in a wide variety of cosmetics such as creams for treating inflammation, aftershave lotions, deodorants and facial tonics.
- Slight skin injuries
- Inflammation of skin and mucous membrane
- As well as for hemorrhoids
- And varicose veins,
- Diarrhea
- Menstrual cramps
- Badly healing wounds
- For hemorrhoids
- Varicose veins and
- For the treatment of neurodermatitis.
There are no known side effects when using witch hazel or its preparations externally.
When taken internally, in the form of teas, sensitive persons may experience stomach problems or possibly damage to the liver. Please always consult your doctor before taking the medicinal plant witch hazel! In addition, sensitive persons can react allergic to external use of witch hazel products. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, the use of witch hazel products should only be carried out after consultation with the treating physician!
