Witch hazel bark and leaves are offered less in the form of tea and more in the form of ointments, gels, suppositories and tinctures of the indication venous, skin and hemorrhoidal disorders. The drugs are included in only a few vein and hemorrhoidal teas. Combination preparations of the bark and leaves are also commercially available. Externally and internally, steam distillates can further be used.
Witch hazel – dosage
The average daily dose for internal use is 0.1-1 g of witch hazel bark or leaves in appropriate preparations several times a day. Suppositories containing 0.1-1 g of the bark or leaves can be introduced rectally 1-3 times a day.
Externally, the bark preparations (for example, ointments, creams or compresses diluted with water) can be applied or applied to the affected areas of the skin several times a day. The dosage depends on the surface to be treated.
Witch hazel – preparation as a tea
For a tea made from witch hazel leaves, 1-2 g of the finely chopped leaves (1 teaspoon corresponds to about 0.5 g) is poured over boiling water and after 10 minutes is passed through a tea strainer.
To prepare a tea from witch hazel bark, 2 g of the powdered or finely chopped bark (1 teaspoon corresponds to about 2.5 g) is mixed with cold water, boiled for 10-15 minutes and strained hot.
For inflammation of the mouth or throat, the infusions can be used to rinse or gargle several times a day.
Notes on the use of witch hazel
Interactions with other remedies and contraindications are currently not known.
In aqueous extracts of the drugs, the tannins are predominant as efficacy-determining ingredients, while in preparations with the steam distillates, the essential oil is determinant for the effect. It is therefore recommended to alternate the use of both dosage forms – this way the different ingredients can be optimally utilized.
Witch hazel leaves and bark should be kept dry, cool and protected from light.
