The Many Uses of Witch Hazel Extract (plus how to make it yourself)

When I was growing up, I was fortunate to have my paternal grandparents living right down the street. I spent a lot of time there after school and on weekends mixing up unusual food combinations in the kitchen, which my Grandpa always tasted and assured me were delicious.

I also enjoyed rummaging through Grandma’s hall closet that was jammed full of potions, ointments, creams, and other sundries.  I used to position a small step ladder just inside the open closet door where I would sit on the top step reading the labels of these items and calling out questions to my Grandma (who was sitting just around the corner in her favorite chair) about their uses and practical applications.

It was a treasure trove that fanned my creative imagination like nothing else!

Out of the many and varied concoctions in my Grandma’s closet, her favorite by far was the humble bottle of Witch Hazel extract.

Witch Hazel: Traditional Native American Remedy

Native Americans were the first to recognize the healing properties of witch hazel, a flowering plant with oval shaped leaves, tiny flowers and a stem which can grow as high as 24 feet tall!  It was prepared by boiling the stems with the resulting extract used to treat inflammation, swelling and even cancerous tumors.

Witch Hazel was popularized for mainstream use by Dr. Charles Hawes in the early 1800’s, who concluded after extensive research that Witch Hazel extract had many applications in the field of medicine. By 1846, Dr. Hawes had commercialized the sale of Wiitch Hazel extract under the name “Hawe’s Extract”.

The benefits of Witch Hazel for medicinal use are primarily via its application as a natural and highly effective astringent. It contains an abundance of natural tannins that have the ability to shrink inflamed, swollen tissue and tighten pores. The beneficial effect of Witch Hazel on the skin even extends to facilitating the healing of scars.

Witch Hazel also contains gallic acid, which has anti-viral and anti-fungal properties.  In addition, essential oils, natural resins and flavanoids contribute to Witch Hazel’s gentle but powerful antiseptic and broad spectrum antimicrobial properties.

For those attempting to eliminate exposure to toxic synthetic astringents, Witch Hazel offers all the same benefits without any synthetic and hormone disrupting fragrances, chemicals and preservatives.

Best of all, Witch Hazel is inexpensive and if you happen to need a lot in order to make homemade baby wipes or for other home uses, it is pennies per cup to make yourself.

Many Uses for Witch Hazel Extract

Besides its obvious use as a gentle astringent toner and pore refiner, my Grandma used Witch Hazel for just about anything skin related such as the following:

• Acne and blemishes: Witch Hazel helps shrink, dry up and clear blemishes by acting as a topical anti-inflammatory and antiseptic agent.
• Hemorrhoids: Witch Hazel helps to shrink, soothe, and stop the bleeding of hemorrhoids, which are really just a form of varicose veins.  Witch Hazel can be particularly soothing after vaginal childbirth when the pushing of the birth process can inflame rectal veins and cause swelling.
• Diaper Rash:  The gentle but rapid soothing action of Witch Hazel makes it perfect for reducing inflammation and discomfort from diaper use.
• Eye puffiness: Witch Hazel is a common ingredient in homemade eye creams to reduce bags and puffiness in the eye area by shrinking the delicate tissue.
• Poison Ivy: If you love to camp, be sure to always have a bottle of Witch Hazel packed with your gear as it is useful for reducing the painful rash, swelling or itching from poison ivy and poison oak.
• Varicose Veins: Witch Hazel application to painful varicose veins can help get you back on your feet.  Soaking a cloth in Witch Hazel and wrapping it around the infected leg is how it has been traditionally used for this purpose.
• Bruises: A dab of Witch Hazel on bruises several times a day helps them heal faster.
• Sunburn: The anti-inflammatory effects of Witch Hazel are particularly helpful for managing the effects of sunburn and minimizing peeling.
• Underarm Odor: Witch Hazel is antimicrobial and is effective as an underarm deodorant particularly if someone is sensitive to baking soda.
• Bug Bites: Applying Witch Hazel with a cotton ball to bug bites is very effective for reducing itching and swelling.  It also encourages a faster healing time.
• Dandruff: Gallic acid in Witch Hazel is an effective anti-fungal.  Dandruff is a candida related condition, which is why topical application to the scalp works so well for controlling its flaky effects.

In addition to its use for skin conditions of all kinds, Witch Hazel can be used as a stain remover for wiping down counters and table tops. Just mix one cup of Witch Hazel with a gallon of water and you are ready to use.  It also has a refreshing scent and is a healthy substitute for synthetic, hormone disrupting fragrances in store bought fresheners.

Should Witch Hazel Be Ingested?

Ingestion of concentrated Witch Hazel Extract is not advisable.  The stems, however, can be used for making a simple herbal tea as prescribed and supervised by an holistic practitioner.

How to Make Witch Hazel Extract

The most potent Witch Hazel is made by boiling the stems as practiced by the Native Americans.  This ideally requires access to a flowering Witch Hazel shrub to obtain fresh stems.

Simply put a pound of broken pieces of twigs and stems into a large pot and cover with distilled water. Bring the water to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer on low uncovered for about 8 hours until the stems become very soft.  Be sure to add more distilled water as needed during this time to keep the twigs covered.

At the end of the allotted cooking time, remove the pot from the heat and cool completely.  Strain the Witch Hazel extract with a fine cheesecloth into a large glass jar.

You may use the Witch Hazel as is, but it will only last about a week or two in the refrigerator.  If you would like to make it shelf stable and last as much as a year, measure how much Witch Hazel extract you have and mix in half that amount in alcohol from the pharmacy.

What to Do if You Can’t Find Witch Hazel Stems

If you don’t have access to a live Witch Hazel shrub to obtain fresh stems, you may purchase and use Witch Hazel bark instead (where to find).

The process for making Witch Hazel extract with the bark instead of stems is basically the same except that the simmering time will be much shorter until the bark gets soft – an hour or so instead of 8 hours like with the stems.

Another drawback is that you must purchase the bark whereas pruning the stems from a live Witch Hazel shrub is free.

Herb Infused Witch Hazel Extract Recipe

Whether you choose to make your own Witch Hazel or simply buy a bottle to save time, you can easily infuse it with herbs to make it more enjoyable and even potent for use.

Some herbs that are great to use in any combination you choose for a Witch Hazel infusion include: Basil, Calendula, Chamomile, Elder flowers, Green Sencha Leaf tea, Lavender flowers, Lemon Balm, Lemon peel, Lemon Verbena, Lemongrass,  Nettle leaf, Orange Peel, Peppermint, Rose petals, Rosemary, Sage, Red Clover flowers, Vanilla beans. To make it super simple, cut open herbal tea bags that you already have and use these if you like.

Place whatever combination of dried herbs you select in a glass mason jar and cover with either store bought or homemade Witch Hazel extract.  Be sure that the herbs are covered by at least 1-2 inches as the dried herbs will swell once liquid is absorbed.

Screw on the lid tightly and place in a cool dark place allowing a full 2 weeks for the herbs to infuse.  Shaking the jar every day or as often as you think about it is a good idea.

At the end of the infusion period, strain out the herbs with a cheesecloth and pour your delightfully scented Witch Hazel Extract into a clean bottle and label.

Bottles of herb infused Witch Hazel make a great gift!

Sarah, The Healthy Home Economist

Sources and More Information

The Ultimate Guide to Witch Hazel

Herb Infused Witch Hazel

Homemade Organic Baby Wipes

Picture Credit

Sarah

The Healthy Home Economist holds a Master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania. Mother to 3 healthy children, blogger, and best-selling author, she writes about the practical application of Traditional Diet and evidence-based wellness within the modern household. Her work has been featured by USA Today, The New York Times, ABC, NBC, and many others.