WITCH HAZEL
Hamamelis virginiana
COMMON NAMES: Spotted adler, snapping hazel nut, winter bloom.
FEATURES: Witch hazel is of the family Hamamelidaceae, or of the extract of Hamamelis virginiana. The
genus includes five species, of which two are native to eastern and central North America and three to
eastern Asia. H. virginiana, the common witch hazel of eastern North America, is a shrub or small tree
found growing in bunches like the alder in damp woods in nearly all parts of the United States.
In appearance it comprises several crooked branching stems, 2–6 inches in diameter and 10–12 feet
high, covered with a smooth gray bark with brown spots. The leaves are alternate, oval, wavy-margined,
and turn yellow in the autumn. They possess a degree of fragrance and when chewed are at first somewhat
bitter, very sensibly astringent, and then leave a pungent sweetish taste that remains for a considerable
time. Its flowers have four yellow, strap-shaped petals, four fertile stamens and four staminoid; blooms
mostly in November and December after the leaves have fallen. The fruit, ripening the next autumn, is a
nutlike capsule or pod. Witch hazel is unusual, especially among trees and shrubs, in its time of flowering.
Twigs and crotches of H. virginiana have been used as divining rods.
MEDICINAL PARTS: Bark, leaves.
SOLVENT: Boiling water.
BODILY INFLUENCE: Astringent, tonic, sedative.
USES: Another medicinal tree used by Native Americans for various irritations. To check internal
bleeding it is among the best, especially for excessive menstruation, hemorrhages from the lung, stomach,
uterus, bowels, etc. There is hardly an inflamed condition, internally or externally, that does not respond
to the properties of this product. It is useful for weakening and pain of diarrhea, dysentery, excessive
mucus, and is seldom surpassed for hemorrhoids. If bleeding, inject ½ ounce solution into the rectum and
retain as long as possible; repeat after every bloody discharge. Make the ointment from the boiled leaves,
bark, and coconut oil; chill and make into suppostories. A solution can be used also as enema in diarrhea
and dysentery, and as a douche for leukorrhea, simple vaginitis, and falling of the womb. Has been valued
in incipient tuberculosis and painful tumors. A mouthwash is useful for bleeding gums and inflamed
conditions of the mouth and throat; also as a cotton application for inflamed eyes. The leaves, twigs, and
bark may be made into an infusion and are stronger than the distilled extract.
CAUTION: Tincture from the bark should not be applied directly to the skin. It is extremely astringent and
can cause disfiguration.
DOSE: Simmer 10 minutes 1 ounce of the leaves or bark to 1 pint of water. Take in wineglassful doses
three or four times daily. Of the tincture, 5–20 drops. Children according to age.
EXTERNALLY: Native Americans used witch hazel in poultice form for all external irritations of broken or
unbroken skin conditions. Has been mixed with flax seed for inflamed swelling and tumors of a painful
character. For varicose veins an extract of the fresh leaves and young twigs of witch hazel is applied on a
loosely woven white cotton cloth and kept constantly moist, for relief and to arouse circulation.
HOMEOPATHIC CLINICAL: Tincture of fresh bark of twigs and root (a resinoid, hamamelin, is also