PDR for Herbal Medicines

822 /WITCH HAZEL PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

thickly pubescent. It bursts so dramatically in autumn that

the 2 dark seeds are projected up to 4 m away from the plant.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is a tree-like deciduous

bush that typically grows 2 to 3 m high (but sometimes

reaches heights up to 10 m) with a trunk diameter of 40 cm.

The bark is thin, brown on the outside, reddish on the inside.

The older branches are bushy, divided and silver-gray to

gray-brown. The younger branches are yellowish-brown with

hairs. The alternate leaves have stipules. The leaf margin is

roughly crenate, bluntly indented to irregularly sweeping.

Habitat: Witch Hazel originated in the deciduous forests of

Atlantic North America. The tree is common in European

gardens and parks, and is also cultivated in subtropical

countries.

Production: Witch Hazel leaf is obtained from the leaves of

Hamamelis virginiana, which are collected in autumn and

dried rapidly. Witch Hazel bark is the dried bark of the trunk

and branches of Hamamelis virginiana.

Not to be Confused With: Witch Hazel is sometimes

confused with Hazelnut bark, to which it bears a resem-

blance. Confusion can arise between Witch Hazel leaves and

the leaves of Corylus avellana (hazelnut leaves), which are

sometimes substituted as an adulteration.

Other Names: Hamamelis. Hazel Nut, Snapping Hazel,

Spotted Alder, Striped Alder, Tobacco Wood, Winterbloom

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS: WITCH HAZEL BARK

Tannins (up to 12%): including hamamelitannin, monogal-

loyl hamameloses

Catechins: including (+)-catechin, (+)-gallocatechin, (-)-epi-

catechin gallate(III), (-)-epigallocatechin gallate(III)

OUgomeric procyanidins

EFFECTS: WITCH HAZEL BARK

Witch Hazel bark is astringent, anti-inflammatory and

locally hemostatic.

COMPOUNDS: WITCH HAZEL LEAF

Tannins ( 5%): including hamamelitannin

Catechins: including (+)-catechin, (+)-gallocatechin, (-)-epi-

catechin gallate(III), (-)-epigallocatechin gallate(III)

OUgomeric procyanidins

Volatile oil (0.01 to 0.5%): steam distillate, consisting

chiefly of aliphatic carbonyl compounds, for example hex-2-

en-l-ale, 6-methyl-hepta-3,5-dien-2-one aliphatic alcohols,

aliphatic esters

Flavonoids: including quercitrin, isoquercitrin

EFFECTS: WITCH HAZEL LEAF

The tannins and tannin elements have an astringent, anti-

inflammatory and locally hemostatic effect.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Approved by Commission E:

• Hemorrhoids


• Inflammation of the mouth and pharynx (leaf only)


• Inflammation of the skin


• Venous conditions


• Wounds and bums
  Unproven Uses: Witch Hazel leaf and bark arc used
  internally in folk medicine for non-specific diarrheic ail-
  ments (such as inflammation of the mucous membrane of the
  large intestine and colon), hematemesis, hemoptysis and also
  for menstrual complaints. Efficacy in the treatment of
  diarrhea seems plausible because of the tannin content.
  Witch Hazel is used externally for minor injuries of the skin,
  localized inflamed swelling of the skin and mucous mem-
  branes, hemorrhoids and varicose veins. It is also used in
  folk medicine for inflammation of the mucosa of the colon,
  hematemesis and hemoptysis.

Homeopathic Use: Applications for use of Witch Hazel bark

in homeopathy include hemorrhoids, varicose veins, skin

inflammation and bleeding of the mucous membranes.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

Health risks following the proper administration of designat-

ed therapeutic dosages are not recorded. If taken internally,

the tannin content of the drug can lead to digestive

complaints. Liver damage is conceivable following long-

term administration, but rare.

DOSAGE

WITCH HAZEL BARK

Mode of Administration: Witch Hazel Bark is available as

comminuted drug or extract for internal and external use as

galenic preparations. A steam distillate of the fresh leaves

and bark is used for internal and external application.

How Supplied: Forms of commercial pharmaceutical prepa-

rations include: cream; gel; ointment; suppositories.

Preparation: Various formulations of Witch Hazel are

prepared as follows:

External—aqueous steam distillate (Witch Hazel water)

undiluted, or diluted 1:3 with water.

For poultices—20 to 30% in semi-solid preparations.

Extract preparations—semi-solid and liquid preparations,

corresponding to 5 to 10% drug.

Compresses and rinses—decoctions of 5 to 10 g of herb per

cup (250 ml) of water.