Witch hazel: a traditional remedy for hemorrhoids and acne
What is witch hazel? What are its benefits for health and beauty? And how can you take advantage of it? Could it cause any damage? The most important information in the following article.
Let's get acquainted with the following on the witch hazel and some important information related to it.
What is witch hazel?
Witch hazel is a liquid extracted by distillation from the leaves and bark of a shrub called Hamamelis virginiana. It is often sold in drugstores because of its potential health benefits, especially when applied topically to problem skin.
On the bushes from which witch hazel is extracted, yellow or orange flowers appear. One of the interesting observations about this shrub is that its seeds are contained in capsules that explode without warning during the autumn season to scatter the seeds in the vicinity of the shrub.
The potential benefits of witch hazel stem from the fact that it contains a group of substances that may have many health benefits, such as tannins, which have natural sterile and antioxidant properties.
Because of its potential benefits, it is common to find witch hazel among the ingredients list of many different care products, such as shampoos, shaving creams, acne treatment ointments, anti-aging creams, skin toners, and makeup removers.
witch hazel uses
Here is a list of the most prominent potential benefits of witch hazel:
1. Hemorrhoids treatment
Using witch hazel may help reduce the general discomfort that hemorrhoids may cause, as this liquid contains natural substances that may help relieve the following symptoms associated with hemorrhoids: swelling, burning, and bleeding.
But it is preferable to consult a doctor first before using this type of prescription, especially if the patient is using blood-clotting medicine.
2. Acne relief
Applying witch hazel (or preparations containing it) topically to the skin may help in treating acne, as witch hazel contains compounds and substances with sterile properties for the skin, which may make it a suitable option for people with oily skin and for people who are prone to acne.
This liquid may also help calm skin and reduce irritation, which may also be beneficial for people with acne.
3. Reducing symptoms associated with insect bites
Because witch hazel has natural anti-swelling and anti-itching properties, its use may help relieve symptoms that may appear after being bitten by certain types of insects.
4. Reducing PMS symptoms
This liquid may have many potential benefits related to women's menstrual cycle, as witch hazel may help:
- Reducing heavy periods, by slowing the frequency of bleeding during the menstrual cycle, which may be useful in cases of heavy periods.
- Reducing some of the symptoms that often accompany menstruation in many women, such as: bloating, pain, and cramps.
But it is best to consult a doctor first before resorting to this type of natural recipe.
5. Improve scalp and hair health
Witch hazel may have multiple benefits for hair and scalp, as it may help:
- Clean the scalp of the dirt accumulated on it, and keep it clean and healthy.
- Resist some scalp problems, or reduce the chances of infection, such as the itchy scalp, and psoriasis of the head.
6. Other benefits
Witch hazel may have many other beauty and health benefits, such as:
- Reducing minor bleeding in the skin.
- Reducing skin itching in eczema patients.
- Resist skin irritation that occurred for some reason, and reduce its severity.
- Prevention of ingrown hair, or the so-called ingrown hairs under the skin, especially when this liquid is applied to the skin after hair removal.
- Treatment and resistance of some other skin problems, such as bruises, minor burns, varicose veins, stretch marks, and rashes.
- Other benefits, such as: improving digestion, treating headaches, relieving pain, and speeding up wound healing.
How to use witch hazel
To get the potential benefits of witch hazel, which we mentioned above, you can use it in different ways, as follows:
- Insect tablet: Make a paste of witch hazel and a little baking soda, then apply the paste to the irritated area.
- Hemorrhoids: Apply compresses pre-soaked with witch hazel to the affected tissue in the hemorrhoidal area.
- Scalp Health: Add a few drops of witch hazel to your shampoo, or mix it with a little argan oil and use it on your hair regularly.
- Acne: Dip a piece of cotton in witch hazel, then pass the cotton on the face to treat acne and to prevent it from appearing.
Witch hazel side effects
Witch hazel may have potential side effects, such as:
- Disorders of the stomach when taken orally.
- Inflammation and irritation of the skin in some rare cases.
- Liver or kidney damage when taken orally in large amounts.