Witch Hazel in Herbal Medicine: Properties of Witch Hazel

Scientific name

Family

Origin

Parts Used

Chemical constituents

• Tannins (3-12%), among which the main constituent is the witch hazel;
• Catechins;
• Procyanidins;
• Flavonoids (among which we find quercetin, mycetin, astragaline and kaempferol);
• Essential oil (0.01-0.5%), in which we find hexanal, safrole, acetaldehyde, alcohols, phenols.

Witch Hazel in Herbal Medicine: Property of Witch Hazel

Witch hazel has phlebotonic, astringent, vasoconstricting, haemostatic and analgesic-anti-inflammatory properties. It is therefore indicated against hemorrhoids and varicose veins; witch hazel exhibits anti-diarrheal, anti-haemorrhagic, haemostatic, and anti-inflammatory properties against gingivitis and oral inflammation.
For external use, witch hazel extracts are used in the presence of oily and impure skin, with excessive sebaceous secretion, and are also indicated in the presence of fissures, phlebitis and venous ulcers of the lower limbs.