Witch Hazel is a flowering plant popular for its health benefits and ornamental purposes. It grows in beautiful clusters of rich yellow to orange-red flowers. Due to its antiseptic and antibacterial qualities the extract derived from the twigs, bark, and leaves of Witch Hazel is often used in skin ointments, astringents, aftershave lotions, soaps and shower gels. Witch hazel has a whole ton of uses! Here are the top home remedies using witch hazel:
ACNE
Witch hazel is an effective, gentle, and natural way to treat acne or oily skin. You don’t need to waste money on harsh chemical toners that claim to “zap your acne to bits.”
How to use: Apply witch hazel with a cotton ball or cosmetic pad to reduce irritation and appearance of acne or other inflammatory skin conditions. Witch hazel applied to bruises can also help to fade discoloration and speed up the healing process of any underlying damage.
SORE THROAT
Because of witch hazel’s ability to soothe and reduce swelling, this is an excellent, ancient remedy for sore throats.
How to use: If you’re lucky enough to have a witch hazel bush growing nearby, you can easily make witch hazel tea by soaking some leaves and twigs in a cup of very hot water. Add a few cloves for flavour and soak for at least 15 minutes. Then, strain off the solids and gargle with the tea.
HEAL BRUISE
Witch hazel is amazing when it comes to healing bruises. Soak a thin cloth in witch hazel and apply it to your bruise several times a day until the bruise is gone. Your shiner will be gone a lot quicker if you use witch hazel to speed the healing process.
SWOLLEN/INFECTED GUMS
A witch hazel mouth rinse (don’t use witch hazel that contains isopropyl alcohol) can help to reduce pain and swelling of irritated or infected gums. Witch hazel can be used stop minor bleeding of the gums and mouth.
How to use: Try a teaspoon of witch hazel tea with one drop each clove and myrrh oil as a mouthwash to safely relieve teething pain for infants and to soothe swollen or infected gums. The same treatment may also be used to soothe pain caused by emerging wisdom teeth or after oral surgery to reduce discomfort and inflammation.
VARICOSE VEINS
Soak soft cloth in witch hazel and lay over skin affected by varicose veins to reduce swelling and pain.
INSECT BITE
Spray witch hazel to soothe bug bites and stings.
POST HAIR REMOVAL
The anti-inflammatory properties of witch hazel stop itchy bumps from forming up around your irritated hair follicles. Apply before or after shaving or waxing; it should certainly have an impact on your itchy red skin and also prevent ingrown hair. Furthermore, apply witch hazel as an anti-inflammatory post-waxing to stop swelling, pain or rashes.