Witch Hazel
Botanical Description & Habitat
Hamamelis virginiana
Family
Hamamelidaceae
Common names
| Snapping hazel | Spotted alder |
| Striped alder | Tobacco wood |
| Winterbloom | Witch hazel |
Habitat
Indigenous shrub found throughout the United States. It flourishes in dry to moist woods, along the borders of forests, and along the banks of streams.
Description
Grows from 8 to 15 feet in height, and is covered with a scaly, gray to brown bark. The leaves are alternate, coarsely toothed, green on both sides; they have veins on their underside that are slightly hairy. The flowers are bright yellow and grow in axillary clusters. The fruit is a capsule which contains two black seeds which are ejected when the fruit ripens.
Medicinal parts
Bark, dried
leaves, fresh or dried, collected just after full development in the spring
Historical Properties & Uses
The use of witch hazel began with Native Americans, and was subsequently adopted by the white community. Now, it has become the premier treatment for hemorrhoids, finding a place in many currently available hemorrhoid preparations. Its effectiveness is attributable to the presence of astringent tannins. However, a tannin-free witch hazel water (hamamelis water) is also very astringent, indicating presence of other astringent chemicals besides the tannin.
It has been suggested the alcohol content of the witch hazel water could be the source of its astringent properties. Laboratory tests have shown witch hazel lowers blood pressure, decreases renal volume, accelerates respiration and inhibits peristalsis. These effects suggest a primary effect on the venous system, acting to restore tone, health and vigor throughout the system. It also has a powerful hemostatic property.
These two effects would explain why the herb works so well on hemorrhoids and other venous problems like varicose veins and phlebitis, and why a poultice or tincture is effective in mending any sort of minor bleeding such as nosebleed, and scratches. The presence of tannin would likewise account for the plant's reputation as a treatment for conditions of the uterus, cervix and vagina, including vaginitis, prolapsus, and the aching pains of weight and fullness. Witch hazel leaf is also bacteriostatic when applied topically to surfaces.
Witch hazel leaf and bark have approval status by the German Commission E for minor injuries of the skin, local inflammation of the skin and mucous membranes and most notably hemorrhoids and varicose veins.
References:
Blumenthal, M (Ed.): The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council. Austin, TX. 1998.
Method of Action
Many of the primary properties of witch hazel leaf and water can be due to its tannin content alone (8% in the leaf). However, witch hazel water, which has no tannin at all, is also astringent. The astringency of the latter may be due to the presence of alcohol.
The antibacterial, antifungal, antitubercular and molluscicidal properties of witch hazel are probably a function of the leaf's essential oil content (eugenol and carvacol) combined with the tannic acid. The tannic acid fraction, in particular, is that which was found to kill the freshwater snail Biomphalaria glabrata, the intermediate host of the trematode Schistosoma. Schistosomiasis is one of the most widespread parasitic diseases in tropical and subtropical countries. Fractions containing the oils, but not the tannin, were ineffective. In antibacterial tests, the oils were found to be effective.
A recent study on rabbits showed an alcoholic fluidextract of witch hazel definitely constricts the veins, but the active component was not identified. Laboratory tests have shown witch hazel lowers blood pressure, decreases renal volume, accelerates respiration and inhibits peristalsis. These effects suggest a primary effect on the venous system.
Witch Hazel Leaf Inhibits Hyaluronidase
Like echinacea, but to a lesser degree, witch hazel inhibits the enzyme hyaluronidase, and thereby increases the body's ability to resist the invasion of infectious organisms. It should also find application in case of acute rheumatoid arthritis and peri-arthritic processes. In combination with antihistamines, the leaf would inhibit allergic conditions and the spreading of malignant cancers.
Drug Interactions & Precautions
There is presently insufficient data on this subject.
Safety Factors & Toxicity
The toxicity level of witch hazel has not been determined at this time.
Witch hazel leaf and bark have approval status by the German Commission E.
References:
Blumenthal, M (Ed.): The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council. Austin, TX. 1998.
Preparation & Administration
Three times a day
Dried leaf
1-3 grams
Tea
made from 1/2 tsp dried leaf
Fluid extract
1:1 in 45% alcohol, 2-4 ml
Tincture
from bark 1:10 in alcohol: external application
Hamamelis water (Witch hazel water)
external application
distilled from macerated twigs with 14% added alcohol
This herb has approval status by the German Commission E.
Recommended daily dosages in Germany are as follows:
Internal:
0.1 - 1 g as a suppository or witch hazel water, 1 - 3 times daily.
External:
20 - 30% for poultices.
5 - 10% extract.
5 - 10 g of the herb per cup (250 ml) of water for compresses and irrigations.
References:
Blumenthal, M (Ed.): The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council. Austin, TX. 1998.
Note: This Herbal Preparation information is a summary of data from books and articles by various authors. It is not intended to replace the advice or attention of health care professionals.
References
Am Hospital Formulary Service. Am Soc of Hosp Pharm. Wash, D.C.
Bernard, P., P. Balansard, G. Balansard & A. Bovis. Journal De Pharmacie De Belgique, 27, 505-512, 1972.
Blumenthal, M (Ed.): The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council. Austin, TX. 1998.
Bressler, R., M.D. Bogdonoff & G.J. Subak-Sharpe. 1981. The Physicians Drug Manual. Doubleday & Co, Inc. Garden City, NY. 1213 pp.
Buesing, K.H. Hyaluronidasehemmung als wirkungsmechanismus einiger therapeutisch nuzbarer naturstoffe. Arzneimittel-forschung, 5(6), 320-322, 1955.
Committee on Pharmocopaeia of the Am Institute of Homeopathy, The Homeopathic Pharmacopaeia of the United States. 8th ed., Vol 1. Otis Clapp and Son, Agents, Boston, l981.
D'Amico, M.L. Richere sulla presenza di sostanze ad azione antibiotica nelle piante superiori. Fitoterapia, 26(1), 77-79, 1950.
Facts and Comparisons. The Lawrence Review of Natural Products. Jul, 1997.
Felter, H.W. & J.U. Lloyd. King's Am Dispensatory. 18th ed. 1898. reprinted by Eclectic Medical Publications: Portland, Or, 1983.
Fitzpatrick, F.K. Plant substances active against mycobacterium tuberculosis. Antibiotics And Chemotherapy, 4(5), 528-536, 1954.
Goodman, L.S. & A. Gilman. 1975. Pharm Basis of Thera. MacMillan, NY.
Hansten, P.D. 1979. Drug Interactions, 4th ed. Lea & Febiger, Phila.
Hyde, F. British Herbal Pharmacopoeia. Brit Herb Med Assoc: England, 1983
Kastrup, E.K., ed. 1981. Drug Facts and Comparisons, 1982 edition. Facts and Comparisions Division, J.P. Lippincott Co, Phila (St. Louis).
List, P. & L. Hoerhammer. 1969-1976. Hagers Hanbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, vols. 2-5. Springer-Verlag, Berlin.
Martin, E. Drug Interactions Index, 1978/79. J.B. Lippincott Co., Phila.
Martindale. The Extra Pharmacopoeia, The Pharmaceutical Press. London. 1977.
Mockle, J.A. Contributions A L'Etude Des Plante Medicinales Du Cananda. Paris Edition, Jouve, p. 63.
Mowrey, Daniel B., Ph.D. Exper. Psych., Brigham Young University. Director of Nebo Institute of Herbal Sciences. Director of Behavior Change Agent Training Institute. Director of Research, Nova Corp.
Osol, A. & R. Pratt. 1973. The United States Dispensatory. J.B. Lippincott Company, Philadelphia. 4000 pp.
Scientific Committee, British Herbal Pharmocopaeia, British Herbal Med Assoc, Lane House, Cowling, Na Keighley, West Yorks, Bd Bd220lx, l983.
Trease, G.E., W.C. Evans. 1978. Pharmacognosy. Cassell and Collier MacMillan Publisher Ltd. p. 784.
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Hamamelis virginiana
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