Uses for Witch Hazel

16 Awesome Uses for Witch Hazel

Witch hazel is a topical astringent that comes from a North American shrub. Native Americans recognized the medicinal properties of witch hazel for skin irritations and tumors. Today, most people use witch hazel as an herbal remedy for a cleanser and toner, cleaning the skin and shrinking pores.

There are many benefits of witch hazel and several ways to use it throughout your regular life. These 16 uses are practical, things that you can use often. Do you use witch hazel?

16 Uses for Witch Hazel

• A Natural Astringent

Originally, witch hazel was known as a natural astringent. The high levels of tannins in witch hazel give it the ability to remove the extra oil from your skin and shrink the pores. It’s great for those who are exposed to environmental pollutants, reducing the severity of blemishes. Using witch hazel can also help to prevent future blemishes, in particular, blackheads which are caused by the build-up on pollutants in pores.

• Shrink Swollen Veins

Varicose veins are a unsightly problem that you might experience. Lay a cloth soaked in witch hazel and lay it over the varicose veins to reduce swelling and pain. Elevating the area will decrease blood pressure in swollen veins.

• Fade Bruises and Blemishes

You can use witch hazel to treat blemishes on our face or other areas of your body. Just apply some witch hazel on a cotton ball or cosmetic pad to reduce irritation or acne present on your skin. If you have a bruise, apply some witch hazel to fade the discoloration and speed up the healing process.

• Brighten Around Eyes

If you want to brighten and tighten the area around your areas, applying some witch hazel to the area can tighten the skin and reduce inflammation. It’s a natural remedy to treat the discoloration and puffiness under your areas. You can say goodbye to bags under your eyes. Just make sure you don’t get any in your eyes because that sure doesn’t feel good!

Witch hazel is a topical astringent that comes from a North American shrub. Native Americans recognized the medicinal properties of witch hazel for skin irritations and tumors. Today, most people use witch hazel as an herbal remedy for a cleanser and toner, cleaning the skin and shrinking pores.

There are many benefits of witch hazel and several ways to use it throughout your regular life. These 16 uses are practical, things that you can use often. Do you use witch hazel?

• Reduce a Sore Throat

The astringent properties of witch hazel can help soothe a sore throat. You can make an herbal tea using witch hazel, but avoid using store-bought kinds because they contain isopropyl alcohol. Witch hazel herbal tea can ease the discomfort, but gargling it can also help with other problems. It will reduce swelling, dry up extra mucus, and stop the pain caused by laryngitis, sinusitis, tonsillitis, and other throat problems.

• Hemorrhoid Relief

No one likes hemorrhoids; they aren’t the most pleasant experience. Using witch hazel can help to reduce pain, itching, swelling, and bleeding. In fact, witch hazel is traditionally used in commercial hemorrhoid creams.

• Stop Bleeding

Using witch hazel helps to tighten skin and promote faster healing. You can apply some to minor cuts and scrapes to stop bleeding. Witch hazel disinfects and helps to cleanse wounds before bandaging.

• After Hair Removal

You can apply witch hazel after shaving any part of the body. It stops nicks and cuts from bleeding, but the anti-inflammatory properties of the witch hazel also help to prevent razor burn. These properties help to prevent the bumps from forming around your hair follicles and they’ll help to heal any existing razor burn that you already have.

• Treat Damaged Gums

A witch hazel mouth rinse helps to reduce pain and swelling if you have any irritated or infected gums. If your gums or mouth are bleeding, a witch hazel rinse helps to stop the bleeding. You should also use it oral surgery or when wisdom teeth emerge.

• Soothe Diaper Rash

A diaper rash can make a baby miserable. Witch hazel has anti-inflammatory properties that made it a safe, yet effective, way to treat a diaper rash. Applying it regularly to damaged skin will help to make your baby feel better quickly.

• Cure Swimmer’s Ear

Also called Otitus externa, swimmer’s ear is a microbial infection of the ear canal. Use a dropper to place a few drops of witch hazel in your ear to dry up pus and clear away excess oil. Witch hazel breaks up wax and debris that clog ear canals. Swab the ear with a cotton swab or cosmetic pad.

• Relieved Bug Bites and Stings

Bug bites and stings hurt, and they can cause considerable pain and discomfort. Carry this with you anytime you go outside. Apply some directly to your skin on the bite to stop the pain and itching immediately.

• Cool Sunburn

Mixing witch hazel with some Aloe Vera gel helps to treat sunburn. Both of these have anti-inflammatory properties that will aid in the healing of your skin. Aloe helps to cool the burn, and the prevent helps to stop the skin from peeling after a bad sunburn.

• Stop Contact Dermatitis

Witch hazel can help contact dermatitis because of its drying and anti-itch properties. It can help to counteract the effects of skin-irritating plant compounds. You can use it on poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac.

• Treat Chicken Pox Blisters

Chickenpox blisters are uncomfortable, and there is little you can do to stop the discomfort. Along with Aloe vera gel, use ½ cup of witch hazel to treat the affected areas. It’s even stronger than traditional calamine lotion.

• Diminish Dandruff

No one likes flakes of skin falling from your scalp, even though it happens to the best of us. Instead of having snow on your shoulders, use witch hazel as an anti-dandruff treatment. It works almost as great as an anti-fungal medications.