An Analysis on the Magical Witch Hazel Benefits for Skin

Witch hazel has ornamental, medicinal value and cosmetic effects, among which the cosmetic effects make it popular in the beauty industry. In following paragraphs, we will look at the witch hazel more in depth and a little story will be shared to tell how people in North America found witch hazel a cure for wounds by accident. Let us begin the analysis on the witch hazel benefits for skin.

What is witch hazel?

Witch hazel is a deciduous shrub that may grow to a height of 8 meters. It has stellate tomentum on its shoots, and its old branches are barren and clean. The buds of it are oval-shaped, with delicate leaves. When it’s around February, the leaves will spread out first, followed by clusters of flowers in the axils of the leaves. The blossoms are golden in color, with petals that look like wisps, which is very eye-pleasing. Because it blooms in the cold winter months, witch hazel gets a name as “winter-enduring flower” in China.

However, in the cosmetic field, witch hazel from North America is more well-known and acknowledged. North American witch hazel, native to eastern North America, is vertically distributed in the icy mountains at altitudes ranging from 600 to 1600 meters.   It can grow in the open ground at a temperature of minus 15°C. It is pure natural and pollution-free thanks to the year-round nutrition of iceberg snow water.

The wood of witch hazel is light reddish-brown with near-white sapwood and is heavy and strong, with a density of 0.68. Extracts of its branches, leaves, and bark are used medicinally to treat acne, bruises, and swellings. Native Americans used to pick the bark and leaves of witch hazel to heal skin lesions. This is why North American Witch Hazel is known as "nature's skincare fairy".

Witch hazel extract contains a high concentration of tannins, gallic acid, catechins, proanthocyanidins, essential oils (carvacrol, eugenol, hexenol), choline, and saponins. The tannins and gallic acid are natural antioxidants. Plus, the hydrosol produced from North American witch hazel is an excellent antioxidant and astringent that is highly effective in the treatment of acne.

A story about North American witch hazel

At the time, the vast majority of Native Americans were Indians, with the remainder being Eskimos, who lived mainly in northern North America. The Indians made a living by hunting and trapping animals. According to legend, once upon a time, a group of people went hunting, and one of them was hurt who happened to be leaning against a witch hazel tree. He took some witch hazel, chewed it, and spit the crumbs on the wound. The magical thing is, the wound unexpectedly healed within a few days. And the recovery time was considerably shorter than with other plant treatments. This is how the miracle witch hazel benefits for skin was found for the first time.

So, it was told to others and word spread. Witch hazel's virtues are becoming more widely recognized among trappers. As a result, it has been passed down from generation to generation. If their skin is red, inflamed, or itching, the locals will simply clip some leaves from witch hazel and apply them to the affected place. It not only astringed the wound, but also soothed the skin. Later, individuals began to utilize witch hazel for beauty purposes. Therefore, we can tell that there is a long history of using witch hazel in skin treatment.

What are witch hazel benefits for skin?

North American witch hazel extract's powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capabilities have been found in studies to decrease skin damage and redness caused by light radiation. Scientists at Japan's Shiga Center Laboratory, for example, tested 65 plant extracts with anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties. Only two of these extracts, one of which was witch hazel, demonstrated positive deoxidizing and cell damage prevention abilities. Therefore, it is regarded as the nemesis of puffy eyes and dark circles. It can also sooth irritated skin without causing dryness.

According to research, applying witch hazel to sensitive skin can help cure allergies and cracked skin as well. In a study of 40 participants, a lotion containing 10% witch hazel extract was found to be beneficial in lowering skin inflammation and alleviating erythema. Witch hazel is suitable for oily and allergic skin due to its calming effects.

By the way, witch hazel is frequently used as an all-natural remedy to ease the discomfort and pain caused by hemorrhoids. It is applied directly to the affected area with a cloth or cotton ball. Because it is anti-inflammatory, witch hazel is thought to help alleviate the itching, discomfort, and swelling caused by hemorrhoids. Besides, it plays hemostatic role that helps control hemorrhoidal bleeding.

Conclusion

To sum up, the magical witch hazel benefits for skin are mainly given by tannins and gallic acid. Its application derived from an ancient time in North America, which makes North American witch hazel well-accepted in cosmetics. Witch hazel is an astringent and its anti-inflammatory and antiviral qualities treat acne and scalp irritation magically.