Daily OTC Pearl: Witch Hazel

OTC/Lifestyle Pearl of the Day: Witch Hazel

Indication: Witch hazel has been used to relieve swelling, bleeding, itching, minor pain, and discomfort caused by minor skin irritations.

Insight:

• Witch hazel is a plant. The leaf, bark, and twigs are used to make medicine.
• Witch hazel is taken by mouth for diarrhea, mucus colitis, vomiting blood, coughing up blood, tuberculosis, colds, fevers, tumors, and cancer.
• Some people apply witch hazel directly to the skin for itching, pain and swelling (inflammation), eye inflammation, skin injury, mucous membrane inflammation, vaginal dryness after menopause, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, bruises, insect bites, minor burns, acne, sensitive scalp, and other skin irritations.
• In manufacturing, witch hazel leaf extract, bark extract, and witch hazel water are used as astringents to tighten the skin. They are also included in some medications to give the ability to slow down or stop bleeding. These medications are used for treating insect bites, stings, teething, hemorrhoids, itching, irritations, and minor pain.
• Application: Apply the witch hazel toner to a cotton ball or round, then dab the product across your clean, dry skin.

Sources:

• WITCH HAZEL: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews (webmd.com)
• witch hazel directions to use - Google Search
• witch hazel image - Google Search