National Center for Biotechnology Information. Tannic acid. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 16129778. Native Americans also utilized Hamamelis to treat skin irritation, inflammation, eye and liver conditions, fevers, and burns. It was applied to the skin as an astringent or a poultice, and even consumed in liquid form as a tea. This red-flowered witch hazel has a long flowering period and is pleasantly, if faintly, scented. It has a spreading form and grows slowly over 20 years or so to become 3m tall. The flowers are a deep purplish-red, while the large, matt green leaves turn shades of red, orange and yellow in autumn. It has been given the RHS Award of Garden Merit. Repeat the application once or twice a day until the condition improves. Do not use witch hazel for more than two weeks without consulting your veterinarian.

Trüeb RM. North American Virginian Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana): Based Scalp Care and Protection for Sensitive Scalp, Red Scalp, and Scalp Burn-Out. Int J Trichology. 2014;6(3):100-103. doi:10.4103/0974-7753.139079 Since there are only five species within the Hamamelis genus – all of them worth planting, especially if they’re native to your local area – the completionist in me thought it best to cover them all here.Ointments and extracts can be applied directly to your skin several times per day and safely administered for the treatment of hemorrhoids after each bowel movement. So, to be sure that dry brown foliage never obscures the flowers, look for 'Arnold Promise', 'Orange Beauty', 'Pallida', and 'Wisley Supreme'. Most witch hazels originate in China or Japan – are there any that are native to the US? Care for witch hazel requires minimal time apart from regular water the first season and pruning only to shape as desired.

To make this a neat Y-shape, neatly position two canes either side behind the branches to form the two arms of the Y. Now tie in a branch to each cane. Cut out the other stems, including the central stem, to make theY-shape. Normally, witch hazel extract is created by putting the bark and leaves of the plant through a steam distillation process to break down the plant matter and draw out the active chemical compounds. Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Aphrodite’ – with orange-red, sweetly-scented flowers and red autumn leaf colourWhile it is technically possible to propagate witch hazel from seed, by taking cuttings, or via grafting… I wouldn’t recommend it to the average home gardener. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Knowing at least a little bit about a ton of awesome plants comes with a notable disadvantage: paralysis by analysis. Witch hazel’s natural soothing and antibacterial properties may help to support the skin’s wound healing process. However, it is important to keep in mind that drying out a wound can slow down healing. There are better alternatives to witch hazel when talking about wound healing. As pet owners, we are always on the lookout for safe and effective remedies to alleviate our furry companions’ discomfort and minor health issues. One such household staple that has garnered attention for its therapeutic properties is witch hazel.