Witch Hazel

The real witch hazel
Benefit from witch hazel’s healing tannins by brewing your own infusion or using liquid extract from a health-food shop:

• Make a skin spray Mix it with rosewater and geranium as a soothing spray or lotion for skin conditions.
• Bruise balm Apply tincture to bruise and sprains.
• Haemorrhoid relief Pour some strong witch hazel infusion or liquid extract onto a cotton wool ball and apply it to the tender area. The tannin shrinks blood vessels and the liquid provides a soothing, cooling sensation as it evaporates. Witch hazel is an ingredient in Preparation H and several other over-the-counter haemorrhoid treatments.
• Soothe itchy rashes Keep a mixture of witch hazel and camomile infusions in the fridge to spray on itchy rashes, eczema, dermatitis, chickenpox or measles.
• Freshen Breath Use a week infusion as a mouthwash. Witch hazel extracts have been shown to inhibit oral bacteria and may be useful for treating periodontal disease. Swish It round and spit it out – don’t swallow.
• Soothe raw rashes The herb’s anti-inflammatory, hydrating and antibacterial effects make it useful for treating intertrigo (an inflammatory condition that can occur in damp skin folds) and some forms of dermatitis. Apply the infusion to the affected area using a fine mist plant sprayer or on a soft cloth or cotton wool pad.
• An after-sun balm Its anti-inflammatory properties make witch hazel a good after-sun soother. Because one of its constituents, hamamelitannin, is thought to protect against UV irradiation, witch hazel is used as an ingredient in some after-sun lotions.