What Is Witch Hazel Used For And When Should You Not Use It?

Witch hazel is a water-based solution made with witch hazel extracts and often with added isopropyl alcohol. Witch hazel is used for a variety of skin conditions, but you shouldn't use it if you have burning, stinging, flushing, and other symptoms.

What is witch hazel? Two things! It's a plant, but it can also refer to products made from that plant, most commonly a water-based solution made with witch hazel extracts and often with added isopropyl alcohol.

Witch hazel is a small tree or shrub that’s part of the Hamamelidaceae family. Hamamelis comes from the Greek word hama. This means “at the same time”, because the fruits and flowers can appear at the same time, which is rare for plants.

There are five species of witch hazel. They’re native to eastern North America and Asia. But the one that’s most used in folk medicines is American witch hazel (Hamamelis virginica var. macrophylla).

The forked stems of the witch hazel plant have long been used as divining rods to locate underground water sources. The stem is said to bend down towards the ground when you approach a water source. This practice is known as “water witching”.

Today, you can easily find witch hazel products over the counter at your local drugstore. A range of different cosmetics and skincare products, such as soaps and toners, contain witch hazel. Witch hazel can also be found in aftershaves and after-sun lotions.

For centuries, Native Americans have used witch hazel infusions of leaves, twigs, or bark to treat health conditions such as:

• Fever
• Sore throat
• Skin sores
• Sore eyes
• Tuberculosis
• Insect bites
• Bruises and cuts
• Sore muscles 

But there’s limited scientific research to support the use of witch hazel for these health conditions. 

Anti-inflammatory effects

Inflammation is your immune system’s natural response to infection or injury. There are two types of inflammation, acute and chronic. Acute inflammation is, for example, when you hurt your finger, and your white blood cells are sent to protect the area. This results in swelling, pain, and redness.

Chronic inflammation is when inflammation continues for a long time. Your immune system keeps sending out white blood cells and they attach to1 healthy organs and tissues. Chronic inflammation is linked to the development of certain diseases like:

• Arthritis
• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Bowel disease
• Heart disease 

Witch hazel contains plant compounds like tannins and gallic acid that have anti-inflammatory properties. Research on the anti-inflammatory effects of witch hazel is limited, but one study on 40 people found that a lotion with 10% distilled witch hazel had anti-inflammatory effects on skin that had reddened after exposure to ultraviolet light  (erythema).

Reduces skin irritation

It’s estimated that nearly 45% of Americans have sensitive or very sensitive skin. This is defined as having abnormal sensory symptoms.

Researchers studied 309 children and infants under the age of 12 who had diaper dermatitis, minor skin injuries, or skin inflammation. They found the treatment of witch hazel (hamamelis) ointment was as safe and effective as dexpanthenol ointment in improving these skin problems.

A small study found that a gel containing witch hazel provided relief for irritated facial skin. Participants said that the treatment was not stinging or irritating and had no adverse side effects.

A study of 72 people with moderately severe atopic eczema found that witch hazel cream helped reduce scaling, itching, and erythema after 1 week. But low-dose (0.5%) hydrocortisone cream was better at treating eczema than the witch hazel cream. Also, the witch hazel cream was no more effective than the placebo.

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved witch hazel as a "generally recognized as safe and effective" ingredient of products meant for relief of skin irritations caused by insect bites or minor scrapes and cuts. 

Relieves hemorrhoid symptoms

Hemorrhoids are swollen and enlarged veins that form inside and outside your anus and rectum. When enlarged, these veins can itch, bleed, and be painful. 

Witch hazel is a popular home treatment for hemorrhoids. There are anti-inflammatory creams and pastes that contain witch hazel and aloe vera that aim to relieve itching and irritation of the skin.

The US Food and Drug Administration has classified witch hazel as a safe and effective astringent active ingredient of hemorrhoid products that help relieve burning and itching.

Some people also add anti-inflammatory herbs such as witch hazel or chamomile to bath water. But there’s not enough research to know if this is effective for relieving hemorrhoid pain.

May help with scalp irritation

Scalp sensitivity is a burning, tingling, or prickling feeling on your scalp. It may be due to:

• Pollution
• Shampoo
• Heat 
• Emotions

In a study of 1,373 people, witch hazel-based shampoo helped to improve scalp irritation linked to red scalp (persistent redness of the scalp). More studies are needed.

May help with acne

Witch hazel is a common ingredient in skincare products for oily skin, such as moisturizers. Some research shows that witch hazel acts as an astringent. It’s high in tannins which cause pores to tighten and shrink.

May protect against skin damage

Witch hazel leaves are about 3% to 10% tannins like catechins and gallotannins. The bark has about 8% to 12% tannins.

Early studies have found that these tannins in witch hazel may be able to neutralize free radicals. Researchers also found that witch hazel tannins may help prevent the spread of skin cancer cells.

Free radicals are unstable molecules. They have an unpaired electron, which means they’re looking to take electrons from other molecules. This often results in damage to those molecules. Free radicals are created during natural body processes in your cells. It’s also your body’s response to exposure to pollution.

In a study of 48 people, researchers brought on skin inflammation with ultraviolet irradiation. They found that the low dose witch hazel cream significantly reduced the reddening of the skin (erythema) and was more effective than chamomile cream. But it was less effective than 1% hydrocortisone.

If you’re pregnant or nursing, check with your doctor before using witch hazel. The risk of witch hazel to pregnancy and breastmilk is still unknown.

Experts say that people with rosacea may want to avoid products that contain witch hazel. Rosacea is a common skin condition that mainly affects the face. Symptoms include:

• Burning or stinging feeling
• Flushing or redness of the face
• Small blood vessels becoming visible
• Spots

If your skin is injured, irritated, or dry, you may want to avoid witch hazel as well as other astringents.