Witch hazel or witch hazel
Also read the use of witch hazel in the homeopathy in our topic:
- Hamamelis virginiana
Synonyms
The witch hazel has the Latin name Hamamelis virginia.
They are also known under the name:
- Witch hazel
- Virginian witch hazel
- Magic hazel
and - Virginian magic shrub
Hamamelis virginiana in homeopathy
Hamamelis virginiana (Witch Hazel) is used in the homeopathy also often at Varicose veins and enlarged Hemorrhoids applied.
We have written a completely separate topic for this: You can find more about this under our topic: Hamamelis virginiana
definition
The medicinal plant Hamamelis belongs to the Hamamelis family.
The Virginian witch hazel is a tree-like shrub that can grow up to 10 meters high. It is found in the deciduous forests of North America. But even here in Europe you can find it in gardens and parks. The pleasant, fragrant flowers are in bright yellow, coral-like clusters on bare branches, after the leaves have been shed in late autumn or winter. The fruits of the medicinal plant Hamamelis form a hazelnut-like, hairy capsule in the next summer, which burst open when ripe and hurls its seeds away for meters.
The bark and leaves are used medicinally. The leaves of the Virginian witch hazel are collected in autumn, the bark of the branches and twigs only in spring.
history
The name Hamamelis comes from the Greek "hama" (simultaneously) and "melon" (fruit), because the shrub first bears fruit within a year and only flowers later. The American Indians in North America have used the witch hazel as a medicinal plant for centuries. They valued the witch hazel because of its medicinal and beauty enhancing properties. But the shrub did not reach Europe until the 18th century, but initially only as an ornamental shrub.
In the 19th century, the alcoholic extract from the witch hazel leaves was then used in medical practice. To this day the witch hazel is used in the Natural cosmetics frequently used.
Summary
the medicinal plant Hamamelis virginiana, also known as witch hazel, is an 8 to 10 meter high shrub that is native to North America. But here in Europe the witch hazel is usually found as an ornamental shrub. The North American Indians had known the witch hazel as a medicinal plant for centuries. The dried leaves, the bark and the witch hazel water obtained by distilling the branches are used medicinally. The flowers and fruits are not used in the manufacture of medicines.
Manufacturing
The parts of the plant used by the Witch hazel like leaves, twigs and bark are processed for the manufacture of medicines. Important pharmacologically active ingredients are tannins, tannins (catechins), proanthocyanidins and essential oils.
The composition of the active ingredients differs depending on the part of the plant. For example, the bark has a higher proportion of tannin and fewer flavonoids and essential oils than the leaves. Witch hazel water is an extraction, or distillation, from leaves and twigs in which alcohol is added.
The Tannins However, it is only found in the witch hazel extracts, not in the distillation process. That is why witch hazel extracts are usually preferred in natural cosmetics. The steam distillate from the branches of the Virginian witch hazel contains only essential oils, no tannins and no tannins. The aqueous-alcoholic witch hazel extract is more effective.
Therapy application effect
The medicinal plant Hamamelis contains pharmacological ingredients essential oils, tannins, tannins and proanthocyanidins.
Medicinal uses of witch hazel in:
- slight skin injuries
- Inflammation of the skin and mucous membranes
- as well as hemorrhoids
- and varicose veins,
has been scientifically proven. The contained tannins (Hamanelitanum and Gallotanin) pull the tissue together, promote blood clotting and inhibit inflammation.
The tannins protect the cells from free radical damage and the proanthocyamidina reduce water loss from the skin. For external use, a steam distillate that does not contain any tannins is usually used.
For minor skin injuries, varicose veins or local inflammation of the skin, compresses and rinses made from decoctions of witch hazel leaves help. Tea made from witch hazel leaves is also used in folk medicine.
In addition, the witch hazel is in the Folk medicine used at:
- diarrhea
- Menstrual cramps
- poorly healing wounds
- for hemorrhoids
- Varicose veins and
- for the treatment of neurodermatitis.
Natural cosmetics use witch hazel in a variety of ways. It is used in a wide variety of cosmetics such as creams for treating inflammation, aftershave, deodorants and toners.
Side effect and interaction
There are no known side effects when using witch hazel or its preparations externally. When taken internally, in the form of teas, can be used by sensitive people Stomach discomfort or possibly damage to the liver occur.
Please always ask your doctor before taking the medicinal plant witch hazel !!!
In addition, sensitive people can have an allergic reaction to external application of witch hazel products.
During pregnancy and breastfeeding, witch hazel preparations should only be used after consulting the attending physician!
Administration and dosage
Ready-made preparations with witch hazel water and liquid extracts from the leaves or bark of the medicinal plant mutton, such as ointments and tinctures for external use, are used. There are also decoctions of tea made from bark and leaves.
Recommended daily dose:
- Gargle or rinse solution: 2 to 10 g of bark or 2 to 4 ml of beef tincture three times a day.
- Tea: 2 to 3 g of bark or witch hazel leaves
Tea preparations
1 teaspoon of bark or 2-4 teaspoons of leaves are poured over with 150 ml of boiling water. The tea needs to steep for 10 to 15 minutes. You can drink the tea several times a day or use it for rinsing or gargling.
Envelopes
Two to four teaspoons of witch hazel bark or 3-6 tablespoons of witch hazel leaves are boiled with 250 ml of water. The brew is left to steep for 15 minutes. Later it is strained and used chilled. The steam distillate of witch hazel can be diluted in a ratio of 1: 3 with boiled water and used several times a day for compresses.
Manufacturer
- Repha GmbH (Rephastasan ointment)
- Dr. Gustav Klein (Venacton)
- Ointment and suppository
Phytopharmaceuticals in Germany
The list of the best-selling herbal preparations led by far the ginkgo:
- ginkgo
- Johannis herbs
- Devil's claw
- Horse chestnuts
- artichoke
- Milk thistle
- Nettle
- Umckaloabo
- Hawthorn
- ivy
A list of all medicinal herbs / medicinal plants that we have already published can be found under: Medicines A-Z.
Disclaimer / Exclusion of Liability
Please note that we do not claim to be complete or correct in any of our texts. The information may be out of date due to current developments.
All details are only excerpts, therefore important information cannot be given.
We expressly point out that all medications may never be discontinued, applied or changed independently and without consultation with your treating doctor.
