Varicose veins are dilated veins in the legs that can cause significant discomfort. Some people also find their appearance bothersome. Swimmer’s ear is a bacterial infection that usually develops when ears are wet from swimming. The antibacterial activity of witch hazel naturally inhibits the growth of the infection and dries up excess oil and ear wax. This is believed to help reduce swelling, decrease pain and dry excess mucus caused by a sore throat.

For many uses, the alcohol may burn, and witch hazel water products are a better choice. You can also find witch hazel in soaps, salves, gels, lotions, creams, and ointments. The compounds in witch hazel protect the skin from damage caused by sun exposure, including skin cancer, melanoma, wrinkles, and fine lines. It prevents the multiplication of tumor cells and protects healthy skin cells. It also tightens the skin and helps reduces scars and inflammation. Anti-Cancer Properties for Me However, additional research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of witch hazel in the treatment of these conditions. Summary The heart of this story is a simplistic, community-oriented life, filled with little adages for everyday life and living. People of all ages will find this book charming and heart-warming.” — Yakima Herald Little Witch Hazel lives in Mosswood Forest in a home at the base of a tree trunk. Her distinctive personality is fleshed out vividly throughout this thoroughly satisfying set of four stories, one for each season. Stoic, diligent, and giving, Hazel nurtures an orphaned owl egg in spring; is convinced by friends to take a day off in summer; helps a lonely troll in autumn; and is saved from a storm in winter by Otis, the owl she once mothered. The detailed, evocative worldbuilding will have readers lingering. They’ll meet a friendly and funny (especially the chipmunk with the toothache) community of anthropomorphic creatures, such as Wendell the sailing frog and Mousepappa (who wears the apron and takes care of the babies). Many creatures are fantastical (dryads, goblins). Refreshingly, nothing is sanitized: Little Witch Hazel is not gaunt and whimsical; she’s curvaceous, sturdy, and strong. She even has hairy legs; she has more important things to do than shave, such as serve as midwife to Mrs. Rabbit. The writing is lush and lyrical (“milky clouds…hung low”), and the textured, earth-toned illustrations expertly capture Hazel’s world, both cozy (her tiny home) and gloriously wild (the forest she tends to). Hazel is White; the “beasts of all shapes and sizes” readers meet include fantastical creatures of color and one who uses a wheelchair. (This book was reviewed digitally.)Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Witch hazel helps tighten varicose veins and relieves pain. Prop your feet up and wrap your legs with washcloths soaked with witch hazel. Witch Hazel Benefits for My Poison Ivy and Poison Oak Anyone desiring to use witch hazel orally should seek solutions that do not contain isopropyl alcohol and are not labeled “For External Use Only”. Summary Reuter J, Wölfle U, Korting HC, Schempp C. Which plant for which skin disease? Part 2: Dermatophytes, chronic venous insufficiency, photoprotection, actinic keratoses, vitiligo, hair loss, cosmetic indications. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2010;8(11):866-73. doi:10.1111/j.1610-0387.2010.07472.x. Witch hazel reduces inflammation and itching and helps dry up the rash caused by poison ivy and poison oak. Apply witch hazel three times daily to the affected area with a cotton ball. Work from the outside of the rash inward, being careful not to spread the inflammation to new areas. Witch Hazel Benefits for My Sunburn

Typical preparations include alcohol, so read the label and make sure you are getting the type you want. You will usually find alcohol preparations labeled as witch hazel and non-alcohol preparations labeled as witch hazel water. What is the Best Witch Hazel? It’s also sometimes used as a natural remedy to relieve symptoms of other scalp problems, such as dandruff and dryness. High-quality studies are needed to ascertain the potential benefits of witch hazel on sore throats. In addition, taking witch hazel orally may cause stomach irritation due to its high tannin content, so it’s important to proceed with caution and consult your doctor if you have any concerns. Witch hazel soothes skin irritated by shaving and closes the pores. By using witch hazel immediately after shaving, you can prevent those little red bumps you sometimes get after shaving. Apply witch hazel generously anywhere on the body where shaving irritation occurs. Reduce Eye Puffiness and Under-Eye BagsDoing an initial skin patch test on a small portion of your skin can help prevent unwanted side effects and skin reactions. Witch hazel shrinks the inflammation and helps heal sore gums and mouth sores. Swish witch hazel around the mouth after brushing and spit it out. Soothe a Sore Throat and Laryngitis Dawid–Pać, R. (2013, June 20). Medicinal plants used in treatment of inflammatory skin diseases. Advances in Dermatology and Allergology, 30(3), 170–177 Food and Drug Administration. CFR - Code of Federal Regulations Title 21. Volume 5. Skin protection drug products for over-the-counter human use. Witch hazel cleans the skin of dirt and excess oils that tend to clog pores and cause acne. Like hydrogen peroxide, witch hazel with astringent properties dries the skin, and its disinfectant properties kill microbes that cause infection. It shrinks the pores and reduces skin inflammation.