Witch hazel is often distilled with alcohol in commercial beauty products. Make sure you're purchasing 100% pure, USDA-certified organic witch hazel—preferably sourced locally and responsibly. Categorized as a Class 1 substance (i.e., the safest to consume) in the American Herbal Products Association's " Botanical Safety Handbook," it is considered fine for most people to apply directly onto skin. 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 Combine witch hazel with essential oils to create a fragrance that will not only smell great but improve your mood as well. To use witch hazel as a fragrance, you simply need to combine it with your favorite essential oil (in this example, I’ll be using lavender).

Use witch hazel to clean scrapes and then continue to apply it until the cut has healed. Witch hazel soothes the skin, prevents infection, and encourages healing. Soothe and Clear Diaper Rash Use witch hazel undiluted on glass, mirrors, stainless steel, and chrome. It leaves surfaces germ-free and streak-free. Therefore, it’s best to only use small amounts orally and to discuss any side effects or concerns with your doctor.Witch hazel works to relieve hives and allergic reactions by suppressing the inflammatory response and soothing the skin. It also shrinks the blood vessels on the skin, calming the histamine response. Witch Hazel for Hives and Allergic Rashes 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? Perfect for use after any hair removal treatment, Sterex witch hazel gel is a perfect addition to your professional beauty salon. Containing natural witch hazel gel, that contains 80% liquid extract of witch hazel. Boots Witch Hazel Gel is a soothing gel that helps keep the skin clear and helps prevent spots and pimples. However, additional research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of witch hazel in the treatment of these conditions. Summary

Dr. Ihor Basko, a holistic veterinarian based in Honolulu, Hawaii, often combines witch hazel with aloe vera juice (using a one-to-one ratio) as a simple home remedy for itchy skin. Risks of Witch Hazel for Dogs Covington TR, et al. Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs. 11th ed. Washington, DC: American Pharmaceutical Association, 1996.

UK mainland only. Surcharges apply to the following locations The Channel Islands & Isles of Scilly Bernard, P., Balansard, P., Balansard, G., and Bovis, A. [Venitonic pharmacodynamic value of galenic preparations with a base of hamamelis leaves]. J.Pharm.Belg. 1972;27(4):505-512. View abstract.

Similarly, another animal study discovered that the tannins in witch hazel were able to slow skin tumor growth in mice exposed to radiation ( 14).Still, studies on the effects of witch hazel on acne are limited and further research is needed to determine its efficacy. Summary

Hemorrhoids are caused by the swelling and inflammation of the veins in your rectum and anus, resulting in symptoms, such as itchiness and bleeding. The diluted witch hazel reduces oil production and distributes excess oil. It will leave your hair fresher looking for the day. Use Witch Hazel for DandruffKorting, H. C., Schafer-Korting, M., Klovekorn, W., Klovekorn, G., Martin, C., and Laux, P. Comparative efficacy of hamamelis distillate and hydrocortisone cream in atopic eczema. Eur.J.Clin.Pharmacol. 1995;48(6):461-465. View abstract. To make witch hazel pads, you can soak cotton pads in witch hazel and apply to the affected area. It is best to use a witch hazel solution that does not contain alcohol, to avoid stinging, especially if there are breaks in the skin. Is Witch Hazel Antibacterial?