Halloween is over but the time for WITCH HAZEL isn't!

Don't worry about it's name, Witch Hazel astringent is a great addition to your morning and evening beauty regime. The name Witch in witch-hazel has its origins in Middle English wiche, from the Old English wice, meaning "pliant" or "bendable". Let's not worry about that because it really is irrelevant to the astringent's properties.

Witch hazel is a shrub  high in tannins, giving it astringent properties. Astringents are substances that can dry, tighten, and harden tissues. Because of this witch hazel is particularly effective for skin issues. To temporarily tighten pores and soothe aching caircose veings or reduce inflammation. Witch hazel has procyanadins, resin, and flavanoids which reduce swelling and can relieve the pain of hemorrhoids and bruises.  For acne, the astringent removes excess oil, minimizes pores, and again it's anti-inflammatory properties sooth skin's redness and irritations. 

A cotton swab dipped in a witch hazel, goldenseal, and calendula tea and applied to the outer ear is useful in treating swimmer's ear. Swimmer's ear is associated typically with pus and moisture in the outer ear canal. Witch hazel helps dry up the secretions, while goldenseal and calendula fight infection.

Like a styptic pencil, Witch hazel is an important botanical for controlling bleeding: It can reduce bleeding when applied topically to a wound or used internally for bleeding ulcers or bleeding gums. 

Witch Hazel Precautions and Warnings

None for the herb itself; do not use commercial witch hazel preparations internally if they contain isopropyl alcohol, which is a poison.
Side Effects of Witch Hazel

The tannins in witch hazel can produce nausea if you take it too frequently or take too large a dose at once. When taken in the proper amounts, witch hazel can help dry out oily skin--do not use on skin more than 3 times daily!