Today we are going to talk about a plant to which magical properties are attributed for being healing and very effective. Its about hamamelis virginiana. It is a shrub with a woody, monoecious character, which is capable of reaching between 2 and 7 meters in height. Its fluffy gray bark is quite curious. It belongs to the Hamamelidaceae family and comes from North America. It is a very famous plant for its healing properties, so we are going to dedicate this entire article to it.
If you want to know everything about witch hazel virginiana, this is your post.
Key features
This woody shrub has a branched and curved stem. Its leaves are arranged alternately and pinnate. They are compound and with oval leaflets. The flowers have four bright yellow petals. As for the fruits, they are very similar to capsules surrounded at the base by the calyx. Due to its great resemblance to hazel and its healing properties, it was popularly called by the natives of North America as witch hazel.
The fact that this plant is attributed to the magic used by witches is because its healing effects were such that they seemed magical effects. Many of the tribes rubbed it to heal wounds, bumps, insect bites, joints, muscles and the back. It seemed to take effect out of nowhere, which is why these magical properties were attributed to it.
These properties They are due to the fact that the leaves contain a high proportion of tannins. The extract used for healing is obtained from the leaves, mainly and sometimes from the bark. Hamamelis virginiana it also contains gallic and caffeic acid, as well as some flavonic heretosides with myricetin, quercetin, and kampferol. All these are active principles that are used for the treatment of different ailments, diseases and pathologies. They are also rich in essential oils.
As can be seen, it is a plant with many interesting properties that cannot go unnoticed in populations.
What is the Hamamelis virginiana
After knowing its main characteristics and its high content of active principles, we are going to analyze what it is used for.
- Itch
- Bruises
- Hemorrhoids
- Body odor
- Oily skin
- Skin irritated by shaving
- Urticaria
You could say that this list summarizes the main uses for which the hamamelis virginiana. The most important main active ingredient is tannins. It is a chemical compound that has astringent properties. Helps tighten pores just like any modern skin toner. Tannins also serve to constrict blood vessels and reduce bleeding when there is a blow or injury. This is perfect for when there are cuts with a razor, razor blade or some other minor injuries that tend to occur frequently in the field.
Thanks to this tannin content, the Hamamelis virginiana It was used to combat diarrhea at times. However, the distilled preparation that is used as witch hazel in pharmacies is a different remedy than what we are talking about. At the end of the XNUMXth century, manufacturers abandoned the traditional method of macerating the leaves for a process of steam distillation. In this way, its use changes completely.
This steam technique is more efficient, but the high temperatures of the evaporation process remove virtually all of the tannins in the modern witch hazel they sell in pharmacies. The action of this cure is slightly astringent and is due to its alcohol content.
Although this new preparation is more efficient, you can still buy witch hazel herbal preparations. These preparations include a liquid extract, dried leaves (used for an infusion), or tincture. It is also an active ingredient in many skin care preparations.
Refreshing astringent
Although witch hazel is very easily available in pharmacies, it does not have much in common with what the traditional natural remedy had. It has an alcohol content almost the same as table wine. This makes it an effective and safe astringent that is used to:
- Relieves razor cuts. For people who shave with a razor, a cut is more likely than using modern blades. To treat the cut, the ideal is to apply a little witch hazel to disinfect it. This water should not be used to treat larger wounds, as alcohol can cause skin damage.
- Leaves skin fresher. Other interesting properties is that of leaving the skin fresh. To achieve this effect, simply soak a cotton pad in witch hazel and clean your face. This helps to remove oil, tighten pores, and tone the skin.
- It removes the burning of the bites. Who has not ever been bitten by an insect and it has become a burning and annoying bite. With the Hamamelis virginiana You can use its astringent properties to promote the healing of insect bites, skin inflammation or sunburns.
- Make a skin spray. This is done by mixing rose water and geraniums as if it were a lotion. You will see that it has calming effects on the skin.
- Balm for bruises. When there is any bruise or sprain, the tincture can be applied to eliminate the pain.
- Hemorrhoid relief. It is very useful since the tannins are vasoconstrictors and the liquid produces a quite refreshing and calming sensation when it evaporates.
- Freshens breath. For this you have to make a mild infusion as a mouthwash. Witch hazel extracts are capable of inhibiting the proliferation of bacteria in the mouth that cause bad breath. It is important to rinse and spit without swallowing the infusion.
- Balm for after sunbathing. It is interesting since it has good anti-inflammatory properties. These properties help soothe the skin after receiving the sun's ultraviolet rays.
I hope that with these properties you can take advantage of the effects of the hamamelis virginiana.