This week's herb of the week is witch hazel. A pretty North American shrub, witch hazel was time-honored traditional remedy of native peoples. It is a potent pain reliever and astringent and has antioxidant properties. When taken internally or applied externally, witch hazel is thought to act on the venous system to stop bleeding and inflammation. It is particularly effective for treating intestinal bleeding, bruises, hemorrhoids, varicose veins, dermatitis, sunburn, and diarrhea. It is also indicated for bleeding of the nose and lungs.
Take witch hazel internally as a tincture and use it externally as a liniment or an astringent, disinfectant wash. It also makes a good cleanser for acne prone skin. Decocted as a tea, it can be taken internally as an astringent for diarrhea and intestinal bleeding.
Reference: Rosemary Gladstar's Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health
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