If you don’t already know, the plants surrounding us have lots of medicinal properties! More than just passed down by word of mouth, a quick search on PubMed pulled up 127 studies where witch hazel was used for health benefits!
I want you to fall in love with the simplicity of using pure flower and plant extracts in your day to day life. While they aren’t fully without complication and safety* does need to be studied before using plants for health, I have found they offer simple solutions to health and just every day needs!
*not a doctor, just a Momma, making her best guess with life. While I can’t recommend treatment or diagnose your problems, you can be your own health advocate! Take my suggestions and maybe they fit into you life as well.
Uses for Witch Hazel
•Allergies
•Skin Toner
•Essential oil sprays
•After Shaving
•Skin Care
•Clean Jewelry
So when I’m getting used to using a new plant, I like to have quick uses in mind for it. For witch hazel, “Puffiness, skin, sprays”. Now, anytime I’m in need of something in those areas, witch hazel will quickly come up!
When allergies make your eyes puffy or itchy, you would maybe think to reach for an antihistamine. Witch hazel contains tannins that make it naturally an anti-inflammatory. Soak a cotton round with witch hazel and lay it over your (closed!) eyes. Leave it on for a bit before removing.
You need to use a toner after cleansing and before moisturizing your skin. In between, this balances the pH making it not too oily or not too dry. Grab a cotton round and soak it before wiping gently across your face. Just once at night should be fine!
Adding witch hazel to a spray bottle of water and essential oils (for a room spray, fabric refresher, or even after sun spray!), helps the water and oils combine + the aroma linger longer in the air. My favorite spray right now is 8 oz water, one oz of witch hazel, and then 10 drops Lavender Essential Oil to spray on my skin after being slightly burned in the sun.
Those little red bumps and ingrown hairs after shaving don’t have to happen. Use witch hazel (sprayed or cotton round and rubbed gently) on skin after you shave. Once again, it’s the anti inflammatory properties of the witch hazel plant that help your skin from not getting so angry.
Skin Care- in general, we reach for witch hazel straight or add it to a current routine. Boo boos don’t get washed with hydrogen peroxide but instead witch hazel. Always finding new ways to use it!
Cleaning jewelry with witch hazel isn’t something I’ve personally tried, but I hear it lifts dirt off great! This makes me think it would also be great to add with baking soda and lemon essential oil in a scrub for the bathroom as well. But for the jewelry, equal parts witch hazel and vinegar in a mason jar with a drop of tea tree essential oil. Let it sit overnight, scrub with a soft brush and baking soda the next day before rinsing in cold water.
How will you use witch hazel?