Witch Hazel is extracted from the leaves, flowers and bark of the hamamelis tree, a small deciduous shrub. Witch Hazel contains a mixture of 86% aqueous witch hazel extract and 14% standard alcohol as a preservative. While we include Witch Hazel in the hydrosol category, it is not a hydrosol.
Witch hazel is useful for burns, scalds and inflammatory skin conditions. It is excellent when applied on a cotton ball to insect and mosquito bites – it helps reduce pain and swelling. It is also one of nature’s best astringents.
Witch hazel is also a useful pain killer for hemorrhoids due to its anti-inflammatory and astringent qualities.