There’s a magical product (with an equally magical name) just waiting for you in the aisles of your favorite local drug store. You may have overlooked it in the past, but we’re here to bring it out of hiding! Let Daily Mom show you all the amazing things that Witch Hazel can do for you!
If you’ve had a baby recently, the odds are likely that you’ll find Witch Hazel in your postpartum arsenal of care. Did you know that aside from helping you heal from giving birth to what felt like a watermelon, Witch Hazel has other restorative properties? So before you go and throw out the postpartum kit now that you don’t need it, consider saving the Witch Hazel.
Witch hazel is a plant that was commonly used by American Indians for its healing properties. It is basically a natural healer. Many places even recommend using witch hazel after piercing your ears, rather than saline or alcohol because it is known to reduce inflammation.
It is mixed typically with alcohol making it an astringent. The most popular brand of witch hazel astringent is made by Dickinson’s and can be purchased at most drug stores, or online. Dickinson’s brand makes their own mixing alcohol in-house. It is gentler than pure rubbing alcohol and will not burn. It will be more drying though because of the alcohol.
You may have overlooked it in the past, but here are 10 reasons not to throw out the Witch Hazel with the mesh undies.
- As a toner: Shrink your pores and help reduce inflamed pimples or zits by using witch hazel every day. Soak a cotton ball in your favorite Witch Hazel product and swipe the cotton ball across your face like you would any toner. Alternatively, use the cotton ball on just the affected areas.
- Shrink under eye bags: Place a cotton round, or clean washcloth soaked in witch hazel on the areas around your eyes. It will reduce swelling and refresh your sensitive under-eye pores. Try an alcohol-free version since you’ll be using this near the eyes. Thayer’s brand is a good choice, and also has the added bonus of having Aloe Vera in it as well.
- Hemorrhoid Relief: In case you didn’t know: the main ingredient in items like Tucks and Preparation H is Witch Hazel. Take a bit of Aloe Vera gel, and mix it with witch hazel to apply to external hemorrhoids. It will relieve itching and reduce swelling.
- Varicose Vein Relief: Soak a clean washcloth in chilled witch hazel, and use it as a compress on your achy varicose veins. It will soothe them, and reduce swelling due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
- Soothe Poison Ivy/Oak or Itchy Psoriasis: Putting a cold compress of witch hazel on any itchy skin irritations will soothe the broken skin, and provide itch relief.
- Heal Bruises Faster: Dabbing your bruise with witch hazel 2-3 times a day will shorten the length of time that a bruise is visible, and will reduce the swelling.
- After-shave or After Wax Relief: If you suffer from razor bumps from shaving, or inflamed skin from waxing, apply some witch hazel. It also works great on ingrown hairs to soothe and reduce painful swelling.
- Diaper Rash Remedy: Take a cotton ball soaked in witch hazel and dab it on inflamed diaper rash. It will reduce swelling and provide a cooling effect. Be sure to use the alcohol-free version on baby’s bottom.
- Scalp Treatment: Witch Hazel can be added into your hair care routine to treat things like dandruff and provide relief from scalp psoriasis. Add it to your shampoo or use it as a rinse after washing your hair. Be sure to get down to the scalp.
- Reduce the appearance of Stretch Marks: Applying Witch Hazel had been known to tighten loose skin and in turn reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks. Use a cotton ball or witch hazel pad to apply to your stretch marks and scars daily. As with anything, your results may vary.
There are many great products available on the market today that allow you to conveniently add witch hazel into your routine, such as face towelettes, astringent pads, witch hazel soap, and witch hazel after-shave.
You won’t regret purchasing an inexpensive bottle of witch hazel to keep on hand in your house, and will be surprised at all the times that you find yourself reaching for the bottle to cure or relieve something.
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Looking for other ways to use what you have around the house? Try this post on natural home remedies to keep in your medicine cabinet.
