What is witch hazel? “Witch hazel is an astringent compound produced from the leaves and bark of the North American witch hazel shrub (Hamamelis virginiana). It is a component of many commercial healthcare products. Witch hazel water can be produced by maceration or distillation” [1]. Is witch hazel an emulsifier? Is witch hazel a preservative? Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)-Uses and Limitations
Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)-Uses and Limitations
Astringents are significant in skincare because they are quite efficient at the contraction of skin tissue, as a result, astringents in OTC (Over the counter) products like hemorrhoid crème and products to remove under-eye puffiness for example. You can Google the most well-known hemorrhoid crème and see that it contains a petrolatum base, along with shark liver oil, a number of other ‘stuff’, and 50% witch hazel. Witch hazel works!
We do not need all the other fillers in those products; we can purchase great quality organic witch hazel extract online and utilize it for a whole host of things. My recommendation is to purchase through Mountain Rose Herbs.
Witch hazel contains 14% alcohol, which is a really important point to remember. One may automatically think then it must be drying to the skin, but witch hazel is actually considered to be hydrating to the skin to a certain degree. One of the most popular uses aside from hemorrhoids is blemishes. It really helps to clear them up fast. How else can witch hazel be used?
When my boys were little I used witch hazel on their bottom to clear up red, itchy, irritated skin. Just be sure not to use at every diaper change as you may dry out the most sensitive skin. Two times a day and you will see a clearing of the issue quickly.
I use witch hazel as a toner on my face with a cotton round in place of soap. I have used witch hazel as a base for an after the shave lotion. Rashes, poison ivy, chickenpox, sunburn, windburn, cuts, and scrapes, you name it; witch hazel is a winner for the skin.
Some state it works great all by itself as a natural deodorant, but I admit I have not tried it in this manner….yet!
If you are familiar with working with hydrosols, you can purchase witch hazel in this form as well! According to hydrosol expert Suzanne Catty, the shelf life of witch hazel hydrosol is eight months to a year [2]. So, it is a bit shorter than witch hazel distillate, which is easily past that one year mark, and they both have all of the benefits I mentioned above and more!
Witch Hazel Limitations
Solubilizing Properties of Witch Hazel?
I wanted to be sure to address two different ways in which some state that witch hazel can be used that are not a true representation of the plants abilities. The first is that witch hazel is a proper and effective solubilizer, capable of dispersing essential oils in water. It is not. The theory is that the alcohol content within witch hazel will disperse the tiny droplets of oil in the water.
Herein lies the issue. Witch hazel contains only 14%-15% alcohol (Many on the store shelves are not alcohol-free).
DID YOU KNOW? 190 proof alcohol is what you would ideally need for it to act as a solubilizer (dispersing oils in water)? Even cheap vodka is not strong enough to help you get that done (If you have access to Everclear in your state, you are golden). If not, check this resource to get yourself some grain, grape, or cane alcohol. Witch hazel is not even coming close to being effective, as you can see in the multiple images I took below using German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) for an effective visual.
Image copyright Lifeholistically LLC
Image copyright Lifeholistically LLC
Seeing is believing, right?
Preservative Capabilities of Witch Hazel?
Some have stated that witch hazel also has preservative properties, however, this is not factual as alcohol can only preserve at very specific quantities. In order for alcohol to have true preservative properties, you are talking about 20-25% ethanol to be effective [3]. As you can see, witch hazel does not fit the bill.
High proof alcohol such as grain, grape, or cane in a room spray is a great option, however, if you are making large batches this could get costly. If you wanted to make something like this to be sprayed on the skin you are looking at the possibility of it being very drying, and there is a risk of skin irritation because it can strip away the skin’s moisture barrier.
Closing
So, we can now see that witch hazel is amazing for many things skin-related, it is not, however, a solubilizer or an effective preservative. If you have any questions regarding this topic, feel free to reach out to me personally @ Lifeholistically@gmail.com.
Like so many practices in life, I encourage you to become educated on the proper use of essential oils. When using them, please do so cautiously, understanding that there is often misinformation on the Internet. You can be assured that I support only educated and proven resources. While essential oils should not be feared they should be respected and used properly to ensure the safety of the individuals using them. Please note that I am not a medical practitioner. The content of the website is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for, professional medical advice. Do not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating any medical health condition. If you have or suspect you have a medical problem, promptly contact your professional healthcare provider. By using this website, you assume full responsibility and liability for your own actions.
References
[1] Riegler, D. (2013) Witch Hazel, Healer in the deep dark woods. Retrieved from https://apothecarysgarden.com/2013/05/26/witch-hazel-healer-in-the-dark-deep-woods/
[2] Catty, S. (2001). Hydrosols: The next aromatherapy. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press.
[3] Review of 27 preservatives. Retrieved from http://www.makingskincare.com/preservatives/
