see also : [[File:Witch Hazel 6.png|thumb|350px|left|Hamamelis Virginianavirginiana]] (homeopathy)<br>
Witch Hazel, whose botanical name is Hamamelis virginiana, is a type of plant of the Hamamelidaceae family. The plant is commonly found in North America, Japan and China. There are five species of this plant with three of them namely H. vernalis, H. ovalis, and H. virginiana found in North America and referred by locals as the “winterbloom”. The other two; H. japonica, and H. mollis are found in Japan and China respectively.
Witch hazel was used as a magical as well as medicinal plant. Its name ‘Witch Hazel’ is derived from its past association between witches and magic. The plant was used by people to protect themselves from witches.<br>see also : [[Hamamelis Virginiana]] (homeopathy)
==Special Precautions of Witch Hazel==
In the USA, Witch Hazel is an FDA approved herbal product for medicinal purposes. There are not any known severe side effects of using this herb. However, oral overdose of Witch Hazel may cause allergic reactions such as rash, itchiness or inflammation, trouble breathing, dizziness, nausea or upset stomach. Therefore, oral consumption should be done only under close supervision of your health care provider and if you feel any kind of adverse symptoms, contact your physician immediately. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding it is highly recommended that you consult your doctor before using Witch Hazel.
The plant has also been found to be useful for many other non-skin related health conditions, including:
*[[Vasoconstrictor]] : Herbs Causing Constriction Of Capillaries
*Bleeding and sore gums
*Dandruff
*Diarrhea and Dysentery : Witch Hazel tea made in combination with these herbs has shown to be beneficial in the treatment of Diarrhea, Stomach Flu, Colitis or Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Dysentery and other intestinal illnesses. To relieve the discomfort caused by these intestinal conditions, make a tea by adding 1 tbsp each of dried Chamomile, Mint, Witch Hazel and Thyme to a boiling quart of water. Let it simmer for 5-7 minutes and sip one cup throughout the day. The rest of the tea can be refrigerated for a few days. If all the other ingredients are not available, a simpler tea can be made using only one teaspoon of Witch Hazel mixed into a cup of boiling water and simmered for 5-7 minutes.
* the power of 3 natural extracts : white tea, Witch Hazel and [[rose]] stops destructive inflammation, fights cancer and prevents aging.
==Main Combinations==
*Overweight with Circulatory Problems : [[Green Tea]] + Witch Hazel + [[Pilosella officinarum]] + [[Wine Pomace]]
*Venous insufficiency with micro varicose veins, couperose: Witch Hazel + [[Red Vine Leaf]]
[[Category:Treatments]]
[[Category:herbal medicine]]
[[Category:Astringent]]