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Herb library · Herb · Hamamelis virginiana

Witch hazel

A shrub of eastern North American woods that flowers in late autumn. Its astringent bark and leaves, and the distilled witch hazel water on drugstore shelves, are used on the skin. Studies in people are few and small.

Traditional use

King's American Dispensatory (1905) records that American Indians used witch hazel as a poultice on painful swellings and external inflammations, and that its bark decoction was used as a wash for sore mouths, inflamed eyes and hemorrhoids. The same book notes that the distilled extract of the twigs and leaves was already very popular. In Europe it is registered as a traditional herbal medicine for minor skin inflammation and dryness, for itching and burning from hemorrhoids, and as a mouthwash or gargle for minor inflammation inside the mouth.

What studies show

  • Limited

    Minor skin problems in children: in a 2007 observational study of 309 children with small injuries, diaper rash or skin inflammation, those given witch hazel ointment improved about as much as those given dexpanthenol ointment, and both were well tolerated. There was no untreated or placebo group, so the study cannot show how much the ointment itself did.

  • Insufficient

    Sunburn-type redness: in a 2013 test on 40 people, witch hazel applied to skin reddened by UV light did not reduce the redness significantly compared with the plain base cream.

  • Insufficient

    Hemorrhoids and mouth inflammation: the European monograph accepts these uses on long tradition, not on trials.

Be careful of

Cautions

  • AllergyAllergic skin reactions (contact dermatitis) have been reported, according to the European monograph.
  • ConditionBleeding or itching around the anus can come from serious bowel disease; have it checked by a clinician before using home remedies.
  • PregnancyThe European monograph says safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been established.
  • NoteDrugstore witch hazel water is a distillate made with alcohol and is for use on the skin, not for drinking.
  • Ask a clinicianTalk with a clinician or pharmacist before using this if you take prescription medicines, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are giving it to a child.

From the old books

What herbals and dispensaries of the past printed. History, in their words.

“It is useful in the form of poultice in swellings and tumors of a painful character, as well as in external inflammations. The American Indians used it for this purpose.”
Harvey Wickes Felter and John Uri Lloyd, King's American Dispensatory (1905), vol. 2, p. 975. See the page of King's American Dispensatory, vol. 2, p. 975 (opens in a new tab) · Read the full passage from King's American Dispensatory, vol. 2, p. 975

Sources

  1. Final community herbal monograph on Hamamelis virginiana L., folium (EMA/HMPC/114586/2008) (opens in a new tab) · EMA · read September 25, 2026
  2. Hamamelis in children with skin disorders and skin injuries: results of an observational study (Eur J Pediatr, 2007) — PubMed record (opens in a new tab) · NIH · read September 25, 2026
  3. Antiinflammatory potential of seven plant extracts in the ultraviolet erythema test. A randomized, placebo-controlled study (Hautarzt, 2013) — PubMed record (opens in a new tab) · NIH · read September 25, 2026
  4. Hamamelidis folium — European Union herbal monograph (traditional use) (opens in a new tab) · EMA · read September 25, 2026

Reviewed September 25, 2026.