In years gone, Indian tribes used Witch Hazel for medicinal purposes. These days, it is one of a handful of medicinal treatments that are allowed to be used by the Federal Drug Administration. Of course, there are other herbal extracts permitted as dietary supplements, but witch hazel is one of just a select few that are still allowed as topical treatments. It was widely used for ailments such as hemorrhoids, insect bites and stings, skin ulcers, tumors, boils and other rashes like chiggers or poison ivy.
Witch Hazel is a native shrub found in America and Europe. Witch Hazel has many medicinal qualities that have seen it highly valued over the years and used in many different ways. In early days, it’s branches and flowers were steamed and the broth mixed with alcohol then used for astringents or topical medication. Nowadays, it is an ingredient in many different things ranging from mouthwashes to anti aging creams and also anti wrinkle creams. It is an ingredient in many different hemorrhoid treatments today. It’s a popular home remedy and skin care experimentalists claim that medicines made up of Witch Hazel work in anti aging of skin.
In the anti aging treatments, because it has been found to contain capillary constricting properties to reduce inflammation, and topical antioxidant properties, it is a safe, and affordable home remedy, as witch hazel oil can be purchased for under a couple dollars in the pharmacy section of most stores. It’s use as an ingredient in the skin care line of anti aging creams and anti wrinkle creams, may be in a more concentrated form and thus promotes cell turnover and new cell moisturizing by using the oil concentrates to keep skin cells plump and hydrated.
The Oneida Indians showed Theron Pond from Utica, NY, the medicinal uses of witch hazel circa 1840. Witch Hazel is native to New York and Connecticut and these regions still supply much of the witch hazel today. After many years studying with Oneida Indian medicine men, Theron Pond was astounded by the healing powers and decided to sell the extract using the name of Golden Treasure. The company moved location several times and after the death of Theron Pond, established in Connecticut using the name “Pond’s extract”.
Witch Hazel production is still alive around Connecticut and the region is one of the leading manufacturers of witch hazel extract. The bulk of harvesting is done in Northwestern Connecticut. Here, property owners harvest from the shrubs every few years, they re-branch and sell directly to distributors. From here, it is then sold for pharmaceutical uses.
Witch Hazel has been confirmed as an antioxidant, radiation protective and anti-inflammatory. It is an approved astringent and external analgesic, and has internal medicinal uses as well. It is only natural that it is an ingredient in anti aging creams and anti wrinkle creams, as a proven treatment.