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I’ve known about witch hazel since childhood. I remember that my mother and grandmother always had a bottle of it on hand, for everything from cleaning our faces to soothing a scrape. Recently the many benefits of this astringent came back into my awareness.
Here are 12 amazing uses for witch hazel.
What is Witch Hazel?
This versatile plant, technically a shrub, creates bright orange or yellow flowers. It is native to North America. The bark and leaves are used medicinally to treat a variety of skin ailments. Witch hazel contains tannins, a natural compound with astringent properties. It is also antibacterial and anti-inflammatory.
Native Americans used this plant for thousands of years for various purposes, including soothing skin conditions, easing sore muscles and healing irritated digestive systems.
12 Amazing Uses for Witch Hazel
Reduces Under Eye Puffiness
Using a cotton ball or square soaked with witch hazel, carefully dab the under eye area to soothe and ease puffiness and reduce the appearance of dark circles. Avoid getting witch hazel in the eyes.
Treats Swimmers Ear
Swimmer’s ear is a bacterial infection caused by water remaining in the ear after swimming. Add a few drops of witch hazel to the affected ear to dry up infection, clear away excess oil and remove debris or earwax.
Soothes Sunburn
Mix witch hazel with pure aloe vera gel. Smooth gently over skin to cool and soothe a sunburn and help prevent peeling.
Safely Removes Ticks
Try using witch hazel on an attached tick. Soak the tick with a few drops of witch hazel. They dislike the taste of this astringent and will loosen their grip, allowing you to safely and easily remove them. Cleanse the bite area well with witch hazel after removing the tick to prevent infection.
Soothes Dry Skin
Even though witch hazel is considered an astringent, is improves dry skin by unclogging pores and restoring healthy oils. Apply witch hazel to dry areas after showering, while skin is still damp. Allow skin to dry naturally for several minutes, then use a moisturizer.
Natural Insect Repellent
Make your own DIY insect repellent using witch hazel. Combine 2 tablespoons witch hazel, 8 drops of lemongrass essential oil and 1 cup of distilled water in a spray bottle. Shake well. Spray on skin and and clothing to repel biting insects. Witch hazel is safe for skin and most fabrics. If in doubt, test first on a small area of the fabric.
This spray also soothes and relieves the itchiness of bug bites and reduces swelling from bee stings.
Cleanses and Tones Skin
Soak a cotton ball or square in witch hazel and use as a daily face cleanser and toner. Witch hazel cleanses and tightens pores, without drying the skin. For oily skin, witch hazel helps to reduce excessive oil buildup.
Treats Acne
Witch hazel effectively treats acne by reduces inflammation and eliminating bacteria. Not only does it clear up acne, it helps to improve the appearance of acne scarring while healing the skin.
Apply witch hazel to acne on face, chest or back and allow it to dry.
Make a DIY Hand Sanitizer
Witch hazel’s antibacterial properties make it an excellent choice for a DIY hand sanitizer. Mix together 1 1/2 teaspoons of witch hazel, liquid from one vitamin E capsule (or 1/4 teaspoon of vitamin E oil), 15 drops of tea tree essential oil and 1/2 cup aloe vera gel in a pump or squeeze bottle. Use within two weeks.
This hand sanitizer will not dry out the hands. Rather it helps to keep them moisturized.
Soothes Razor Burn
Use witch hazel after shaving legs, underarms or face to calm skin and prevent itchy, irritated bumps. Witch hazel also helps to prevent ingrown hairs from forming. As a bonus, it stops bleeding from any nicks caused by shaving.
Disinfects Wounds
Witch hazel’s disinfectant and hemostatic properties cleanse wounds and reduce bleeding. And it stings less than alcohol based disinfectants. Soak a cotton square in witch hazel and then apply to minor scrapes and cuts to cleanse the wound, stop bleeding and speed healing. Witch hazel soothes bruises and swellings as well.
Create Your Own DIY Room & Upholstery Spray
To freshen a room and help eliminate odors from carpets or upholstery, combine 2 tablespoons witch hazel, 6 drops lavender or citrus essential oil, 2 teaspoons baking soda and 3 tablespoons water in a small spray bottle. Shake well. Spray into a room or spray lightly on carpets or upholstery to eliminate odors.
Purchasing Witch Hazel
Make sure that you purchase 100% pure witch hazel, with no additives. From my research, the witch hazel pictured below is considered a high quality product. Order by clicking on the photo!
Have you ever used witch hazel? I’ve just ordered a bottle, to add to my natural medicinal stash. If you’ve discovered other uses for amazing witch hazel, I’d love to hear about it.
Other Dickinson’s Witch Hazel Products:
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I am not a medical practitioner. I study health and wellness related topics and share experiences from my own personal healing journey.
Great information! I never thought about using it for sunburn! We are in that season, no matter how hard I try I always get sunburned!
I’d forgotten how useful it is until recently! I picked up a bottle. 😊
I love witchhazel! Some of these I didn’t know about. Thanks!
Ooohhh I didn’t know it could be used as an insect repellent. Good to know as we head into warmer months!
Witch hazel is a common staple in our house. Thanks for all of the wonderful uses!
I love that witch hazel has so many other uses I didn’t know about. I have used it for acne.
I love the idea of room spray and I must try it for under my eyes. Unfortunately, others must be reading this because now witch hazel is hard to get as rubbing alcohol. I guess it will stay on my list until it comes back in. lol
Wow, never knew all of these. Thanks!
I LOVE witch hazel. I use it all the time to spot treat acne and for mosquito bites as well. This was a great read – Thanks!
Great ideas, thanks for sharing! I’ve used witch hazel as a toner for years now, but had no idea about some of the other uses. Definitely going to try the room spray idea.
I didn’t know about this..really good information! Thanks
Never thought of these uses for it. Love the under eye puffiness as one. But interesting all the uses for it. Thanks for the post – I think I need to get me some Witch Hazel!
So many uses for witch hazel. Who knew?!
I loved witch hazel as a kid. My mom always had some so now it reminds me of her. I will have to get some!
What a versatile product! I feel like I could use that to solve all of my problems in life! lol I know my mom uses it pretty much daily.
I use witch hazel a lot, but you shared a few ways to use it that I had not thought of. Thanks!
Interesting – always heard about it but no idea where to even buy it – now I do!
I really love this list. I am definitely going to try this as a natural insect repellant!
Me too!
I have never heard of witch hazel. Wow, that is crazy it can help so many aliments.
I have been using witch hazel since I was a teenager. Mostly for acne. I’m amazed at the other things it can do too! Thanks for the info!
I forget about the power of witch hazel! I used it as a teen to clean my face because it was inexpensive and there weren’t near the options we have today. Now I’m going to have to keep a bottle around because we deal with lots of these issues at my house!
Yes same here!
I didn’t even think about using it for sunburns! I have to agree though, may be hard to find for the next little while.
Thanks for the info. I’ve never used witch hazel before and didn’t realize how useful it is.
Lots of great ideas about using Witchhazel. Thanks for the tips.
Great tips! Witch hazel has more uses than I was aware of!
Yes lots of great uses for it!
It’s also great for postpartum soothing!
That’s excellent!
Thanks for the info! I’ve heard about witch hazel, but have never used it myself.
I grew up using it. It’s back in my life now!
Well, this is perfect. A friend gave me a bottle of witch hazel, but I wasn’t quite sure what to do with it. Puffy eyes, here we go!
What an awesome gift you received!
I love using this on my face after a shower. I had no idea it had so many other great applications!
I’ve used it as an astringent too. Glad to find there are other uses as well!
I learned a lot from this post! I will have to look into getting some witch hazel!
Such a simple product from my childhood! I’m glad to discover it’s many uses as well.
I had no idea. Thanks for sharing!
You are welcome!
Oh wow that’s so cool! I only thought it as an astringent for after washing your face. I will for sure get more and use it on itchy bites too! Thank you!
It has so many uses doesn’t it?!