Witch Hazel, Prep & Dose

Witch hazel is harvested in the spring. We don't harvest off the main trunk even if it is quite large in an older tree but just do some healthy pruning taking maybe 12 in off of the end of some of the outer branches and those are the more succulent plant branches anyway. You can dry the branches and leaves to use later for Witch Hazel Water, or use fresh.

Witch Hazel Water

Process in 2-step method: put branches in water, usually a 1:16 ratio, one part of the branches to 16 parts of water. Bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer, covered, and cook for about 30 minutes. At the end of 30 minutes, turn off the heat and that's when you add the leaves. You're doing the decoction to begin with and then you're adding the leaves later because they will suffer from extreme heat for too long. Leave the whole thing for several hours, even overnight.

Use as a compress, as a gargle, as a douche, in netti pots because any tissues that it comes in contact with, it's going to arrange and tighten them and reduce any secretions. Use a topical application for hemorrhoids. And it is a really excellent first aid remedy for hemorrhoids. Also for things like insect bites and burns. You can you can use this as a rinse or or put it on a cloth and apply the cloth.

The bark is more astringent (Decoct) than the leaf (infuse),while the tincture and fluid extract are fine for either.

External conditions benefit from salves, washes, swabs, compresses,mouthwashesand gargling. Pessaries and suppositories for pelvic congestive conditions are excellent.

Commercial preparations do not contain the medicinal tannins.

Dosage forms

Dried leaves and bark for decoctions; steam distillate, ointment and suppositories . Fresh leaves and twigs are collected in the spring and early summer to make a steam distillate . Store in a well-closed container, protected from

light.

Tincture Dried bark (1:5, 40% alcohol) for topical use only

External use: steam distillate, undiluted or diluted 1 : 3 with water to make poultices; 20–30% in semisolid preparations . Extracts: in semisolid and liquid preparations corresponding to 5–10% of the crude drug .

Crude drug:

Decoctions from 5–10 g to 1 cup (250 ml) water for poultices and wound irrigation.

External decoction: 2-3 gm fine cut powdered bark in 150 ml water

Other preparations: several times daily, corresponding to 0.1–1.0 g drug in preparations, or witch hazel water undiluted or diluted with water

By mouth: 2 grams of dried leaves three times daily or as a tea

On the skin: 5 to 10 grams of leaf and bark simmered in 250 milliliters of water or undiluted

As an alcohol extract : Saturate a piece of cloth and apply to the affected area.

Rectal area. By suppository, use 0.1 to 1 gram leaf and bark applied one to three times daily. When applied to anal area, witch hazel water may be applied up to six times a day or after bowel movements.

To make your own extract:

½ lb bark

Distilled water to cover 1-2 inches over the bark

Bring to a boil, then simmer for 20 minutes. Strain. Add half as much grain alcohol (if you have a cup of decoction, add ½ cup alcohol). It keeps for about 1-2 years. Without the alcohol (if you want to use it on your face without alcohol that’s fine) keep it in the fridge and use within a week.

From Physio-Medical Therapeutics, Materia Medica and Pharmacy BY T. J. LYLE, A.M.M. 1897