Witch hazel virginiana

Deciduous shrub or tree up to 10 m high with oval leaves and small, yellowish to orange flowers in winter, hairy, woody capsule fruit with typical two horns at the tip. Native to East Asia and North America.

Originally used by the indigenous population of North America as a wound healing agent, used in Europe from the 18th century.

The dried leaves (witch hazel leaves - Hamamelidis folium) and the dried bark (witch hazel bark - Hamamelidis cortex) are used phytotherapeutically.

The steam distillate witch hazel water is produced from witch hazel leaves or flowers or witch hazel bark and is widely used therapeutically.

In the cosmetics industry: Hamamelis virginiana extract(INCI), Hamamelis virginiana water (INCI), Hamamelis virginiana distillate (INCI).

see also Hamamelis extract hemorrhoid ointment I (W/O), Hamamelis extract hemorrhoid ointment II (W/O)

The "Virginian witch hazel" is intensively used commercially as a medicinal plant. The medicinal drugs obtained (Hamamelidis aqua, Hamamelidis cortex, Hamamelidis folium) have an astringent, anti-inflammatory, astringent and antipruritic effect. Hamamelis extracts contain tannins of the tannin type(up to 9 %), including hamamelitannin, monogalloylhamameloses, flavonoids and essential oil (see also under the respective extracts).

Naturopathic applications:

• Hamamelis virginale is the parent plant of Hamamelidis folium, the officinal Hamalis leaves (Ph.Helv.7; DAC).
• Hamamelis virginale is the parent plant of Hamamelidis cortex, the officinal Hamamelis bark (DAC).

The following extracts are used cosmetically:

• Hamamelis virgin iana extract is the extract from the twigs or leaves, as well as from the dried and crushed bark of the stems of Hamamelis virginiana, the Virginian witch hazel.
• Hamamelis virginianawater is an aqueous solution from the flowers of Hamaelis virginiana.
• Hamamelis virginiana distillate (INCI) is an aqueous solution obtained by steam distillation from the freshly cut and partially dried twigs or leaves, as well as from the bark of the stems of Hamamelis virginiana.

The following preparations of Hamamelis virginale are used homeopathically:

• Hamamelis virginiana e folis, from the fresh leaves; furthermore: Hamamelis extract Hazeline, Hamamelis virginana ethanol Decot (HAB1).

For a topical preparation with 10% witch hazel extract an anti-inflammatory efficacy was proven in the UV erythema test. The effect was weaker than that of a 1% hydrocortisone application.

Superficial skin infections, local inflammation of the skin and mucous membranes, thrombophlebitis, hemorrhoids, chronic venous insufficiency.

Apply 1-3 times/day to the diseased area.

^Hametum® wound and healing ointment, ^Hametum® hemorrhoid ointment, ^Hametum® mono suppositories,

Hamasana Hamamelis Ointment, Hamamelis Ointment N LAW, Hamadest® Ointment

Hamamelis virginiana is synonymously called "witch hazel" (Greek for "hama" [at the same time] and "melon" [apple, fruit]) because the tree bears fruit in the same year before flowering. The drug was widely used by the Indians of North America as a wound healing remedy. The shrub only reached Europe in the 18th century as an ornamental plant.

1. Beikert FC et al. (2013) Antiinflammatory potential of seven plant extracts in the ultraviolet erythema test. A randomized, placebo-controlled study. Dermatologist 64:40-46.
2. Hughes-Formella BJ et al. (2002) Anti-inflammatory efficacy of topical preparations with 10% hamamelis distillate in a UV erythema test. Skin Pharmacol Appl Skin Physiol 15:125-132.
3. Reuter J et al. (2007) Sage extract rich in phenolic diterpens inhibits ultraviolet-induced erythema in vivo. Planta Med 73: 1190-1191
4. Wolff HH et al.(2007) Hamamelis in children with skin disorders and skin injuries: results of an observational study. Eur J Pediatr 166:943-948.
5. Wenigmann M. (2017) Phytotherapy medicinal drugs, phytopharmaceuticals, application. Urban & Fischer, pp. 118-120
6. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/hamamelis.php
7. http://www.pharmakobotanik.de/systematik/6_droge/hamame-f.htm