|
 Hamamelis virginiana
(Hamamelidaceae)
WITCH HAZEL, SPOTTED ALDER
Adopted from North American
Indian usage, the leaves and bark are used in pharmaceutical preparations
for rashes and burns, and by herbalists and homeopaths for piles and
bruises.
Witch hazel, now a common garden plant,
was first employed by the North American Indians, who used its twigs for water
divining and its leaves and bark as a medicine for swellings and tumours. Native to North America, it is a perennial shrub with a smooth bark, toothed
oval leaves, and yellow flowers that appear in very late summer, followed by small
black nuts containing white seeds.
PARTS USED
Leaves, bark.
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
Tannins; flavonoids, including quercetin and kaempferol; saponins.
ACTIONS
Astringent; prevents haemorrhage; anti-inflammatory.
MEDICINAL USE
Applied externally for piles, bruises and inflamed swellings,
and given internally for diarrhoea and colitis (an inflammatory disease of the intestines).
In homeopathy, Hamamelis is given for piles and bleeding.
PREPARATIONS
Distilled extract, tincture, ointment, homeopathic remedies.
|
