Witch Hazel | Chiu Lu Mei

Witch hazel is native to North America and parts of Asia. However, it was the Native Americans who made the best use of the plant’s medicinal qualities and not the Chinese, where it remains mostly enjoyed as a garden ornamental and not as a medicine. Witch hazel is famous for its ability to heal a wide variety of skin ailments, but it can be used internally as well. It is gentle enough to be used alone or in combination with other herbs. Extracts of witch hazel with high herbal content and less alcohol will be the most soothing to use. Witch hazel is used to treat diaper rash, psoriasis, varicose veins, postpartum bleeding and diarrhea.

Witch hazel is a shrub or tree that can grow to be 20 feet tall and is easily recognizable by its brilliant orange or yellow blossoms that resemble exploding fireworks. The seed capsules erupt in fall and can fling seeds up to 30 feet away (hence the name “Snapping Hazelnut”). The bark is smooth and grey, and it’s alternate and oval leaves are 3-5 inches long, about 3 inches wide, with raised spots underneath and having stellate hairs. The yellow flowers appear very late in September or October after the leaves have been shed, in clusters from the joints, followed by black nuts, containing white seeds that are oily.

Witch hazel is native to North America and parts of Asia. It flourishes best in country fields and close to water sources and likes soil rich in acid content.