Witch hazel, a native of the eastern United States and Canada, is a shrub or small tree with wavy-margined leaves and yellow flowers having four long, strap-shaped petals. Of the four species in the genus Hamamelis, two are native to North America; H. virginiana sometimes hybridizes with the other species, H. vernalis Sargent (Ozark witch hazel), but species boundaries are generally distinct.

The bark and leaves of witch hazel contain tannins and were traditionally used as an astringent for internal or external bleeding, diarrhea, bruises, scalds, and skin inflammation. Witch hazel extract for topical use is still commonly available, and oral as well as topical preparations may be recommended for hemorrhoids. Only a handful of animal or human studies on topical preparations have been conducted (most involving reduction in inflammation caused by UV irradiation of skin, perhaps supporting the traditional use for minor burns). A few in vitro studies have shown that witch hazel bark contains antimutagenic and antioxidant compounds, which might or might not be relevant in practice; alcohol extracts show antimicrobial activity against bacteria that cause periodontitis. Although no clinical trials support the traditional use for hemorrhoids, the ability of topical astringents to reduce bleeding and inflammation is documented by extensive human experience, so it seems plausible that some benefit might well be seen if trials were conducted. The safety of topical use is unquestioned; it does not appear that any animal studies of prolonged oral use have been conducted.

Selected References

Hughes-Formella, B. J., K. Bohnsack, F. Rippke, G. Benner, M. Rudolph, I. Tausch, and J. Gassmueller. 1998. Anti-inflammatory effect of hamamelis lotion in a UVB erythema test. Dermatology 196: 316-322.

Iauk, L., A. M. Lo Bue, I. Milazzo, A. Rapisarda, and G. Blandino. 2003. Antibacterial activity of medicinal plant extracts against periodontopathic bacteria. Phytother. Res. 17: 599-604.

Meyer, F. G. 1997. Hamamelidaceae. Pp. 362-367 in: Flora of North America Editorial Committee, eds. Flora of North America, vol. 3. Oxford University Press: New York.