Witch Hazel always had a mystical ring to it. After all, it begins to bloom in the middle of winter reminding us that spring is around the corner! Witch Hazel works its herbal magic in many ways and Native American communities were familiar with this useful herb.
A member of the Witch Hazel family, American Witch Hazel is in the Hamamelis genus, and the species name virginiana refers to this plant first spotted by Europeans in Virginia. Hamamelis virginiana can be found throughout the Northeast and Southeast areas of North America including Connecticut. It can also be found as far north as Nova Scotia, south to Florida, and west to Texas. American
Witch Hazel is a small shrub with arching branches that grow in dense clumps. The oval dark green leaves have large wavy teeth. In the autumn the leaves turn yellow and have spots that are rust colored. The bark is light brown on the outside, while the inner bark is reddish purple. The fragrant bright yellow flowers that look like twisted ribbons begin to bloom in late fall; and are pollinated by a moth. In the fall, two shiny black seeds are expelled from the capsules that replace the flowers and take up to a year to germinate.
Medicinal Uses of American Witch Hazel
Native Americans produced witch hazel extract by boiling the stems of the shrub and producing a decoction, which was used to treat swellings, inflammations, and tumors. Many communities also made tea from the leaves and bark of witch hazel to reduce fevers. Witch Hazel tea was given to soothe sore throats, colds, lung trouble, and asthma. An infusion was made of the bark and used as an astringent to treat sores and skin irritations, the leaves were sometimes rubbed on scratches and bruises for relief.
Specifically, the Cherokee used an infusion of witch hazel as an analgesic and cold remedy. They also took an infusion of the bark to treat TB. The Chippewa used the inner bark as an emetic and as a wash for sore eyes. The Iroquois made an infusion of the twigs and bark and took it to treat dysentery. They also made a compound from the leaves and bark and used it to treat arthritis. The Iroquois gave a compound decoction to women after childbirth to prevent hemorrhages. The Menominee made a decoction that was rubbed on the legs to keep them limber. The Mohegans used an infusion of twigs and leaves and used it as a lotion to treat cuts and insect bites. They also used the sticks from this shrub to locate underground water or buried treasure.
Early sources document that some communities used the wood of the witch hazel shrub to make bows.
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Did You Know...
An extract of American Witch Hazel is used in producing Witch Hazel.
Witch Hazel is one of the few plants approved by the FDA as a non-prescription drug ingredient.
Today witch hazel is used as a lotion and is marketed as a first aid for skin irritations.
Other names for this plant are Snapping Hazelnut, Spotted Alder, and Winter Bloom.
Early settlers used witch hazel's forked limbs for water drowsing. These "water witches" believed that witch hazel had a spiritual power to detect water by bending slightly signaling water underneath.
Hamamelis virginiana is distinguished from Hamamelis vernalis by blooming in the fall and not in the winter.
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