Witch Hazel - Hamamelis Virginiana

the common witch hazel sure seems like it could be a useful and beneficial plant to have around.  the extract has a variety of medicinal uses as an astringent. i suppose that my curiousitywas again peaked about it due to its common offering in labor wards to ease post partum swelling but it can also be used on insect bites etc.....

I am curious how one would create and extract of witch hazel. anybody?

its reportedly tolerant of a variety of conditions. I am particularly interested in its reported ability to tolerate polluted conditions. could it be used to help clean up polluted land?

its kinda of neat looking shrubby tree like thing too. aesthetic interest is always a plus for me.


so give me your thoughts and experiences on witch hazel!

I've heard it creates some winter interest because of late blooming, and its good for the birdies too.

Here is a link  how to make witch hazel that doesn't contain alcohol:
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art48232.asp

Witch hazel branches are used for dowsing, too.

I love Witch Hazel & use it all the time,strong antiseptic & astringent,,especially once I learned that hydrogen peroxide can only be used one time on a wound because it kills good tissue..
yes, beautiful yellow leaf thru winter when most leaves have fallen off. I buy mine but if you take just young twigs(save flowers & leaves they smell good)mulch them up, simmer in distilled water all day then strain off. If you add couple oz. grain alcohol or vodka it will last longer,,refrigerate. that would be 1 pound of twigs to 2 gal. water.
This would be for EXTERNAL use ONLY. I don't know about other ways.
It is a remedy for inflammation & hemorrhoids. leaves are medicinal too.

I currently have several jars packed with lavender and then filled with witch hazel.  My first time doing this.

I usually make a lavender spray with just water but then I have to keep making it all of the time. 

I am hoping that by doing it with witch hazel I can make a lot that will keep for a long time - like maybe a year?

They sell Lavender witch hazel in the stores all day long so I figured I would give it a try.  I don't wear parfume - just oils and lavender water.

Now actually making the witch hazel from your own shrub; I believe that commercially made witch hazel has some alcohol in it but not for certain. 

Here is a neat 'home-made' version you can make yourself  http://handmaidenkitchen.blogspot.com/2010/01/make-your-own-witch-hazel-extract.html

Jeanine Gurley wrote:
Here is a neat 'home-made' version you can make yourself  http://handmaidenkitchen.blogspot.com/2010/01/make-your-own-witch-hazel-extract.html

According to the article this is the time to make witch hazel. Has anybody tried it? I'm doing some seasonal work at a store that carries witch hazel salve that sounds interesting. If I've got time I'll try it but with alcohol so it stores longer. Wonder what they put in the alcohol free version so it doesn't go bad?

They've already got flowers out:



I've got lots around and I'm actually starting to chop and drop where I need to open areas up.