Witch Hazel

Witch Hazel

source : pixabay

BASIC INFORMATION

Biological name (genus and species):

  • Hamamelis virginiana

Parts used for medicinal purposes:

  • Bark
  • Leaves
  • Twigs

Chemicals this herb contains:

  • Bitters
  • Calcium oxalate
  • Gallic acid
  • Hamamelitannin
  • Hexose sugar
  • Tannins
  • Volatile oils

KNOWN EFFECTS

  • Shrinks tissues (ointments, solutions, suppositories).
  • Interferes with absorption of iron and other minerals when taken internally.

UNPROVED SPECULATED BENEFITS

  • Acts as a sedative.
  • Treats diarrhea.
  • Soothes irritated skin or hemorrhoids.
  • Prevents secretion of fluids.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Don’t take if you:

  • Are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or plan pregnancy in the near future.
  • Have any chronic disease of the gastrointestinal tract, such as stomach or duodenal ulcers, esophageal reflux (reflux esophagitis), ulcerative colitis, spastic colitis, diverticulosis, diverticulitis.

Consult your doctor if you:

  • Take this herb for any medical problem that doesn’t improve in 2 weeks. There may be safer, more-effective treatments.
  • Take any medicinal drugs or herbs including aspirin, laxatives, cold and cough remedies, antacids, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, supplements, other prescription or non-prescription drugs.

Pregnancy:

  • Dangers outweigh any possible benefits. Don’t use.

Breast-feeding:

  • Dangers outweigh any possible benefits. Don’t use.

Infants and children:

  • Treating infants and children under 2 with any herbal preparation is hazardous.

Others:

  • When used externally, no toxicity is expected.
  • When used internally, no toxicity expected if you are beyond childhood and under 45, not pregnant, basically healthy and take for only a short time.

Storage:

  • Keep cool and dry, but don’t freeze. Store safely away from children.

Safe dosage:

  • At present no “safe” dosage has been established.

TOXICITY

Rated relatively safe when taken in appropriate quantities for short periods of time.

  • For symptoms of toxicity: See ADVERSE REACTIONS, SIDE EFFECTS OR OVERDOSE SYMPTOMS section below.

ADVERSE REACTIONS, SIDE EFFECTS OR OVERDOSE SYMPTOMS

Signs and symptoms: What to do:
Constipation Discontinue. Call doctor
when convenient.
Jaundice (yellow skin and eyes) Discontinue. Call doctor
immediately.
Nausea Discontinue. Call doctor
immediately.
Vomiting Discontinue. Call doctor
immediately.

From the Complete Guide to Vitamins, Minerals & Supplements by H. Winter Griffith, M.D. © 1988 by Fisher Books; electronic rights by Medical Data Exchange

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