Hamamelis virginiana

COMPRESS: 2–3 g dried witch hazel leaves in 200 ml boiling water, steep covered 10 min, strain, cool to body temperature. Soak a sterile compress or clean linen cloth, wring lightly, apply to the affected skin area. 2–3× daily for 10–15 min. EMA: Traditional external use for minor skin inflammations, small wounds and bruises. Do not treat open wounds, second-degree burns or deep injuries. Seek medical advice if no improvement within 1 week.

Dry amount

2–3 g

Doses per day

3×

Max duration

4 weeks

TINCTURE / LIQUID EXTRACT (external): Witch hazel leaf tincture (DER 1:5 in 60–70 % ethanol), applied neat or diluted 1:1–1:3 with water. Apply with cotton pad or compress 2–3× daily. Commission E: external use for minor skin and mucous membrane inflammations, haemorrhoids, minor skin/mucous membrane injuries. Do NOT apply to deep wounds or severely inflamed surfaces. Due to ethanol content do not apply neat to sensitive or damaged mucous membranes.

Liquid amount

2–5 ml

Doses per day

3×

Max duration

4 weeks

SITZ BATH / PARTIAL BATH: 5–10 g dried witch hazel leaves in 1 litre boiling water, steep 15 min, strain, add to sitz bath water (approx. 5–10 litres, hand-warm 37–38 °C). Sit for 10–15 min. Once daily. EMA: Traditional use as sitz bath for mild pain and discomfort from haemorrhoids. Also suitable as partial bath for local skin inflammations, itching and mild eczema. Dry thoroughly afterwards. For severe pain, bleeding or mucosal swelling, consult a doctor immediately.

Dry amount

5–10 g

Doses per day

1×

Max duration

4 weeks

BARK TINCTURE (external): Witch hazel bark tincture (DER 1:5 in 45–70 % ethanol) or standardised dry extract (DER 5–7:1, standardised on tannins), applied to skin or mucous membranes 2–3× daily. Commission E positive for bark: external use in minor skin inflammations, minor skin injuries, local inflammations of oral/pharyngeal mucosa and haemorrhoids. Bark contains higher hamamelitannin content than the leaf and is more pronounced in astringency. Do not use longer than 4 weeks without medical supervision.

Liquid amount

2–5 ml

Doses per day

3×

Max duration

4 weeks

GARGLE SOLUTION: 1–2 g dried witch hazel leaves in 200 ml boiling water, steep 10 min, strain, cool to body temperature. Use as mouth rinse or gargle 3× daily for minor oral/pharyngeal mucosal inflammations. Do NOT swallow — astringent tannins can cause stomach upset. Alternative: dilute witch hazel leaf tincture 1:5 with water. Commission E recognises external use for oral and pharyngeal mucosal inflammations.

Dry amount

1–2 g

Doses per day

3×

Max duration

2 weeks

OINTMENT / CREAM: Ready-made preparations with standardised witch hazel leaf dry extracts (DER 5–7:1, typically 5–10 % extract in base) or bark extract, applied thinly to affected area 2–3× daily. EMA: Traditional external use for minor skin inflammations, itching, minor wounds and bruises. Use appropriate formulations for the perianal region (haemorrhoid ointments). Do NOT apply to weeping eczema, infected wounds or intact mucous membranes of eye/ear. May contain excipients (cetyl alcohol, fragrances) — consult doctor if contact allergy occurs.

Doses per day

3×

Max duration

4 weeks

WITCH HAZEL WATER / DISTILLATE (Aqua Hamamelidis): The common commercial witch hazel water is not a tea infusion but an aqueous distillate of fresh witch hazel twigs (with leaves and bark), typically adjusted to 14 % v/v ethanol. Contains only small amounts of tannins (they do not distil over), but essential oils and other volatile constituents. Apply with a cotton pad or compress, dabbing onto the skin several times daily. Widely used in folk and cosmetic practice for soothing irritated or reddened skin after shaving, insect stings and minor skin irritations. The EMA monograph does not cover the distillate — it is a folk/cosmetic rather than classical phytotherapeutic preparation.

Liquid amount

5–10 ml

Doses per day

3×

Max duration

4 weeks