The Art of NATURE, The Art of SCIENCE
Common names | Witch Hazel
Scientific name | Hamamelis virginiana
Used part | Bark
Known active compounds | hamamelitannin, gallotannin, gallocatechin, proanthocyanidins
Potential benefits in cosmetics | anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-photoaging
Product name | Witch Hazel Bark-ANB
Plant Story
Hamamelis virginiana, commonly known as American witch-hazel, spotted alder, snapping hazel, or winter bloom, is a winter-flowering shrub native to eastern North America. The leaves, bark, and twigs have been used to treat various symptoms including skin irritation, burns, insect bites, sore throats, colds, and fevers. Native American tribes used the extract in the treatment of bleeding, swelling, bruises, wounds, sore muscles, insect bites, and skin rashes. It was also considered an astringent and purifier. Today, the topical use of witch hazel is known for the astringency associated with its high tannin content.
The main constituents of witch hazel bark are hamamelitannin, gallic acid, and catechins, which are responsible for anti-oxidant and astringent properties of its extracts. Its astringent properties are cleansing to the skin and minimizing the size of skin pores. When applied topically, witch hazel bark extract can reduce bacterial growth, while preventing inflammation and acne formation. A study on the aqueous ethanolic extract of witch hazel bark showed anti-inflammatory properties mainly due to proanthocyanidins. Witch hazel extract and its constituent, hamamelitannin showed superoxide scavenging activities, while hamamelitannin itself exhibited a protective activity on UVB damaged fibroblasts.