Practical
Plants

Hamamelis virginiana

Witch Hazel

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Hamamelis genus in the family Hamamelidaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
slow
Height
5 m
Spread
5 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - raw or cooked[18]. An oily texture[24][2][9][15]. The seeds are about the size of a barley grain and have a thick bony coat[12]. The reports of edibility must be treated with some suspicion, they all seem to stem from one questionable report in the 'Medical Flora' of Refinesque[12]. A refreshing tea is made from the leaves and twigs[2][3][9][23].

Plant part
Seed
Product or use
Tea

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Witch hazel bark is a traditional herb of the North American Indians who used it to heal wounds, treat tumours, eye problems etc[22]. A very astringent herb, it is commonly used in the West and is widely available from both herbalists and chemists[16]. It is an important ingredient of proprietary eye drops, skin creams, ointments and skin tonics[20]. It is widely used as an external application to bruises, sore muscles, varicose veins, haemorrhoids, sore nipples, inflammations etc[20]. The bark is astringent, haemostatic, sedative and tonic[24][6][14][7][8][16]. Tannins in the bark are believed to be responsible for its astringent and haemostatic properties[16]. Bottled witch hazel water is a steam distillate that does not contain the tannins from the shrub[16], this is less effective in its action than a tincture[20]. The bark is used internally in the treatment of diarrhoea, colitis, dysentery, haemorrhoids, vaginal discharge, excessive menstruation, internal bleeding and prolapsed organs[20]. Branches and twigs are harvested for the bark in the spring[20]. An infusion of the leaves is used to reduce inflammations, treat piles, internal haemorrhages and eye inflammations[15]. The leaves are harvested in the summer and can be dried for later use[20]. A homeopathic remedy is made from fresh bark[18]. It is used in the treatment of nosebleeds, piles and varicose veins[18].

Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Haemostatic
Product or use
Homeopathy
Product or use
Sedative
Product or use
Tonic

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Used as a rootstock for the ornamental species in this genus[10]. The plant is very rich in tannin[27]. It is used cosmetically as an ingredient in almost any preparation made to relieve capillary weaknesses[27]. The stems have been used for water divining[23]. Wood - heavy, hard, very close grained[30]. It weighs 43lb per cubic foot[19]. The trees are too small to be a useful lumber source[17].

Product or use
Cosmetic
Product or use
Tannin
Product or use
Wood

Environment

Range
Eastern N. America - Nova Scotia to Wisconsin and south to Texas and N. Florida.
Habitat
Edges of dry or moist woods, in rich soil and on the rocky banks of streams[25][30]. The best specimens are found in deep rich soils[17].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - this can be very slow to germinate. It is best to harvest the seed 'green' (as soon as it is mature but before it has dried on the plant) around the end of August and sow it immediately in a cold frame[29][31]. It may still take 18 months to germinate[13] but will normally be quicker than stored seed which will require 2 months warm stratification then 1 month cold followed by another 2 weeks warm and then a further 4 months cold stratification[4]. Scarification may also improve germination of stored seed[29]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle. Overwinter them in a greenhouse for their first winter and plant out in late spring[28]. Layering in early spring or autumn[28][13]. Takes 12 months. Good percentage[28]. Softwood cuttings, summer in a frame[13].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a moist sandy loam[6][5] in a sunny position[1], though it tolerates some shade[6]. Prefers a rich well-drained soil[1]. Dislikes dry limy soils but will succeed in a calcareous soil if it is moist[5]. Prefers a position sheltered from cold drying winds in a neutral to slightly acid soil[13]. A very hardy plant tolerating temperatures down to about -35°c[11]. Plants seldom produce seeds in Britain[24]. Witch hazel is a widely used medicinal herb. The bark is harvested commercially from the wild in N. America[26]. The twigs have been used in the past as dowsing rods for water divining[17]. A slow growing shrub, it takes about 6 years to flower from seed[13]. The flowers have a soft sweet perfume[21]. This species is notably susceptible to honey fungus[13].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Kavasch. B. Native Harvests. Vintage Books 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-394-72811-4

    ↩1↩2

  3. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩

  4. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

    ↩

  5. ? The Plantsman. Vol. 4. 1982 - 1983. Royal Horticultural Society 1982-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  6. Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-87857-262-7

    ↩1↩2↩3

  7. Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.

    ↩

  8. Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press 1952-00-00

    ↩

  9. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩1↩2

  10. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩

  11. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2

    ↩

  12. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩1↩2

  13. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  14. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩

  15. Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6

    ↩1↩2

  16. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  17. Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. 1980-00-00 ISBN 0442238622

    ↩1↩2↩3

  18. Castro. M. The Complete Homeopathy Handbook. Macmillan. London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-333-55581-3

    ↩1↩2↩3

  19. Britton. N. L. Brown. A. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada Dover Publications. New York. 1970-00-00 ISBN 0-486-22642-5

    ↩

  20. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  21. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩

  22. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩

  23. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2

  24. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  25. Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00

    ↩

  26. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

  27. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2

  28. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  29. McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-901361-21-6

    ↩1↩2

  30. Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. 1965-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20278-X

    ↩1↩2

  31. Gordon. A. G. and Rowe. D. C. f. Seed Manual for Ornamental Trees and Shrubs.

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