Hamamelis Virginiana or more commonly known as Witch Hazel is a flowering shrub that comes from the Hamamelidaceae family, Kingdom Plantae. The name Witch Hazel was derived from an old English word “wicce”, which means “pliant or bendable”. It is native to South America, but can also be found in some regions around Asia. The small tree can usually be found in moist soils and would flourish in cold weathers.
Characteristics:
-It is 7-9 m (30ft) in height.
-Leaves are alternate and has widely spaced marginal teeth that could expand up to 6 inches long.
-The foliage is normally dull green and sometimes light yellow.
-It sprouts, yellow, red or sometimes orange flowers that are normally two-valved and have elongated petals.
-The flowers eject seeds that could go up to 33 feet.
-It’s fruit bearing.
-Blooms could normally be seen between September to March.
Uses:
Witch Hazel is known for its many uses. Here are some examples on how you could maximize it.
Food
The fruit that this tree produces is edible when dried; it turns into nuts that taste like pistachios. It can be tossed in salads or eaten as plain snacks.
Cosmetics
Hamamelis Virginiana is a natural astringent. It has a large, dose of anti-inflammatory compound that could clean the outer layer of the skin. It is also rich in anti-oxidants and could normally be found most skin care products. It promotes cell reproduction and tissue rejuvenation.
Boiling the bark or the stem of this shrub and using the natural extract directly on the skin’s surface could help reduce swelling and get rid of unwanted blemishes. It could also lessen eye bags and heal bruises.
In the earlier times, people use this to treat skin-related ailments such as dermatitis, eczema and simple case of psoriasis. It is also good in treating poison Ivy rashes, blisters and sanitizing insect bites.
Herbal Medicine
Witch Hazel could also be taken orally. Boiling the dried stems and leaves of this tree would make Witch Hazel water. According to some recent studies, drinking this would help cure diarrhea, lower fever, and colitis.
The extract found in the shrub’s bark could also be used in stunting blood flow on open wounds and is also one of the main ingredients in anti-hemorrhoid drugs.
Does it help cure gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is a male disorder that is often characterized by the irregular development of the breast, making it look swollen and more pronounced. There two known causes of this condition. It could either be a side-effect of a severe illness or just plain hormonal imbalance.
Like what has already been discussed above, Witch Hazel has an anti-inflammatory property. Applying the extract found from the bark and the stem on your skin could significantly reduce the swelling and help tighten the skin along the chest area.
Though there are no records that could prove that Witch Hazel could cure Gynecomastia, you could always try. Opting for a more natural way of treating ailments is not wrong, but it should always be practiced with care.
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