…Hazel’s Medicinal Benefits: Just What Does Witch Hazel Do? So, you have your own witch hazel growing, or you have an ample stand you can wildcraft from and you are ready to make medicine. Just what will this witch hazel do? The witch hazel tree has been harvested from the wild and used for centuries as an astringent to soothe…
…come across over the years is that the witch hazel plant flowers near Samhain (Halloween), evidently from a witch’s spell. Well, which witch do you believe? The hazel part of witch hazel’s name is derived from the resemblance of its leaves to those of the hazelnut (Corylus americana) tree, both being broadly oval and scalloped. They are distantly related, but…
…The witch hazel family (Hamamelidaceae) contains some notable ornamentals, often planted for their winter or early spring blooms. Pictured below is the flower of witch alder (Fothergilla sp.), a small shrub native to the southeastern United States. – Fothergilla sp. – witch alder – Harvesting Witch Hazel The twigs and leaves of witch hazel can be gathered throughout the growing…
…tend to be inherently rich in medicine—from groundcover plants and understory herbs to overstory canopy trees. Ginseng (Panax ginseng, P. quinquefolius), goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), black cohosh (Actaea racemosa), hawthorn (Crataegus spp.), sassafras (Sassafras albidum), witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), and elderberry (Sambucus nigra, S. canadensis) are just a few of the herbs that can be cultivated within the forest and on…
…and witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana). Lavender infusion is sometimes used as a douche for vaginal yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis. Sage leaf (Salvia officinalis) and calendula (Calendula officinalis) are welcome additions to this tea. After herbal treatment for vaginal infections, insert two capsules of acidophilus low in the vaginal canal at night just before bed (so they will stay in…
…Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) Slippery elm (Ulmus rubra) Spruce (Picea spp.) Sweet fern (Comptonia peregrina) Willow (Salix spp.) Wild cherry (Prunus serotina) Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) Yellowroot (Xanthorhiza simplicissima) – *Can be invasive, so research its ability to spread in your region before planting. – For more details on sustainable foraging guidelines, please see our article here. JULIET BLANKESPOOR is…
…(Salvia officinalis), elderflower (Sambucus nigra var. canadensis), and comfrey (Symphytum officinale) infused in a base of vinegar or witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) extract. The fragrant elixir is an antioxidant and astringent toner—it is said to have kept the queen looking so sprightly that she attracted the attention of a suitor nearly 50 years her junior. Precautions: The herb may lower…
…tradition include: Black walnut (Juglans nigra) Cudweed (Gnaphalium) Devil’s walking stick (Aralia spinosa) Dogbane (Apocynum cannabinum) Dogwood (Cornus florida) Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) Holly (Ilex ) Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) Pine (Pinus) Sumac (Rhus) Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) Black cherry (Prunus serotina) Wax myrtle, or bayberry (Myrica cerifera) Witch-hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) Some plants introduced into North America from Eurasia that…
…in Europe. The Iroquois used a decoction as a protection against the personal physical manifestations of witchcraft. Hawthorn trees can often be found in young woods, hedges, and cow fields. Look for the thorns and little red fruits. The leaves are variable, but are often wedge shaped, with teeth and straight veins. Some hawthorns have slightly lobed leaves. The small…
…come from my ancestral homelands. These plants have evolved with and nourished my ancestors, and they tend to do the same for me in the present. There’s no doubt that we can still lead healthy lifestyles consuming and working with plants that don’t have this significance, but when we switch out lettuce and kale for callaloo (Amaranthus spp.) or potatoes…
