If you are very lucky to have access to witch hazel shrubs, here's a recipe to make your own astringent and avoid the drying alcohol found in many products.
The recipe is courtesy of Victoria Obrea at Bella Online.
Easy DIY witch hazel astringent
As Obrea explains, witch hazel can be applied directly to burns, bruises, insect bites, and aching muscles. As a part of a natural beauty regime, it can also be used to clean oily skin, remove make-up, or mixed with water for a relaxing footbath.
This must be stored in the refrigerator, where it will keep for three weeks. Apply the astringent with a cotton ball.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon witch hazel bark (from your own tree or buy it online or at your nearby health food store)
1 cup distilled water
Equipment
Saucepan (1 quart capacity)
Strainer
Glass storage jar
Directions
- Soak witch hazel bark in water for 1/2 hour, and then bring to a boil.
- Reduce to a simmer, covered, for 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat, let steep for another 10 minutes.
- Strain when cool and bottle. Keep refrigerated.
More Uses for Witch Hazel
Witch hazel bark is used for skin injuries, inflammation of the skin, locally inflamed swelling, hemorrhoids, and varicose veins.
Uses of witch hazel leaf include remedies for diarrhea and menstrual conditions.
As a cold compress witch hazel is said to help ease a headache.
A balm, made by blending one part bark extract with nine parts simple ointment, is soothing to sores and minor burns. After it cools, it can be applied directly or mixed into an ointment base such as petroleum jelly.
