Using Witch Hazel As An Anti Aging Cream
Posted by Julie Samtsonn
For years, Indian tribes used Witch Hazel as a medicine. It is allowed by the Federal Drug Administration as a topical treatment. There are numerous other herbal remedies allowed as dietary supplements, but witch hazel is one of the few that are allowed in topical treatments. It has been used for things like hemorrhoids, insect bites and stings, skin ulcers, tumors, boils, rashes and even things like chiggers or poison ivy.
Witch Hazel, is native to America and Europe and its medicinal qualities have made it highly valued over the years. Some early treatments involved it’s branches and flowers being steamed and the results mixed with alcohol then used for astringents and topical medication. Nowadays, its uses vary greatly from mouthwashes (using distilled witch hazel) to anti-aging creams and anti wrinkle creams (using witch hazel oil). Some witch hazel formulas have been used by home remedy skin care products, which claim to work as a skin anti-aging process.
In the anti aging treatments, because it has been found to contain capillary constricting properties to reduce inflammation, and topical antioxidant properties, it is a safe, and affordable home remedy, as witch hazel oil can be purchased for under a couple dollars in the pharmacy section of most stores. It’s use as an ingredient in the skin care line of anti aging creams and anti wrinkle creams, may be in a more concentrated form and thus promotes cell turnover and new cell moisturizing by using the oil concentrates to keep skin cells plump and hydrated.
The Oneida Indians showed Theron Pond from Utica, NY, the medicinal uses of witch hazel circa 1840. Witch Hazel is native to New York and Connecticut and these regions still supply much of the witch hazel today. After many years studying with Oneida Indian medicine men, Theron Pond was astounded by the healing powers and decided to sell the extract using the name of Golden Treasure. The company moved location several times and after the death of Theron Pond, established in Connecticut using the name “Pond’s extract”.
Witch Hazel production is still common around Connecticut where it is one of the leading manufacturing areas dealing in Witch Hazel extract today. The harvesting still goes on in Northwestern Connecticut, land owners cut the Witch Hazel every few years, so that they can re-branch and sell to the many distributors, who then distill the product for pharmaceutical uses.
Witch Hazel has been confirmed as many things. An antioxidant, a radiation protective aa well as an anti-inflammatory. It has been approved as an astringent and external analgesic and has many internal medicinal uses. This is why it is an ingredient in anti aging creams and anti wrinkle creams.
Tags: Skin Care
Leave a Comment for Using Witch Hazel As An Anti Aging Cream