Witch Hazel Extract 16 fl oz: C

Witch hazel extract is a steam distillate of the recently harvest twigs of the shrub, with about 14 percent alcohol added. Distilled Witch Hazel is the most widely used household astringent, useful in stemming both internal and external bleeding. It eases hemorrhoid pain, helps bruises to heal and reduces swelling inflammations. Internally, Witch Hazel helps control diarrhea. The 1997 Commission E on Phytotherapy and Herbal Substances of the German Federal Institute for Drugs recommends Witch hazel leaf for 'Minor injuries of skin, local inflammation of skin and mucous membranes. Hemorrhoids. Varicose veins.' 'The drug contains 3 - 8 percent tannin, mainly gallotannins. Other ingredients are flavonoids and essential oil.' 'Dosage: External: Water steam distillate (witch hazel water) undiluted or diluted 1:3 with water; For poultices, 20 - 30 percent in semi-solid preparations. Extract preparations: Semi-solid and liquid preparations, corresponding to 5 - 10 percent drug. Drug: Decoctions of 5 - 10 g of herb per cup (250 ml) of water for compresses and irrigations. Internal use (mucous membranes): Suppositories: 1 - 3 times daily, the amount of a preparation corresponding to 0.1 - 1 g drug to be applied 1 - 3 times a day. Other preparations: Several times daily, corresponding to 0.1 - 1 g drug in preparations, or witch hazel water undiluted or diluted with water. Actions: Astringent; Antiinflammatory; Locally hemostatic.' Grieve's classic 'A Modern Herbal': 'The properties of the leaves and bark are similar, astringent, tonic, sedative, valuable in checking internal and external haemorrhage, most efficacious in the treatment of piles, a good pain-killer for the same, useful for bruises and inflammatory swellings, also for diarrhoea, dysentery and mucous discharges.' 'It has long been used by the North American Indians as poultices for painful swellings and tumours.' 'The decoction has been utilized for incipient phthisis, gleet, ophthalmia, menorrhagia and the debilitated state resultingfrom abortion.' 'A tea made of the leaves or bark may be taken freely with advantage, being good for bleeding of the stomach and in complaints of the bowels, and an injection of this tea is excellent for inwardly bleeding piles, the relief being marvellous and the cure speedy.' 'An ointment made of 1 part fluid extract of bark to 9 parts simple ointment is also used as a local application, the concentration Hamamelin being also employed, mainly in the form of suppositories.' 'Witch Hazel has been supposed to owe its utility to an action on the muscular fibre of veins. The distilled extract from the fresh leaves and young twigs forms an excellent remedy for internal or external uses, being beneficial for bleeding from the lungs and nose, as well as from other internal organs. In the treatment of varicose veins, it should be applied on a lint bandage, which must be constantly kept moist: a pad of Witch Hazel applied to a burst v