Boil a few pieces of dried stem in water for about fifteen minutes, then let steep off the heat before straining. Once lukewarm, soak a clean compress and apply it to the affected area. Dosage should be validated with a healthcare professional or a recognized pharmacopoeia before use.
Traditional distilled water is obtained by distilling fresh branches; it is dabbed directly onto the skin using a cotton pad. This preparation requires specific equipment and is more commonly found ready-to-use in herbal shops. Dosage should be validated with a healthcare professional or a recognized pharmacopoeia before use.
The fruits, less commonly used than the bark, were sometimes crushed and then macerated in cold water for several hours before filtering, for external use similar to stem preparations. As this use is poorly documented, it is recommended to seek advice from an herbalist before any use. Dosage should be validated with a healthcare professional or a recognized pharmacopoeia before use.
Witch hazel grows naturally in the humid undergrowth of eastern North America; in France, it is found cultivated in certain gardens and especially in the form of distilled water or dried bark in herbal shops.