Omnia Sana · Plant Monograph
Witch Hazel
Hamamelis virginiana
This monograph compiles 2 documented constituents, 4 pharmacological actions, 8 traditional / indicated uses, supported by 16 cited sources, drawn directly from the Omnia Sana plant database.
Key Constituents
The principal astringent and anti-inflammatory constituents.
Tannins
Flavonoids, catechins, proanthocyanidins and phenolic acids[15]
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory constituents of the bark and leaf.
ProanthocyanidinsPhenolic acidsFlavonoidsCatechins
Pharmacological Actions
Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant (supports irritated/atopic skin); Relief of haemorrhoid symptoms (astringent and anti-inflammatory)
Astringent for skin irritation and minor inflammation of the skin and oral mucosa (tannins), applied topically; Relief of haemorrhoid symptoms (astringent and anti-inflammatory)
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
more plants for arthritis / joint pain →detailed sources →Vulnerary for minor wounds, bruises and insect bites
more plants for bruising →detailed sources →inferred from astringent action
more plants for diarrhoea →detailed sources →Relief of haemorrhoid symptoms (astringent and anti-inflammatory)
more plants for haemorrhoids →detailed sources →Astringent for skin irritation and minor inflammation of the skin and oral mucosa (tannins), applied topically
more plants for inflammation (general) →detailed sources →Astringent for skin irritation and minor inflammation of the skin and oral mucosa (tannins), applied topically
more plants for oral & throat health →detailed sources →Astringent for skin irritation and minor inflammation of the skin and oral mucosa (tannins), applied topically
more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →Vulnerary for minor wounds, bruises and insect bites
more plants for wounds →detailed sources →Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Safety note[16]Caution
For topical use. Do not apply to deep wounds, serious burns or severe rectal bleeding - these need medical care.
References
REF-0830, REF-0831, REF-0832, REF-2049, REF-2050, REF-2051, REF-2052, REF-2053, REF-2054, REF-2055, REF-2056, REF-2057, REF-2058References & Sources
- Skowrońska, W., Pawłowska, K.A., Obrębski, M., Piwowarski, J.P. et al (2025) 'Chemical composition, skin microbiota metabolism, antimicrobial potential and anti-inflammatory properties of witch hazel bark (Hamamelis virginiana L.)', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 353(Pt B), pp. 120433. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2025.120433 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2025.120433 - Piazza, S., Martinelli, G., Vrhovsek, U., Masuero, D. et al (2022) 'Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Acne Effects of Hamamelis virginiana Bark in Human Keratinocytes', Antioxidants (Basel), 11(6), pp. 1119. doi:10.3390/antiox11061119 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox11061119 - Janarthanam, V.A., Rajan, P.S.S., Panda, S.P., Panigrahy, U.P. et al (2025) 'Hamamelitannin from Hamamelis virginiana Attenuates Ethanol-Induced Oxidative and Inflammatory Responses in Danio rerio Larvae', Molecular Biotechnology, 68(5), pp. 2369-2385. doi:10.1007/s12033-025-01502-9 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12033-025-01502-9 - Piazza, S., Martinelli, G., Magnavacca, A., Fumagalli, M., Pozzoli, C., Terno, M., Canilli, L., Angarano, M., Maranta, N., Dell'Agli, M. and Sangiovanni, E (2022) 'Unveiling the Ability of Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana L.) Bark Extract to Impair Keratinocyte Inflammatory Cascade Typical of Atopic Eczema', International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(16), pp. 9279. doi:10.3390/ijms23169279 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23169279 - Amendola, I., Viegas, D.J., Freitas, E.T., Oliveira, J.R., Santos, J.G., Oliveira, F.E., Lagareiro Netto, A.A., Marcucci, M.C., Oliveira, L.D. and Back-Brito, G.N (2024) 'Hamamelis virginiana L. extract presents antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects, absence of cytotoxicity, anti-inflammatory action, and potential to fight infections through the nitric oxide production by macrophages', Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciencias, 96(1), pp. e20200031. doi:10.1590/0001-3765202320200031 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1590/0001-3765202320200031 - Habtemariam, S (2002) 'Hamamelitannin from Hamamelis virginiana inhibits the tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF)-induced endothelial cell death in vitro', Toxicon, 40(1), pp. 83-88. doi:10.1016/s0041-0101(01)00195-7 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0041-0101(01)00195-7 - Natella, F., Guantario, B., Ambra, R., Ranaldi, G., Intorre, F., Burki, C. and Canali, R (2021) 'Human Metabolites of Hamamelis virginiana (Extract) Modulate Fibroblast Extracellular Matrix Components in Response to UV-A Irradiation', Frontiers in Pharmacology, 12, pp. 747638. doi:10.3389/fphar.2021.747638 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2021.747638 - Dauer, A., Rimpler, H. and Hensel, A (2003) 'Polymeric proanthocyanidins from the bark of Hamamelis virginiana', Planta Medica, 69(1), pp. 89-91. doi:10.1055/s-2003-37022 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2003-37022 - Vennat, B., Pourrat, H., Pouget, M.P., Gross, D. and Pourrat, A (1988) 'Tannins from Hamamelis virginiana: identification of proanthocyanidins and hamamelitannin quantification in leaf, bark, and stem extracts', Planta Medica, 54(5), pp. 454-457. doi:10.1055/s-2006-962499 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2006-962499 - Duckstein, S.M., Lorenz, P. and Stintzing, F.C (2012) 'Conversion of phenolic constituents in aqueous Hamamelis virginiana leaf extracts during fermentation', Phytochemical Analysis, 23(6), pp. 588-597. doi:10.1002/pca.2359 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/pca.2359 - Sanchez-Tena, S., Fernandez-Cachon, M.L., Carreras, A., Mateos-Martin, M.L., Costoya, N., Moyer, M.P., Nunez, M.J., Torres, J.L. and Cascante, M (2012) 'Hamamelitannin from witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) displays specific cytotoxic activity against colon cancer cells', Journal of Natural Products, 75(1), pp. 26-33. doi:10.1021/np200426k Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1021/np200426k - Theisen, L.L., Erdelmeier, C.A.J., Spoden, G.A., Boukhallouk, F., Sausy, A., Florin, L. and Muller, C.P (2014) 'Tannins from Hamamelis virginiana bark extract: characterization and improvement of the antiviral efficacy against influenza A virus and human papillomavirus', PLoS One, 9(1), pp. e88062. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0088062 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0088062 - Cheesman, M.J., Alcorn, S.R., White, A. and Cock, I.E (2023) 'Hamamelis virginiana L. Leaf Extracts Inhibit the Growth of Antibiotic-Resistant Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Bacteria', Antibiotics, 12(7), pp. 1195. doi:10.3390/antibiotics12071195 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12071195 - European Medicines Agency (HMPC) (n.d.) 'European Union herbal monograph on Hamamelis virginiana L., cortex/folium/aqua (Hamamelidis cortex)'. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/hamamelidis-cortex Traditional / reference
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/hamamelidis-cortex - (2025) 'Hamamelis virginiana L. in Skin Care: A Review of Its Pharmacological Properties and Cosmetological Applications', Molecules. doi:10.3390/molecules30132744 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30132744 - Herbal Reality (n.d.) 'Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana): Benefits, Safety, Uses'. Available at: https://www.herbalreality.com/herb/witch-hazel/ Traditional / reference
https://www.herbalreality.com/herb/witch-hazel/
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