Can you make witch hazel at home?

Start with about a tablespoon of witch hazel bark in a cup of water. … Bring the water and bark to a simmer and gently cook for about 20-30 minutes. The volume will reduce by about half, and you’ll have roughly 1/2 cup of witch hazel extract after you filter the plant material.

How is witch hazel made?

Witch hazel is a plant. The leaf, bark, and twigs are used to make medicine. You may see a product called witch hazel water (Hamamelis water, distilled witch hazel extract). This is a liquid that is distilled from dried leaves, bark, and partially dormant twigs of witch hazel.

How do you make witch hazel for your skin?

Make It
  1. In saucepan, combine 4 oz witch hazel with 24 oz distilled water.
  2. Place on stove over low heat and cover. Cook on low so that the mixture stays warm, but never reaches a simmer.
  3. Cook for 1 hour, stirring a few times when you think of it.
  4. Strain through a cloth and allow to cool.

How do I make witch hazel toner?

Witch Hazel Toner Recipe
  1. ½ cup witch hazel extract (from the recipe above or buy it here)
  2. ¼ cup apple cider vinegar (make your own or buy it here)
  3. 10 drops frankincense essential oil.
  4. 5 drops tea tree essential oil.
  5. enough distilled water to make a total of 1 cup of toner (around ¼ cup)
  6. 8 oz. amber glass bottle with cap.

Is witch hazel made from alcohol?

Most witch hazel extracts are distilled or otherwise extracted using alcohol. … A common misconception is also that the witch hazel plant naturally contains alcohol, and that’s simply not the case. Its astringent properties come from tannins.

What is the active ingredient in witch hazel?

Tannins
Tannins and volatile oils are the primary active ingredients of witch hazel that contribute to its astringent benefits. The tannin content of witch hazel leaves is 8%, and in witch hazel bark ranges from 1–3%, as the medicine derived from the bark will yield a higher tannin concentration than that from leaves.

How do you make witch hazel Salve?

Ingredients
  1. ½ c. Coconut Oil.
  2. 1 Tbsp. Sweet Almond Oil.
  3. 2-3 Tbsp. Beeswax Pellets.
  4. 12 drops Lavender Essential Oil.
  5. 12 drops Tea Tree Oil.
  6. 12 drops Lemon Essential Oil.
  7. 1 Tbsp. Witch Hazel.

What is the difference between witch hazel and witch hazel extract?

Witch hazel extract is a wonderful ingredient for use in your cosmetic and medicinal preparations. It is gentle enough to be used alone, or it may be combined with other ingredients or herbs. Commercial witch hazel extracts usually contain more alcohol than actual witch hazel, and have only been distilled once.

What can I mix witch hazel with?

Best Essential Oils To Use With Witch Hazel
  • Lavender Oil (all purpose for face and skin)
  • Ylang Ylang Oil (body sprays, hair sprays)
  • Tea Tree Oil (acne, minor cuts, natural deodorant)
  • Peppermint Oil (cooling, hot flashes, sunburn, razor burn)
  • Lemongrass Oil (bug sprays, natural deodorant)

How do you make witch hazel without alcohol?

Water-Based Witch Hazel Extraction or “Decoction”

Completely cover the witch hazel with water (use distilled water if your tap water is heavily treated). Bring the contents to a boil. Then cover the pot, and reduce heat and simmer for at least half an hour. Keep the twigs covered with water.

How do you make witch hazel hydrosol?

  1. Ingredients. 1 tablespoon witch hazel bark. 1 cup distilled water.
  2. Equipment. 1 quart saucepan. Strainer. Glass storage jar.
  3. Procedure. Soak witch hazel bark in water for ½ hour, and then bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, covered, for 10-minutes. Remove from heat, let steep for another 10-minutes.

Why is witch hazel good for your skin?

Witch hazel is rich in tannins, a natural plant compound with powerful antioxidant properties that can help protect your skin against damage when applied topically. One animal study found that tannins can act as a barrier, preventing inflammation-causing substances from entering your skin cells ( 12 ).

How do you make witch hazel with vodka?

Ingredients
  1. ½ pound witch hazel bark (you can purchase witch hazel bark here)
  2. distilled water to cover 1-2 inches above bark.
  3. vodka or pure grain alcohol.

What can I use instead of witch hazel?

DIY toners by ingredient
  • Witch hazel. Witch hazel is an astringent that can calm: …
  • Aloe vera. Aloe vera brightens your skin and may help fight acne. …
  • Essential oils. Essential oils can add a great scent to DIY toners. …
  • Rosewater toner. …
  • Apple cider vinegar. …
  • Green tea. …
  • Cucumber witch hazel toner.

How do you germinate witch hazel seeds?

In order to get your witch hazel seeds to germinate, you must create environments that mimic the cold and hot temperature fluctuations that the seeds experience in the wild. Lightly cover fresh seeds in a container with soil and keep the temperature at 85 degrees fahrenheit for two months to mimic the summer heat.

Can you harvest witch hazel?

Harvesting Witch Hazel

Both can be gathered by cutting small, leaf-bearing branches from mature trees. … For thicker twigs or branches, you can strip the outer bark using a small knife. All parts can be used fresh or dried in baskets or on screens for later use.

Is rubbing alcohol and witch hazel the same thing?

For many reasons, our staff often recommends the alternative to rubbing alcohol, which is witch hazel. Witch hazel is a plant native to North America and has multiple medicinal uses. … The bark, twigs, and leaves of the plant are used to make a completely natural antiseptic.

What is a natural astringent?

Lemon has ascorbic acid that makes it act as a natural astringent that helps to shrink and constrict skin pores. It reduces excess oil secretion, redness and brightens your skin to get an even skin tone. All you need to do is to add lemon juice in water and use it on your face to see positive results.

Is alcohol free witch hazel better?

But to prevent your skin from drying out or becoming irritated, both dermatologists recommend using witch hazel that comes in an oily vehicle and is alcohol free. … Witch hazel is better suited towards oily, acne-prone skin types,” says Park.

Which is better witch hazel or hydrogen peroxide?

Since hydrogen peroxide is chemical based, it is unsafe for our skin. Therefore, the extract from witch hazel is a better substitute since it is plant based; thus safe.

How much alcohol is in witch hazel?

Witch Hazel is defined as the following: “Witch Hazel Extract (Witch Hazel) is a clear, colorless distillate prepared from recently cut and partially dried dormant twigs of Hamamelis virginiana Linné,” containing natural oils and 14% Alcohol.

Is witch hazel an antibacterial?

Witch hazel is often sourced for skincare solutions and topical treatments for pain. While it may be used in sanitizing products or hand sanitizers, witch hazel is not meant to be used as a disinfectant.