Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Using Witch Hazel As An Anti Aging Cream

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 a native shrub found in America and Europe. Witch Hazel has many medicinal qualities that have seen it highly valued over the years and used in many different ways. In early days, it's branches and flowers were steamed and the broth mixed with alcohol then used for astringents or topical medication. Nowadays, it is an ingredient in many different things ranging from mouthwashes to anti aging creams and also anti wrinkle creams. It is an ingredient in many different hemorrhoid treatments today. It's a popular home remedy and skin care experimentalists claim that medicines made up of Witch Hazel work in anti aging of skin.

Witch Hazel is useful in anti-aging treatments, because it has been found to have capillary constricting properties that reduce inflammation, as well as topical antioxidant properties. It is a safe, and inexpensive home remedy on average witch hazel oil can be found on sale for under a couple dollars in the pharmacy area of most stores. It's use as an ingredient in many anti-aging creams and anti-wrinkle creams. It is usually in a more concentrated form and, because of this, promotes cell turnover as well as new cell moisturizing because the oil concentrate 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 alive around Connecticut and the region is one of the leading manufacturers of witch hazel extract. The bulk of harvesting is done in Northwestern Connecticut. Here, property owners harvest from the shrubs every few years, they re-branch and sell directly to distributors. From here, it is then sold for pharmaceutical uses.

Witch Hazel is an antioxidant, radiation protective and anti-inflammatory. It is also an approved astringent and external analgesic. It has internal medicinal benefits also. It's benefits speaks for themselves, so it is natural that it is an ingredient in anti-aging creams and anti wrinkle creams. - 15485

About the Author: