Witch Hazel Benefits, Uses, Side Effects According to Ayurveda

Metabolic Nature of Witch Hazel

See a complete list of all biocharacteristics.

METABOLIC NATURE

Metabolic Nature

Ayurveda assesses metabolic imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (gunas). Aggravating them weakens your body and causes imbalance. By knowing which biocharacteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct metabolic imbalances before you get sick. Every biocharacteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold). You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite biocharacteristic.
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CLEAR

ABOUT CLEAR BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Clear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests ama.

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COLD

ABOUT COLD BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold refers to anything that reduces body temperature, metabolism, and blood flow.

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DRY

ABOUT DRY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Dry is identified by lack of moisture, lack of fat, or anything that causes diuresis.

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TASTES

The 6 Tastes

Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food. Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body. Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food. Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods. Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion. Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste. One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes. The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below?
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ASTRINGENT

ABOUT ASTRINGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Astringency is characterized by constriction, drawing together, or drying.

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SOUR

ABOUT SOUR BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Sour refers to anything fermented or acidic.

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DOSHAS

The Three Doshas / Body Types

Ayurveda is a metabolic theory of medicine that explains individual health, tendencies, and disease patterns through the concept of doshas, which can be understood as your metabolic patterns and tendencies.
Each dosha reflects a distinct metabolic nature and describes strengths & weaknesses in bodily function, and how these affect energy levels, digestion, susceptibility to disease, and many other tendencies.
Your metabolic nature not only affects your physical characteristics, but also influences your mental thought patterns, confidence, and enthusiasm.
Ayurveda balances these metabolic strengths & weaknesses to support your body's vitality and prevent recurrent disease cycles. This support is a critical aid, especially in chronic or incurable disease conditions.
The 3 metabolic body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha).
Through dosha, Ayurveda empowers people to identify metabolic imbalances early, break repetitive patterns of disease, and cultivate habits that support long-term vitality and well-being.
Ultimately, these metabolic patterns also provide a framework for understanding yourself, including body, mind, and spiritual tendencies.
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PACIFIES

AGGRAVATES

GREEK MEDICINE / TEMPERAMENTS

The Four Temperaments / Humors

Ayurveda & Greek Medicine were the dominant form of medicine along the Silk Road from England to China and South Asia. They work by assessing your metabolic type, patterns, and nature. Greek medicine recognizes 4 metabolic temperaments, Melancholic, Choleric, Sanguine, and Phlegmatic.
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PACIFIES

CHOLERIC

ABOUT CHOLERIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Has a hot and dry metabolic nature. Enthusiastic, vibrant and bright. In excess burns up fluids and ojas, irritable. Corresponds to high bilirubin in the blood that irritates and heats up the body and liver.

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PHLEGMATIC

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

A Phlegmatic has a cold and wet metabolic nature. The coldness implies a slow metabolism, the moisture that you are well-nourished. Phlegmatics tend towards sluggishness and thickened fluids, including mucus.

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SANGUINE

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

A hot and oily nature with a moderate metabolism and a well nourished body makes Sanguine individuals vigorous, vivacious, outgoing and generous, and prone to impulsivity and self indulgence. Bullish and intense when out of balance.

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AGGRAVATES

MELANCHOLIC

ABOUT MELANCHOLIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold and dry with a slow, variable or erratic metabolism. Colicky, tense. Withdrawn, pensive, anxious, and hesitant. Analytical, intelligent, detail oriented and creative. Prone to ojas depletion, dehydration, an overactive nervous system, and depression.

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Other

Subtaste:

Aromatic

AROMATIC

Herbs or spices with volatile essential oils that present strong aromas. Aromatic oils shock, refresh and numb tissue, with the end result of relaxing, opening and clearing stagnant fluids in tissues.

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Moves Energy:

Upward

UPWARD

Upward-moving substances (Urdvha Gati Marga) include anything stimulating or activating, or that move upward in the body.

SEE ALL 'UPWARD' FOODS / HERBS

Tissue (dhatu):

Blood Plasma Lymph

BLOOD-PLASMA-LYMPH

Plasma (Rasa Dhatu) includes plasma, white blood cells, and lymph.

SEE ALL 'BLOOD-PLASMA-LYMPH' FOODS / HERBS

Red Blood

RED-BLOOD

Red blood (Rakta Dhatu) includes red blood cells and blood vessels.

SEE ALL 'RED-BLOOD' FOODS / HERBS

Affinity:

Skin Care

SKIN-CARE

Includes skin care, and anything that nourishes epithelial membranes (of digestive, respiratory, urinary tract, blood vessels, etc).

SEE ALL 'SKIN-CARE' FOODS / HERBS

Family:

Hamamelidaceae

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Witch Hazel
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

(see all)

Bowel Health:

Relieves Burning

RELIEVES-BURNING

Herbs that soothe a burn or reduce an internal burning sensation, such as aloe vera.

SEE ALL 'RELIEVES-BURNING' FOODS / HERBS

Mind, Stress & Sleep:

Analgesic

ANALGESIC

Pain reliever, reduces pain without eliminating sensation. Also known as anodyne.

SEE ALL 'ANALGESIC' FOODS / HERBS

Skin Care & Beauty:

Refreshes Skin

REFRESHES-SKIN

Flushes the lymphatic system to cool, awaken, and revive the skin.

SEE ALL 'REFRESHES-SKIN' FOODS / HERBS

Vulnerary

VULNERARY

An herb used for the treatment of wounds (antiulcer, connective tissue tonic).

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Immune System:

Anti Inflammatory

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

Reduces inflammation in the body. Different herbs and carriers target different body systems.

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Antibacterial

ANTIBACTERIAL

Herbs that kill bacteria or slow their growth.

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Antifungal

ANTIFUNGAL

Herbs that destroy fungus.

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Antiseptic

ANTISEPTIC

Capable of preventing infection by inhibiting the growth of microorganisms. Helpful in infections and for those with weak immune systems.

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Heart & Circulation:

Hemostatic

STRONG HEMOSTATIC

An herb that stops bleeding.

SEE ALL 'HEMOSTATIC' FOODS / HERBS

Antioxidant

ANTIOXIDANT

An antioxidant is a molecule that inhibits oxidation. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that can produce free radicals that lead to a chain reaction causing damage or death to cells. Antioxidants terminate these oxidation reactions.

SEE ALL 'ANTIOXIDANT' FOODS / HERBS

Refrigerant

REFRIGERANT

An herb or substance that strongly cools the body. Can be helpful in cases of heat conditions.

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Styptic

STYPTIC

A herb that contracts tissue or blood vessels. Generally styptics are astringent. They are often used topically as a hemostatic to stop bleeding, or to reduce secretions.

SEE ALL 'STYPTIC' FOODS / HERBS

Vessel Tonic

VESSEL-TONIC

An herb that improves the tone and integrity of blood vessel walls. This is helpful in easy bruising.

SEE ALL 'VESSEL-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Reproductive Health:

Uterine Tonic

UTERINE-TONIC

An herb that tonifies and strengthens the uterus. Helpful for menstrual difficulties and fertility. Often herbs that increase ojas, but also circulation to reproductive system.

SEE ALL 'UTERINE-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Other:

Anti Aging

Constituents:

Flavonoids

STRONG FLAVONOIDS

Flavonoids are a colorful type of polyphenol. As all polyphenols, they have a strong antioxidant effect. Many flavonoids have an anti-inflammatory, and/or antiallergen effect.

SEE ALL 'FLAVONOIDS' FOODS / HERBS

, Tannins,

Hydrolysable Tannins

HYDROLYSABLE-TANNINS

Do not use internally - breaks down to caustic, hepatotoxic elements in the body.

SEE ALL 'HYDROLYSABLE-TANNINS' FOODS / HERBS

Toxicity: Moderate - Not for long term use.

Foods with a Similar Nature to Witch Hazel

Hibiscus

Hibiscus has these Actions in Common
Anti-inflammatory, Refrigerant, Vulnerary, Antioxidant, Relieves-burning, Hemostatic, Styptic
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Rose Petals

Rose Petals has these Actions in Common
Antiseptic, Styptic, Hemostatic, Uterine-tonic, Anti-inflammatory, Refrigerant
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Turmeric Root (Fresh)

Turmeric Root (Fresh) has these Actions in Common
Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Vulnerary, Analgesic, Antifungal
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Turmeric

Turmeric has these Actions in Common
Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Vulnerary, Analgesic, Antifungal
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Rose Water

Rose Water has these Actions in Common
Relieves-burning, Hemostatic, Styptic, Refrigerant, Anti-inflammatory
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Cranberry

Cranberry has these Actions in Common
Antioxidant, Styptic, Hemostatic, Anti-inflammatory, Refrigerant
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Pomegranate

Pomegranate has these Actions in Common
Antioxidant, Styptic, Hemostatic, Anti-inflammatory, Refrigerant
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Aloe Vera Juice / Gel

Aloe Vera Juice / Gel has these Actions in Common
Antibacterial, Vulnerary, Antifungal, Anti-inflammatory, Refreshes-skin
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Poppy Seed

Poppy Seed has these Actions in Common
Antioxidant, Styptic, Hemostatic, Analgesic, Relieves-burning
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Cassava Root / Yuca

Cassava Root / Yuca has these Actions in Common
Refrigerant, Anti-inflammatory, Relieves-burning, Antioxidant, Vulnerary
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Cinnamon

Cinnamon has these Actions in Common
Antibacterial, Styptic, Antifungal, Analgesic, Hemostatic
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Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Witch Hazel

Arjuna

Arjuna has these Actions in Common
Refrigerant, Styptic, Vessel-tonic, Vulnerary, Anti-inflammatory, Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Hemostatic
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Goldenseal

Goldenseal has these Actions in Common
Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antiseptic, Hemostatic, Refrigerant, Vessel-tonic, Vulnerary, Anti-inflammatory
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Yarrow

Yarrow has these Actions in Common
Anti-inflammatory, Antifungal, Antiseptic, Hemostatic, Styptic, Vessel-tonic, Vulnerary, Analgesic
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Calendula, Marigold

Calendula, Marigold has these Actions in Common
Antifungal, Antiseptic, Hemostatic, Styptic, Vulnerary, Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory
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Cornsilk

Cornsilk has these Actions in Common
Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory, Antiseptic, Hemostatic, Refrigerant, Vulnerary
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Echinacea

Echinacea has these Actions in Common
Antiseptic, Refrigerant, Vulnerary, Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory, Antibacterial
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Neem Leaf

Neem Leaf has these Actions in Common
Vulnerary, Anti-inflammatory, Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antiseptic, Refrigerant
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Ginkgo

Ginkgo has these Actions in Common
Antifungal, Antioxidant, Vessel-tonic, Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory, Antibacterial
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Licorice Ghee (9oz)

Licorice Ghee (9oz) has these Actions in Common
Relieves-burning, Vulnerary, Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory, Antibacterial, Refrigerant
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Licorice Root (Yastimadhu)

Licorice Root (Yastimadhu) has these Actions in Common
Refrigerant, Relieves-burning, Vulnerary, Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory, Antibacterial
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Joyful Belly is a recognized college of biocharacteristics medicine.

College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

AYURVEDIC HERB SUPPLEMENTS

Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)

Table of Contents

How Does This Ayurvedic Herb Supplement Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Images of Witch Hazel

Metabolic Nature of Witch Hazel

Metabolic Nature

ABOUT CLEAR BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT COLD BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT DRY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

The 6 Tastes

ABOUT ASTRINGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT SOUR BIOCHARACTERISTIC

The Three Doshas / Body Types

The Four Temperaments / Humors

ABOUT CHOLERIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT MELANCHOLIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Other

AROMATIC

UPWARD

BLOOD-PLASMA-LYMPH

RED-BLOOD

SKIN-CARE

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Witch Hazel Experiences are Personal Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

RELIEVES-BURNING

ANALGESIC

REFRESHES-SKIN

VULNERARY

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

ANTIBACTERIAL

ANTIFUNGAL

ANTISEPTIC

STRONG HEMOSTATIC

ANTIOXIDANT

REFRIGERANT

STYPTIC

VESSEL-TONIC

UTERINE-TONIC

STRONG FLAVONOIDS

HYDROLYSABLE-TANNINS

Foods with a Similar Nature to Witch Hazel

Hibiscus has these Actions in Common

Rose Petals has these Actions in Common

Turmeric Root (Fresh) has these Actions in Common

Turmeric has these Actions in Common

Rose Water has these Actions in Common

Cranberry has these Actions in Common

Pomegranate has these Actions in Common

Aloe Vera Juice / Gel has these Actions in Common

Poppy Seed has these Actions in Common

Cassava Root / Yuca has these Actions in Common

Cinnamon has these Actions in Common

Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Witch Hazel

Arjuna has these Actions in Common

Goldenseal has these Actions in Common

Yarrow has these Actions in Common

Calendula, Marigold has these Actions in Common

Cornsilk has these Actions in Common

Echinacea has these Actions in Common

Neem Leaf has these Actions in Common

Ginkgo has these Actions in Common

Licorice Ghee (9oz) has these Actions in Common

Licorice Root (Yastimadhu) has these Actions in Common

Guidelines - Preparation & Dose

TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR THESE SYMPTOMS

Skin Care

Heart, Blood & Circulation

Reproductive-Health

Digestion

Bowel, Poop Elimination

CONTRAINDICATED FOR THESE SYMPTOMS

Herb Drug Interaction Risk

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Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Witch Hazel
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

CONTRAINDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS