College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

 

AYURVEDIC HERB SUPPLEMENTS

Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)

Astringent and Anti-Bacterial, Witch Hazel Tincture is excellent for infections, skin issues, and to stop bleeding.

How Does This Ayurvedic Herb Supplement Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Use Witch Hazel Tincture as you would most astringent herbs. It's ability to tighten tissues and heal wounds, combined with anti-bacterial properties means it can be used for internal and external bleeding, cleaning and soothing bruises, binds stools to stop diarrhea, relieving the pain of hemorrhoids by restoring tone to swollen tissue.

Witch Hazel is a painkiller and antiseptic that will help to kill bacteria and is used as an effective gargle for sore throats and to keep wounds clean.

Caution - moderate toxicity. Do not use internally. Containas hydrolysable tannins which break down to caustic, hepatotoxic elements in the body.
Ayurveda Witch Hazel Fruit Large

Ayurveda Witch Hazel Flower Large

Ayurveda Witch Hazel Leaf Large

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.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CLEAR

COLD

ABOUT COLD BIOCHARACTERISTIC

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

LEARN MORE ABOUT COLD

DRY

ABOUT DRY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

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

LEARN MORE ABOUT DRY

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.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ASTRINGENT

SOUR

ABOUT SOUR BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Sour refers to anything fermented or acidic.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SOUR

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
Kapha pacifying Pitta pacifying
AGGRAVATES
Vata aggravating

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.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CHOLERIC

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.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PHLEGMATIC

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.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SANGUINE

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.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MELANCHOLIC

Other

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.

SEE ALL 'AROMATIC' FOODS / HERBS

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

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

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

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)
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

Analgesic

ANALGESIC

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

SEE ALL 'ANALGESIC' FOODS / HERBS

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).

SEE ALL 'VULNERARY' FOODS / HERBS

Anti Inflammatory

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

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

SEE ALL 'ANTI-INFLAMMATORY' FOODS / HERBS

,
Antibacterial

ANTIBACTERIAL

Herbs that kill bacteria or slow their growth.

SEE ALL 'ANTIBACTERIAL' FOODS / HERBS

,
Antifungal

ANTIFUNGAL

Herbs that destroy fungus.

SEE ALL 'ANTIFUNGAL' FOODS / HERBS

,
Antiseptic

ANTISEPTIC

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

SEE ALL 'ANTISEPTIC' FOODS / HERBS

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.

SEE ALL 'REFRIGERANT' FOODS / HERBS

,
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

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

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

    LEARN MORE

  • Rose Petals

    Rose Petals has these Actions in Common

    Antiseptic, Styptic, Hemostatic, Uterine-tonic, Anti-inflammatory, Refrigerant

    LEARN MORE

  • Turmeric Root (Fresh)

    Turmeric Root (Fresh) has these Actions in Common

    Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Vulnerary, Analgesic, Antifungal

    LEARN MORE

  • Turmeric

    Turmeric has these Actions in Common

    Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Vulnerary, Analgesic, Antifungal

    LEARN MORE

  • Rose Water

    Rose Water has these Actions in Common

    Relieves-burning, Hemostatic, Styptic, Refrigerant, Anti-inflammatory

    LEARN MORE

  • Cranberry

    Cranberry has these Actions in Common

    Antioxidant, Styptic, Hemostatic, Anti-inflammatory, Refrigerant

    LEARN MORE

  • Pomegranate

    Pomegranate has these Actions in Common

    Antioxidant, Styptic, Hemostatic, Anti-inflammatory, Refrigerant

    LEARN MORE

  • Aloe Vera Juice / Gel

    Aloe Vera Juice / Gel has these Actions in Common

    Antibacterial, Vulnerary, Antifungal, Anti-inflammatory, Refreshes-skin

    LEARN MORE

  • Poppy Seed

    Poppy Seed has these Actions in Common

    Antioxidant, Styptic, Hemostatic, Analgesic, Relieves-burning

    LEARN MORE

  • Cassava Root / Yuca

    Cassava Root / Yuca has these Actions in Common

    Refrigerant, Anti-inflammatory, Relieves-burning, Antioxidant, Vulnerary

    LEARN MORE

  • Cinnamon

    Cinnamon has these Actions in Common

    Antibacterial, Styptic, Antifungal, Analgesic, Hemostatic

    LEARN MORE

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

    LEARN MORE

  • Goldenseal

    Goldenseal has these Actions in Common

    Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antiseptic, Hemostatic, Refrigerant, Vessel-tonic, Vulnerary, Anti-inflammatory

    LEARN MORE

  • Yarrow

    Yarrow has these Actions in Common

    Anti-inflammatory, Antifungal, Antiseptic, Hemostatic, Styptic, Vessel-tonic, Vulnerary, Analgesic

    LEARN MORE

  • Calendula, Marigold

    Calendula, Marigold has these Actions in Common

    Antifungal, Antiseptic, Hemostatic, Styptic, Vulnerary, Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory

    LEARN MORE

  • Cornsilk

    Cornsilk has these Actions in Common

    Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory, Antiseptic, Hemostatic, Refrigerant, Vulnerary

    LEARN MORE

  • Echinacea

    Echinacea has these Actions in Common

    Antiseptic, Refrigerant, Vulnerary, Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory, Antibacterial

    LEARN MORE

  • Neem Leaf

    Neem Leaf has these Actions in Common

    Vulnerary, Anti-inflammatory, Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antiseptic, Refrigerant

    LEARN MORE

  • Ginkgo

    Ginkgo has these Actions in Common

    Antifungal, Antioxidant, Vessel-tonic, Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory, Antibacterial

    LEARN MORE

  • Licorice Ghee (9oz)

    Licorice Ghee (9oz) has these Actions in Common

    Relieves-burning, Vulnerary, Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory, Antibacterial, Refrigerant

    LEARN MORE

  • Licorice Root (Yastimadhu)

    Licorice Root (Yastimadhu) has these Actions in Common

    Refrigerant, Relieves-burning, Vulnerary, Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory, Antibacterial

    LEARN MORE


Joyful Belly is a recognized college of biocharacteristics medicine.

Guidelines - Preparation & Dose

1 dropper full 2x/day or as directed by your practitioner.
See guidelines for tinctures?

TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Witch Hazel may be beneficial for these symptoms. The suitability of any herb supplement for a condition is highly dependent on the individual. Please see your doctor before using this herb supplement to treat a medical condition.

CONTRAINDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Witch Hazel may be harmful or contraindicated for these symptoms. Note this is not a complete list of all possible contraindications. Please see your doctor before using this herb supplement to treat a medical condition.

Herb Drug Interaction Risk

Here are some potential herb drug interactions with Witch Hazel. Please see your health care provider for more information.

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