{"id":19348,"date":"2019-03-01T01:10:56","date_gmt":"2019-03-01T06:10:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/paganpages.org\/content\/?p=20746"},"modified":"2019-02-28T12:23:36","modified_gmt":"2019-02-28T17:23:36","slug":"notes-from-the-apothecary-49","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/2019\/03\/01\/notes-from-the-apothecary-49\/","title":{"rendered":"Notes from the Apothecary"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Notes from the Apothecary: Witch Hazel<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\nWitch\nHazel is the name for six types of hazel-like flowering tree or\nshrub. Four are native to North America, with hamamelis virginiana\n<\/em>being the most commonly used. The hazel part of the name refers\nprimarily to the leaves, which are very similar to those of the\nHazel. The \u2018witch\u2019 part isn\u2019t as magical as we might hope,\nsadly. It comes from the Old English word wice<\/em> which means\nbendy or pliant, and presumably refers to the twigs. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\nKitchen Garden<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Witch\nhazel is grown either as a decorative plant or for its medicinal\nqualities. It has strange, curling yellow to orange flowers which\nbrighten up the winter and early spring. You might notice that\nflowers will appear while fruits are still present on the tree from\nthe previous season, something that can also occur with fruit trees\nsuch as apple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\nmedicinal witch hazel is generally made from the bark or leaves of\nthe tree. If you have a small shrub in your garden, it\u2019s better to\nuse the leaves if appropriate. Stripping the bark off a garden shrub\nis likely to kill it. Witch hazel can grow into a fifteen-foot high\ntree though at which point asking permission for a little of the bark\nis probably okay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\nApothecary<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Witch\nhazel has a position of pride as one of the only complementary herbal\nremedies that also has some FDA approval, although retailers and\nmanufacturers have to be careful about the claims they make about its\neffectiveness. Witch hazel contains flavonoids, tannins and a\nvolatile oil with astringent actions: it pulls flesh back together\n(somewhat) to stop bleeding. This is why it\u2019s so good for cuts and\ngrazes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Witch\nhazel is probably one of the first natural remedies I remember being\ngiven, with the possible exception of placing a dock leaf over a\nnettle sting. My parents would soak a cotton wool ball in witch hazel\nwater and place it over bruises, scraped knees; whatever the injury\nof the day was. Later in life, my friend recommended it for \u2018down\nthere\u2019 after my first child arrived, to help with the healing of\nthe wounds. Some in a maternity pad seemed to help, and was certainly\nsoothing, if nothing else. Obviously, always check with a doctor\nbefore self-administering any medication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Native\nAmericans have had a multitude of uses for witch hazel. The\nPotawatomi steamed the twigs during a sweat lodge to ease muscle\naches. The Osage used the bark for sores on the skin. The Iroquoi\nmade a tea which they used to ease the symptoms of dysentery, which\nmakes sense when you think about the high amount of tannin in the\nplant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s\nalso been used as a treatment for piles, with some treatments\ninvolving injecting the herbal tincture into the affected area. Don\u2019t\ntry this at home!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\nWitch\u2019s Kitchen<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s\nsome delightful folklore associated with witch hazel. It\u2019s worth\nbeing cautious that any folklore you find isn\u2019t actually referring\nto standard Hazel though. This is of particular note with European\nfolklore, as hazel is associated with wisdom and magic, but it\u2019s\nnot witch hazel, as witch hazel is native to North America and didn\u2019t\narrive in Europe until probably the 18th<\/sup> century. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Witch\nhazel twigs have been used for divination, again, like the common\nhazel. They are used for finding water or treasure, and as such, have\na place in any magical ritual or spell to do with finding things. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Witch\nhazel is also used as a catalyst for magic, to increase occult powers\nor a connection to the other-worldly. It\u2019s also associated with\nprotection from evil and negativity, and for mending hurts as well\ninside spirit and soul as well as the bumps and scrapes it heal\noutside the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Home\nand Hearth<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Witch\nhazel is a folk remedy for snake bites, and a modern remedy for\ninsect bites. As such, it can be said to \u2018take the sting out of\nthings.\u2019 Take this literal meaning and make it metaphysical, and\nuse the plant to take the sting out of something that is bothering\nyou or causing you heartache.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If\nyou are lucky enough to have access to the flowers, place some on\nyour altar or in your sacred space. If you can\u2019t get flowers, use\nsome store-bought witch hazel. Dap some on your palms (patch test if\nyou have never used it on your skin before, allergic reactions aren\u2019t\nfun!) and adopt a meditative pose with palms reaching towards the\nsky. Visualise the witch hazel soaking into your skin, coursing\nthrough your veins, gripping the source of your agony and carrying it\nto your lungs. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take a deep breath in through your nose, if you are able. Then breath out the hurt, breathe it all out. Imagine the witch hazel in your system like a friendly cleaner, taking all the toxic self-doubt, intrusive thoughts, anxiety, and depositing those feelings in your lungs aaah, a physical mist you can simply breathe out. You can use a candle or artificial light to help focus your mind, or you can simply close your eyes and let the power of your imagination connect you to the healing power of the witch hazel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\nNever Knew\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Due\nto its astringent properties, witch hazel can be used as a skin\ntoner, closing up pores and making the face seem smoother. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Images credits: Hamamelis Virginiana, public domain, and Hamamelis Virginiana<\/a> flowers by H. Zell, copyright 2009 and shared under this license.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

***<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

About\nthe Author:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mabh\nSavage<\/strong> is\na Pagan author, poet and musician, as well as a freelance journalist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She is the author of\u00a0<\/em>A Modern Celt: Seeking the Ancestors<\/em><\/a><\/strong>and\u00a0<\/em>Pagan Portals \u2013 Celtic Witchcraft: Modern Witchcraft Meets Celtic Ways<\/em><\/a><\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Modern Celt: Seeking the Ancestors on Amazon<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Pagan Portals – Celtic Witchcraft: Modern Witchcraft Meets Celtic Ways on Amazon<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Notes from the Apothecary: Witch Hazel Witch Hazel is the name for six types of hazel-like flowering tree or shrub. Four are native to North America, with hamamelis virginiana being the most commonly used. The hazel part of the name refers primarily to the leaves, which are very similar to those of the Hazel. The \u2018witch\u2019 part isn\u2019t as magical as we might hope, sadly. It comes from the Old English word wice which means bendy or pliant, and presumably refers to the twigs. The Kitchen Garden Witch hazel is grown either as a decorative plant or for its medicinal qualities. It has strange, curling yellow to orange flowers which brighten up the winter and early spring. You might notice that flowers will appear while fruits are still present on the tree from the previous season, something that can also occur with fruit trees such as apple. The medicinal witch hazel is generally made from the bark or leaves of the tree. If you have a small shrub in your garden, it\u2019s better to use the leaves if appropriate. Stripping the bark off a garden shrub is likely to kill it. Witch hazel can grow into a fifteen-foot high tree though at which point asking permission for a little of the bark is probably okay. The Apothecary Witch hazel has a position of pride as one of the only complementary herbal remedies that also has some FDA approval, although retailers and manufacturers have to be careful about the claims they make about its effectiveness. Witch hazel contains flavonoids, tannins and a volatile oil with astringent actions: it pulls flesh back together (somewhat) to stop bleeding. This is why it\u2019s so good for cuts and grazes. Witch hazel is probably one of the first natural remedies I remember being given, with the possible exception of placing a dock leaf over a nettle sting. My parents would soak a cotton wool ball in witch hazel water and place it over bruises, scraped knees; whatever the injury of the day was. Later in life, my friend recommended it for \u2018down there\u2019 after my first child arrived, to help with the healing of the wounds. Some in a maternity pad seemed to help, and was certainly soothing, if nothing else. Obviously, always check with a doctor before self-administering any medication. Native Americans have had a multitude of uses for witch hazel. The Potawatomi steamed the twigs during a sweat lodge to ease muscle aches. The Osage used the bark for sores on the skin. The Iroquoi made a tea which they used to ease the symptoms of dysentery, which makes sense when you think about the high amount of tannin in the plant. It\u2019s also been used as a treatment for piles, with some treatments involving injecting the herbal tincture into the affected area. Don\u2019t try this at home! The Witch\u2019s Kitchen There\u2019s some delightful folklore associated with witch hazel. It\u2019s worth being cautious that any folklore you find isn\u2019t actually referring to standard Hazel though. This is of particular note with European folklore, as hazel is associated with wisdom and magic, but it\u2019s not witch hazel, as witch hazel is native to North America and didn\u2019t arrive in Europe until probably the 18th century. Witch hazel twigs have been used for divination, again, like the common hazel. They are used for finding water or treasure, and as such, have a place in any magical ritual or spell to do with finding things. Witch hazel is also used as a catalyst for magic, to increase occult powers or a connection to the other-worldly. It\u2019s also associated with protection from evil and negativity, and for mending hurts as well inside spirit and soul as well as the bumps and scrapes it heal outside the body. Home and Hearth Witch hazel is a folk remedy for snake bites, and a modern remedy for insect bites. As such, it can be said to \u2018take the sting out of things.\u2019 Take this literal meaning and make it metaphysical, and use the plant to take the sting out of something that is bothering you or causing you heartache. If you are lucky enough to have access to the flowers, place some on your altar or in your sacred space. If you can\u2019t get flowers, use some store-bought witch hazel. Dap some on your palms (patch test if you have never used it on your skin before, allergic reactions aren\u2019t fun!) and adopt a meditative pose with palms reaching towards the sky. Visualise the witch hazel soaking into your skin, coursing through your veins, gripping the source of your agony and carrying it to your lungs. Take a deep breath in through your nose, if you are able. Then breath out the hurt, breathe it all out. Imagine the witch hazel in your system like a friendly cleaner, taking all the toxic self-doubt, intrusive thoughts, anxiety, and depositing those feelings in your lungs aaah, a physical mist you can simply breathe out. You can use a candle or artificial light to help focus your mind, or you can simply close your eyes and let the power of your imagination connect you to the healing power of the witch hazel. I Never Knew\u2026 Due to its astringent properties, witch hazel can be used as a skin toner, closing up pores and making the face seem smoother. Images credits: Hamamelis Virginiana, public domain, and Hamamelis Virginiana flowers by H. Zell, copyright 2009 and shared under this license. *** About the Author: Mabh Savage is a Pagan author, poet and musician, as well as a freelance journalist. She is the author of\u00a0A Modern Celt: Seeking the Ancestorsand\u00a0Pagan Portals \u2013 Celtic Witchcraft: Modern Witchcraft Meets Celtic Ways. A Modern Celt: Seeking the Ancestors on Amazon Pagan Portals – Celtic Witchcraft: Modern Witchcraft Meets Celtic Ways on Amazon<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":206,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-19348","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19348","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/206"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19348"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19348\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19348"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19348"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19348"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}