witch hazels
Shrubs yielding astringent
Witch hazels are deciduous shrubs or small trees native to North America and Asia, known for their spidery yellow or red flowers that bloom in late fall or winter when most plants are dormant.
The bark and leaves yield an astringent extract used in skincare products to soothe irritation and tighten pores: She dabbed witch hazel on the insect bite.
The "witch" likely derives from an old word meaning pliable, referring to the branches once used for divining rods.
- astringentTissue-contracting agent
- botanicalRelated to plants
- shrubSmall woody plant
- extractConcentrated derived substance
- folk medicineTraditional healing practices
old wives' tales · distillates · flavonoids · tonic · tannins · native shrubs · North American · wound healing · herbal · toner · skin care · clear skin · liquidambar · deciduous · divination · decoction · flowering shrubs · yellow flowers