Witch Hazel Leaf

(Hamamelis virginiana)

Hamamelis virginiana — Common Witch Hazel, American Witch Hazel, or Virginian Witch Hazel — is a deciduous large shrub or small tree of the family Hamamelidaceae native to eastern North America, where it grows in moist, well-drained woodland understories from Nova Scotia and Ontario south to Florida and Texas. Hamamelis virginiana is one of the most botanically distinctive native trees of the North American forest — it is the only tree native to the northeastern United States that blooms in late autumn and early winter, producing clusters of spidery, bright yellow flowers after its leaves have fallen, often while snow is on the ground. The common name “Witch Hazel” derives not from witchcraft but from the Middle English wiche (pliant, bendable) — a reference to the flexible branches historically used as divining rods. Hamamelis virginiana leaf has a long and well-documented history of use in North American botanical tradition — the leaves were used extensively by numerous Indigenous nations including the Mohegan, Potawatomi, Iroquois, Ojibwe, and Cherokee, and the leaf was adopted alongside the bark into early American and European herbal practice. The leaf and bark share many phytochemical constituents but differ in their relative concentrations — the leaf is generally lower in total tannins than the bark and higher in certain flavonoids, making it a somewhat milder astringent botanical. Witch hazel distillate (a steam distillation of the bark and twigs) has been an official USP/NF monograph ingredient and an FDA-regulated OTC drug ingredient for external use since 1990. Our Witch Hazel Leaf is the dried leaf of Hamamelis virginiana, offered as a botanical ingredient for herbal tea preparations and topical use.

Hamamelis virginiana leaf contains a well-documented phytochemical profile including hamamelitannin (a unique dimeric gallotannin found almost exclusively in Hamamelis species), gallotannins, ellagitannins (total tannin content typically 3–8% of dry weight — lower than the bark), gallic acid, ellagic acid, hamamelose, quercetin, kaempferol, myricetin, isoquercitrin, astragalin, rutin, hyperoside, catechins (including catechin and epicatechin), proanthocyanidins, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, saponins, resin, volatile oils (including eugenol, hexenol, alpha-ionone, and beta-ionone), vitamin C, calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, manganese, and zinc. Available in Cut & Sifted form.

Product Highlights

• Dried leaf of Hamamelis virginiana — Common Witch Hazel, one of the most botanically distinctive native trees of eastern North America
• The only tree native to the northeastern U.S. that blooms in late autumn and winter — producing bright yellow flowers after leaf drop, often in snow
• Among the most historically significant North American botanicals — used by Mohegan, Potawatomi, Iroquois, Ojibwe, and Cherokee peoples
• Witch hazel distillate is an FDA-regulated OTC drug ingredient for external use (21 CFR 347) — reflecting the plant’s long-standing recognition as a botanical of significance
• Contains hamamelitannin — a unique dimeric gallotannin found almost exclusively in Hamamelis species
• Leaf tannin content (3–8% dry weight) is milder than the bark — making it a somewhat gentler astringent botanical
• Rich in quercetin, kaempferol, rutin, hyperoside, gallic acid, ellagic acid, and proanthocyanidins
• Available in Cut & Sifted form (2 oz, 4 oz, 8 oz, 16 oz)

How to Use

Herbal Tea: Steep 1–2 teaspoons of dried witch hazel leaf in 8 oz of hot water for 10–15 minutes; strain. The flavor is mildly astringent and slightly bitter — more approachable than the bark decoction. Herbal Blends: Pairs well with complementary botanicals such as raspberry leaf, rose petals, yarrow, or lemon balm in custom herbal tea formulations. Tincture Base: Witch hazel leaf is a traditional tincture ingredient; steep in food-grade alcohol per standard tincture ratios. Topical Preparations: Prepare a strong infusion or decoction, cool completely, and apply externally as desired — witch hazel leaf has a long tradition of external use in North American botanical practice. Compress: Soak a clean cloth in a cooled witch hazel leaf infusion and apply externally as a traditional botanical compress.

Available in Cut & Sifted (2 oz, 4 oz, 8 oz, 16 oz).

Keep out of reach of children. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.