Using Witch Hazel As An Anti Aging Cream

by Julie Samtsonn

Many Indian tribes used Witch Hazel as a medicinal treatment. It is one of the few medicinal treatments allowed by the Federal Drug Administration today, as a topical treatment. There are many other herbal extracts allowed as dietary supplements, but witch hazel is one of the few still allowed in topical treatments. It was widely used topically for hemorrhoids, insect bites and stings, skin ulcers, tumors, boils and other rashes, such as chiggers or poison ivy.

Witch Hazel is a native shrub found in America and Europe. Witch Hazel has many medicinal qualities that have seen it highly valued over the years and used in many different ways. In early days, it's branches and flowers were steamed and the broth mixed with alcohol then used for astringents or topical medication. Nowadays, it is an ingredient in many different things ranging from mouthwashes to anti aging creams and also anti wrinkle creams. It is an ingredient in many different hemorrhoid treatments today. It's a popular home remedy and skin care experimentalists claim that medicines made up of Witch Hazel work in anti aging of skin.

In the anti aging treatments, because it has been found to contain capillary constricting properties to reduce inflammation, and topical antioxidant properties, it is a safe, and affordable home remedy, as witch hazel oil can be purchased for under a couple dollars in the pharmacy section of most stores. It's use as an ingredient in the skin care line of anti aging creams and anti wrinkle creams, may be in a more concentrated form and thus promotes cell turnover and new cell moisturizing by using the oil concentrates to keep skin cells plump and hydrated.

In the 1840's, Theron Pond from Utica, NY, learned from the Oneida Indians, the medicinal properties of the witch hazel shrub. The shrubs are native in the New York and Connecticut area, and still supply much of the witch hazel today. After several years of studying with the Oneida Indian medicine men, Theron Pond was amazed at the healing powers and in conjunction with the Indians, decided to market the extract commercially under the name of Golden Treasure. After several moves by the company, company sales, and the death of Theron Pond, a manufacturing plant was established in Connecticut and the name was changed to "Pond's extract".

Witch Hazel production is still alive around Connecticut and the region is one of the leading manufacturers of witch hazel extract. The bulk of harvesting is done in Northwestern Connecticut. Here, property owners harvest from the shrubs every few years, they re-branch and sell directly to distributors. From here, it is then sold for pharmaceutical uses.

Witch Hazel has been confirmed as an antioxidant, radiation protective and anti-inflammatory. It is an approved astringent and external analgesic, and has internal medicinal uses as well. It is only natural that it is an ingredient in anti aging creams and anti wrinkle creams, as a proven treatment.

About the Author:

Julie Samtsonn loves to read and write about all things related to anti aging product on her site which has tons of info about best wrinkle cream.