Tag Archives: astringent

Witch Hazel

Despite the spooky name, this tree has nothing to do with witches! The name comes from an Old English word meaning “pliant” because the flexible branches made good bows for archers. Witch hazel is native to most of North America — the only place the tree is hard to come by is in the far west. It tends to grow in moist areas and prefers light woods and rocky streams. The tree prefers partial shade and sandy or peaty soil. Native Americans made a tea from the leaves and bark of the witch hazel tree. The tea was used to … Continue reading →

Frugal Beauty: Witch Hazel Makes a Great Toner

My mother had beautiful, flawless skin. Wherever she went, she was always admired for this feature. Although I wasn’t lucky enough to inherit her skin, I did inherit her beauty secrets. One product that she used in her regular beauty routine was good old witch hazel. Witch hazel is one of those things that often gets overlooked in beauty. It doesn’t come in different colors; it doesn’t have fancy packaging, and you never see it advertised. But witch hazel has been around for a long time because it works. It can often be found in either the skin care section … Continue reading →