Swabbing the area with a cotton pad soaked in witch hazel can ease the itching, redness, pain, and swelling that come with hemorrhoids, and may help stop minor bleeding.
Four Witch Hazel Uses for Skin and Scalp
Witch hazel's anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and astringent properties have made it a staple ingredient in cosmetic and topical products for generations, and the benefits don't require an expensive bottle. It's worth using carefully, though, since high concentrations can cause more irritation than they cure.
Soothe Hemorrhoid Symptoms
Help Manage Acne
As a common ingredient in skin toners, witch hazel's antimicrobial properties and ability to reduce oil and inflammation make it well suited for managing acne.
Calm Eczema and Skin Rashes
Paired with something soothing, witch hazel's astringent properties can help reduce the inflammation behind eczema and rashy patches, even though astringents can seem like an odd choice at first.
Calm an Itchy or Sensitive Scalp
Research published in the International Journal of Trichology found that a witch hazel-based shampoo and tonic helped reduce scalp irritation and sensitivity, including for people dealing with scalp irritation from minoxidil hair-loss treatments.
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