While Witch Hazel doesn’t have anything to do with witches, but inexpensive witch hazel has amazing healing properties that feel like magic!

It may seem hard to believe, then, that one of the most effective remedies in the drugstore sells for only a few dollars and it’s called witch hazel … and it has nothing to do with witches!

Here is a list of uses and why you should keep a bottle of witch hazel around:

1. Soothes razor burn. Because of its natural astringent properties, witch hazel is popularly used by both men and women as a soothing post-shave treatment. Just wet hands with witch hazel, rub together, and tap on affected skin like aftershave.
2. Treats skin irritations. Because of its drying and anti-itch properties, witch hazel can be used to soothe irritated skin caused by poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac.
3. Heals bruises. Witch hazel can help fade discoloration and speed up the healing process of bruises. Just apply to bruises with a cotton ball.
4. Treats acne. Witch hazel’s astringent properties help remove impurities from pores and keep skin clear. Apply after cleansing.
5. Soothes and heals eczema. Applying witch hazel to affected areas helps to treat the skin condition.
6. Treats varicose veins. Soak a soft cloth in witch hazel and lay over varicose veins to temporarily reduce swelling and pain.
7. Cools sunburn and soothes windburn. Witch hazel combined with aloe can soothe painful sunburn. The anti-inflammatory powers aid in healing sunburned and windburned skin. Just apply to affected areas with a cotton ball in a gentle dabbing motion.
8. Treats bug bites. Applying witch hazel with a cotton pad to insect bites helps reduce swelling, sting, and itch.