| CAS number | 469-32-9 |
| PUB number | 160687624 |
| Drugbank ID | DB11111 |
| Empirical formula | C20H20O14 |
| Molar mass (g·mol−1) | 484,364 |
| Physical state | solid |
| Density (g·cm−3) | 1,8 |
| Melting point (°C) | 317,41 |
| Boiling point (°C) | 941,7 |
Hamamelis virginiana is a plant native to North America. Its leaves and bark are used in pharmacy as medicinal substances and have wound healing and anti-inflammatory properties and are also very effective against microorganisms. The active ingredients are mainly tannins, which are present as tannins.
The chemical-physical properties relate to hamamelitannin, the main active ingredient of Hamamelis virginiana.
Hamamelis virginiana belongs to the witch hazel family (Hamamelidaceae). It grows up to 7 meters high. The leaves (Hamamelidis folium) of the witch hazel are mainly used as a medicinal substance. For this purpose they are dried and cut. The bark (Hamamelidis cortex) is also used as a medicinal substance. Extracts or tinctures can also be prepared from leaves and bark. For this, the active substances are dissolved out with a solvent, usually ethanol. In addition to these forms, there is also witch hazel water, which has essential oil as its main component, but no tannins, which means that it lacks many healing properties.
Preparations of witch hazel are often used in traditional folk medicine and help with minor inflammations of the skin and mucous membranes, varicose veins, venous stasis complaints, as well as hemorrhoids, burns and minor skin injuries. However, witch hazel can also be used simply for body care.
Witch hazel preparations are available in the form of suppositories, drops, extracts, tinctures, solutions and creams and are applied locally to the skin, ingested or, in the case of suppositories, administered rectally.
Always take Hamamelis virginiana preparations exactly as described in the package leaflet or exactly as agreed with your doctor.
Creams and solutions can be applied several times a day. Finished preparations such as suppositories, drops, and tinctures should be used as described in the package insert. For extracts, you can mix 5 g to 10 g of dried bark with 250 ml of water and then dilute that with water in a 1:3 ratio and apply as poultices.
The following side effects may occur:
There are no known interactions of Hamamelis virginiana preparations with other medicines.
Hamamelis virginiana must NOT be taken in the following cases:
Hamamelis virginiana should NOT be taken under 12 years of age, as there is not enough data.
There are no age restrictions when used on the skin .
In pregnancy & lactation preparations of Hamamelis virginiana can be used. When taking, that is, if you do not use the preparations on the skin, ask your doctor or read the package leaflet as a precaution.
Hamamelis virginiana was introduced to Europe as early as 1736. It is a deciduous shrub and can grow up to 7 meters high. It is similar in appearance to the Central European hazelnut. In autumn the leaves shine in a beautiful yellow. Fruits are in the form of capsules and contain two seeds each. The leaves of Hamamelis virginiana contain up to 8% tannins and about 0.5% essential oil. The bark consists of dried and crushed bark of twigs and stems and is between 1 and 3 cm wide and 1 to 2 mm thick. The bark also contains up to 8% tannins.
Thomas Hofko
Mag. pharm. Stefanie Lehenauer
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