Witch Hazel
Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is a botanical supplied in several dried forms, including leaf powder, cut aerial parts and bark. It has a woody, tannic character and is used across skincare, wellness, botanical formulation and creative applications.
At Austral Herbs, we supply certified organic witch hazel leaf powder and cut aerial parts, as well as wildcrafted bark.
Key Takeaways
- Botanical Note: Hamamelis virginiana. A deciduous shrub in the Hamamelidaceae family, cultivated and wild-harvested for its leaves, aerial parts and bark.
- Native Range: Native to eastern North America, where witch hazel has a long history in traditional external preparations. The sourcing origin of individual products may vary.
- Available Variants: Certified organic leaf powder and cut aerial parts, plus wildcrafted cut bark.
- Traditional Use: Witch hazel leaf and bark have historically been used in external washes and compresses, while research has investigated their tannin-rich extracts. Evidence supporting specific skincare benefits remains limited.[1][2]
Witch Hazel Specifications & Characteristics
Available in both certified organic and wildcrafted qualities to suit your formulation needs.
What is Witch Hazel?
Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is a deciduous shrub native to eastern North America, growing to around five metres with broad, wavy-edged leaves and pale grey-brown bark. Once dried, the leaves can be milled into a soft green powder, while the bark can be cut into fibrous brown pieces that retain their natural structure.
Witch hazel has a documented history in North American herbal practice, where the dried leaf and bark were traditionally used in external washes and compresses. These applications are also recorded in Western herbal references.[2]
Our witch hazel is processed in a HACCP-certified facility, with different plant parts and formats suited to skincare, wellness and botanical applications.
Traditional Uses of Witch Hazel
Witch hazel leaf and bark have a long history in North American herbal practice, particularly in external preparations. Their naturally occurring tannins and other plant compounds have also attracted interest in modern skincare research.
Naturally Occurring Tannins and Their Astringent Properties
Witch hazel leaf and bark naturally contain tannins, which contribute to the plant’s distinctive astringent properties. This characteristic has made witch hazel a valued ingredient in traditional external preparations and an area of interest in modern skincare research. The composition of witch hazel extracts can vary depending on the plant part and extraction method, so findings from individual preparations may not apply to all formulations.[1]
Traditionally Used in Soothing External Preparations
Witch hazel has a long history in North American herbal practice, where the dried leaf and bark were prepared as external washes and compresses for skin-related concerns. Its astringent character contributed to its traditional association with soothing skincare preparations, a history also documented in Western herbal references. While these applications remain an important part of witch hazel’s botanical heritage, clinical evidence supporting specific skincare benefits remains limited and depends on the preparation studied.[1][2]
Antioxidant Compounds Investigated in Skincare Research
Witch hazel contains naturally occurring plant compounds, including hamamelitannin, that have attracted scientific interest for their antioxidant properties. Laboratory research has investigated how these compounds interact with processes associated with oxidative stress, while broader studies have examined the potential of witch hazel extracts in topical skincare applications. Please note that the above information does not establish equivalent benefits from using dried witch hazel leaf or bark in finished formulations.[1]
This information is provided for historical and traditional context only and does not constitute a therapeutic claim about our ingredients.
If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or managing a health condition, we recommend speaking with a qualified healthcare professional before adding Witch Hazel to your routine.
What Industries Can Witch Hazel Be Used In?
Witch hazel is used across several industries, with its naturally occurring tannins contributing to its astringent properties and its dried plant materials offering different textures for formulation and craft applications.
Beauty & Makeup
Cosmetic and skincare formulators may purchase dried witch hazel to prepare their own infusions in-house, rather than sourcing a finished liquid extract. The 4–10 mm bark cut is suited to preparations using coarser botanical material, while the finely milled leaf powder can be incorporated into dry cosmetic bases. The regulatory classification of finished products depends on their formulation, intended use and associated claims.
Creative
Craft makers or anyone in the creative industry can incorporate witch hazel bark into handmade paper, natural dye baths and mixed-media pieces. The coarse brown cut adds a fibrous texture to creative projects, making it a great option for those working with natural botanical materials.
Artists requiring a different botanical grade can explore our services or contact us to discuss current processing options and availability.
Home Décor
Dried-flower studios and interior designers can incorporate witch hazel bark into wreaths, potpourri bases and decorative arrangements. Its fibrous structure makes it a textural addition alongside larger dried flower heads, although its colour and appearance may change over time depending on storage conditions.
Wellness & Naturopathy
Witch hazel is used by naturopaths and herbal dispensaries preparing traditional external botanical formulations, subject to the intended product’s regulatory requirements. For those seeking certified organic ingredients, organic certification provides assurance that the relevant products meet applicable organic production and processing requirements, including restrictions on certain synthetic pesticides and fertilisers.
Our guide to how herbalists use dried botanicals explores the traditional applications of various herbs in wellness and naturopathic practices.
Shop Our Witch Hazel Collection
Our witch hazel range includes three distinct formats: certified organic leaf powder for finely milled formulations, certified organic cut aerial parts containing leaf and fine stem, and wildcrafted cut bark for applications requiring a coarser botanical texture.
Witch Hazel Leaf Powder Organic
This certified organic witch hazel leaf is milled into a soft green powder with an earthy scent. Its finely milled format suits cosmetic bases and dry botanical blends where powdered material is incorporated directly, subject to the requirements of the finished formulation.
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Witch Hazel Bark
Witch Hazel Bark is a wildcrafted variant supplied in a 4–10 mm cut, with a brown colour and visibly fibrous texture. It is traceable to source and processed in a HACCP-certified facility. Unlike our certified organic variants, the wildcrafted bark is not certified organic. Craft makers and cosmetic formulators may choose this variant for its visible bark structure and naturally occurring tannins.
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Witch Hazel Organic
Witch Hazel Organic is our certified organic aerial parts variant, supplied in a 4–10 mm cut containing both leaf and fine stem rather than separating the plant parts. This format may suit naturopathic dispensaries and botanical formulators looking for a combination of dried witch hazel leaves and fine stems.
Shop NowFrequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between witch hazel leaf, bark and aerial parts?
The main differences are the plant parts used, texture and cut size. Leaf powder is finely milled into a soft, fine consistency, while cut aerial parts contain a combination of leaves and fine stems. Bark has a firmer, more fibrous structure and is typically supplied in coarser pieces. The most suitable cut depends on the intended use, preferred texture and preparation method. Finer powders are generally suited to applications requiring a smooth consistency, while larger cuts retain more of the plant’s natural structure.
How should dried witch hazel be stored?
Store dried witch hazel in a sealed container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Exposure to light, heat and humidity can affect its colour, texture and quality over time. The finely milled powder has a greater exposed surface area than the cut variants, making appropriate storage particularly important.
Can witch hazel leaf and bark be used interchangeably in formulations?
Witch hazel leaf and bark come from the same plant but differ in structure and chemical composition. Their suitability depends on the intended formulation, preparation method and desired characteristics. Manufacturers should assess the relevant plant part and product specifications rather than assuming the variants will produce identical results.
What does dried witch hazel smell like?
Dried witch hazel has a mild, earthy and woody aroma, which can vary depending on the plant part. The bark generally has a more pronounced woody character, while the dried leaves have a softer, herbaceous scent.
Why Choose Austral Herbs for Witch Hazel?
Austral Herbs has supplied dried botanicals to Australian businesses since 1996, with witch hazel available as certified organic leaf powder and cut aerial parts alongside wildcrafted bark for skincare, wellness and botanical applications.
Our witch hazel is sourced through established supplier networks and processed in a HACCP-certified facility, with organic options certified by ACO. Different plant parts and formats give formulators a choice between finely milled leaf powder, cut aerial material and coarser bark.
Pairs Well With
Calendula
Calendula brings a mild floral character and bright colour that contrasts with witch hazel’s woody, tannic profile. The pairing is most relevant to botanical skincare and external formulations.
Chamomile
Chamomile adds a softer floral note alongside witch hazel’s more astringent botanical character. The two can suit topical botanical preparations where multiple dried flowers and leaves are combined.
Marshmallow Root
Marshmallow root contributes a softer, mucilage-rich botanical element that contrasts with witch hazel’s astringent character. The pairing may suit traditional external preparations where different botanical textures are desired.
Horsetail
Horsetail has a mild, hay-like profile that complements witch hazel bark and leaf. It can be used where a broader dried-botanical blend is wanted without adding a dominant aroma.
Nettle Leaf
Nettle leaf adds a deep green, herbaceous character to blends containing witch hazel. The pairing may suit traditional botanical rinses and external preparations.
References
- Investigating the Impact of a Novel Witch Hazel Formula. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10058640/
- Witch Hazel, Herbal monograph. https://www.herbalgram.org/resources/herbalgram/issues/116/table-of-contents/hg116-herbprofile/
- Hamamelitannin from witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22216935/
- Hamamelis virginiana L. in Skin Care: A Review of Its Properties. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12250947/
Novel Food Notice: Witch hazel products have been considered a novel food by the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), with guidance from the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods (ACNF). In addition, products containing novel food ingredients are treated as taxable supplies, meaning GST is applied in accordance with guidelines from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Any references to traditional or historical uses are for context only and do not represent any therapeutic claims for the products supplied by Austral Herbs.
Austral Herbs supplies ingredients only and does not claim that any products are intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Customers should consult a qualified healthcare professional before using any ingredients, particularly if pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication, or managing a medical condition.
Customers are responsible for ensuring that any finished products manufactured, marketed, or supplied using these ingredients comply with all applicable Australian laws and regulations, including those administered by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and relevant food standards legislation.
