10 Uses For Witch Hazel Or 'What The *&#! Is This Stuff For?!'

When I was growing up, there were always three bottles in our medicine cabinet:  rubbing alcohol, peroxide, and witch hazel. Now, I understood what the rubbing alcohol was for - disinfecting tweezers when I got a splinter. Peroxide was the much-feared, pain-causing stuff Mom put on my knees before she dabbed on Mercurochrome (the pre-historic antiseptic later removed from the market because it contained mercury).  BUT WHAT WAS WITCH HAZEL FOR? 

Recently, I found some in my medicine closet and, thanks to menopause, can't remember buying this shit nor why we have it. So I researched this mystery substance and discovered it's got a MULTITUDE of purposes. So here are

10 USES FOR WITCH HAZEL

1. Acne – This is probably the most commonly-known use for witch hazel, but don't think it's exclusively for teenagers! As those of us in middle-age know, pimples happen well into adulthood. Dab a little witch hazel on those dots to reduce inflammation.
   
   
   
   
2. Varicose Veins – Soak a wash cloth in witch hazel and lay it on those veins which pop above the skin. The witch hazel tightens the veins to temporarily reduce discomfort. Great for those late nights when EVERYTHING aches!
   
   
   
   
3. Stop Bug Bites From Itching – The anti-itch magic of witch hazel is great for treating bug bites (for more treatments for mosquito bites, click here. Just tab a bit on the bite. 
   
   
   
   

   

   A witch hazel shrub

     
4. Clean Your Kitchen Counters – Save money with this easy cleaner!  Mix ½ cup of witch hazel with 1 cup of water and a tablespoon of lemon juice in a spray bottle. The combo cuts through grease, kills bacteria and leaves a lemon-fresh smell. Watch your countertops sparkle!
   
   
   
   
5. Heal Bruises – Sometimes I look down and see a random bruise I can't remember getting. Dab witch hazel on a bruise three times a day to reduce the healing time.
   
   
   
   
6. Peel Away Price Stickers – One of the banes of my existence are those price stickers they place on merchandise from The Dollar Store. Saturate a piece of paper towel with witch hazel and hold it on a sticker for about 30 seconds. The witch hazel breaks down the bonding agents in the sticker and makes it easier to peel off.
   
   

   

   Witch hazel leaf

    
7. Make Your Own Air Freshener – Mix ½ cup of witch hazel, 1 cup of water, and 15 drops of your favorite essential oil in a spray bottle. Spritz it around the house to kill odor-causing bacterial and add wanted scents to your house.  Especially useful in teenagers' rooms!
   
   
   
   
8. Sooth And Prevent Razor Burn – This anti-inflammatory wizard stops itchy bumps from forming around irritated hair follicles. Use it before or after shaving the face, armpits or legs and see if it helps with red skin.
   
   
   
   
9. Heal Cuts And Scrapes – Known as “nature's version of Neosporin” by some pharmacists, witch hazel kills bacteria and reduces swelling. Use instead of peroxide to clean scrapes.
   
   
   
   
10. Clean Vinyl, Linoleum, And Tile Floors – Just mop with ½ cup of witch hazel to 1 gallon of warm water. You can also stir in 1 tablespoon of borax before you mop for extra cleaning power. Witch hazel strips away old wax, making floors nice and clean. 
    
    

As I've said before, I am no medical professional, so if you have any questions about using witch hazel for medicinal purposes, please double-check with your doctor. These uses for this drug store staple have worked for me, at a fraction of the cost of other products. NOW I remember what I bought that white bottle for!

What do YOU use witch hazel for? Let me know!

Thank you for reading!

In Honor Of World Health: Improve Your Health IMMEDIATELY With This

It's World Health Day which means lots of articles on diet and nutrition. Okay, but those can take some time to render an affect on your body. 

There's something your can do RIGHT NOW to avoid getting sick and spreading germs:

LEARN HOW TO PROPERLY WASH YOUR HANDS

Washing Your Hands IMMEDIATELY Reduces Your Chances Of Getting Sick!

Hopefully, this is something you do every day, but are you doing it to maximize the amount of germ killing you're doing? Here are some tips to remember:

WHEN TO WASH YOUR HANDS

Before:

• Preparing food or eating
• Touching your eyes (whether to put on make-up or inserting or removing contact lenses)
• Treating wounds, giving medicine, or caring for a sick or injured person 
  
  
  
  

After:

• Preparing food, especially raw meat or poultry
• Using the toilet or changing a diaper
• Touching an animal, their toys, leash, or waste products
• Touching dirty laundry
• Blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing into your hands
• Treating wounds or caring for a sick or injured person
• Handling garbage, household or garden chemicals, or anything that could be contaminated — such as a cleaning cloth or soiled shoes
• Touching exercise equipment at the gym
• Coming home from work or school
• Getting off public transportation
• Shaking hands with others
  

HOW TO WASH YOUR HANDS

1. Wet your hands with cold, running water. Using warm or hot water doesn't increase germ killing, and it actually raises your odds of skin irritation (source).
   
2. Apply liquid, bar, or powder soap. Don't use anti-bacterial soap – it costs more and is no more effective at killing germs than regular soap, plus it contains chemicals that can actually damage your health.
   
3. Get a lot of lather going! Lathering and scrubbing creates the friction necessary to lift the dirt, microbes, etc. from your skin. Make sure you get the backs of your hands, under your fingernails, and the space between each and every finger. Scrub for at least 20 seconds (or two rounds of The ABC Song).
   
4. Rinse well and dry your hands with a clean towel or paper towel before using a towel or your elbow to turn off the faucet.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

SO WHAT ABOUT HAND SANITIZER?

Hand sanitizers are great, but only when soap and water are not available (don't be lazy – go to the sink!). Use a hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol and remember to:

• Apply enough to your palm to wet your hands completely (source).
• Rub your hands together, again vigorously, covering of the surfaces and getting in the nooks and crannies until your hands are dry.
  
  

Antimicrobial wipes or towelettes are another effective option if used properly.



For a fun, catchy tune on how to wash your hands, watch the YouTube video below:

HAPPY WORLD HEALTH DAY! 

Now go wash your hands!