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Today, I’ll walk you through the straightforward steps to craft your own witch hazel extract, allowing you to fully enjoy this powerful herbal ally while knowing exactly what’s in it. Together, we’ll capture the natural benefits of witch hazel in a simple, effective way.
As I was out exploring one of my favorite foraging spots this past week, I was thrilled to spot a small, yellow-blooming tree nestled among the others. It was witch hazel, a plant I’ve long admired but hadn’t yet encountered on my foraging walks until now. Late fall seems to be the perfect time to find it in bloom, and the flowers almost appeared to glow in the autumn landscape—a last burst of color before winter’s quiet settles in. Witch hazel is a plant with a rich history, especially among the Native peoples of the Northeast, who have long known of its medicinal gifts.
One thing that makes witch hazel so special is its unique ability to bloom in the fall, with delicate yellow flowers that can last up to eight weeks, brightening the forest when few other plants do. Many believe that late fall is the best time to harvest witch hazel, as this extended bloom time makes it easy to spot and gather its twigs in autumn, when flowering is nearly complete.
Why Make Your Own Witch Hazel Extract?
Most store-bought witch hazel is clear, heavily processed, and preserved with isopropyl alcohol—a type of alcohol best suited for external use. While this commercial version does offer astringent properties, it’s often overly drying and lacks the rich, plant-infused qualities of a homemade extract. By making your own, you can use 80-proof vodka as a preservative, which contains ethyl alcohol. Ethyl alcohol is gentler on the skin and, when prepared properly, is even safe for limited internal use, providing an extract with a more natural, holistic profile.
A homemade witch hazel extract holds a lovely, deep brown hue from the tannins and other natural compounds drawn from the twigs, making it a richer, more robust remedy. This earthy color isn’t just cosmetic; it’s a sign of an extract that retains the plant’s full range of beneficial compounds.
Benefits of Homemade Witch Hazel Extract
Witch hazel is used for its astringent benefits, which soothe, tone, and protect the skin. A homemade extract captures these witch hazel astringent benefits in a way that’s gentle yet effective.
- Astringent Properties: Its natural astringent helps tighten pores and reduce excess oil on the skin, making it ideal for oily or acne-prone skin.
- Reduces Skin Inflammation: Witch hazel is known to alleviate irritation, redness, and puffiness, aiding conditions like acne, rosacea, and minor burns.
- Soothes Skin and Scalp: This extract is also used for relieving itchiness and soothing scalp conditions, as well as alleviating pain from bruises or insect bites.
- Anti-Aging Properties: Witch hazel may help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles due to its tightening effect on the skin.
Step-By-Step Guide to Making Witch Hazel Extract
This recipe provides flexibility to make as little or as much as you’d like depending on how many twigs or bark you’ve gathered.
Important Safety Note: Proper plant identification is essential. Only harvest witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) from known sources. If uncertain, consult an experienced herbalist or botanist.
Ingredients
- Witch hazel twigs: Harvested in late fall/winter when properties are most concentrated
- Distilled water: 4 parts water to 1 part plant material by volume
- 80-proof vodka: Amount calculated below for preservation
Equipment Needed
- A non-reactive pot (stainless steel or enamel-coated)
- A small pair of pruning shears to cut the twigs
- Fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth
- Sterilized amber glass bottles for storage
- Measuring cups
1. Harvesting Witch Hazel Twigs
Late fall, just after flowering, is the perfect time to gather witch hazel. Select small, pliable twigs from the plant (see the section below for why I use twigs and not bark). As you harvest, take a moment to thank the plant, acknowledging the long-standing role of witch hazel in natural healing traditions.
2. Preparing the Extract Base
Cut the twigs into small (1 inch) pieces and place them in your pot. Add distilled water in a 4:1 ratio (four parts water to one part twigs), bringing this mixture to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and allow it to cook down until it’s reduced by half. This slow reduction extracts the plant’s active compounds, concentrating their benefits into the water.
- Example: 1 cups chopped twigs needs 4 cups water
3. Adding Vodka for Preservation
After your witch hazel mixture has finished heating, remove the pot from the heat and let it cool slightly. Once cooled, strain the liquid through a fine cloth or sieve, pressing gently to release as much liquid as possible. This step removes plant material, giving you a clean base for your extract.
Now, add 80-proof vodka until your extract reaches a 30% alcohol concentration. The vodka acts as a natural preservative, extending the extract’s shelf life up to two years and making it safe for skin application.
Here’s how to calculate the amount of vodka needed for a 30% alcohol concentration:
The Formula:
Take the amount of strained witch hazel liquid, multiply it by 0.3, and divide by 0.1 (this accounts for the difference between the vodka’s 40% alcohol content and your 30% target).
- Measure your strained witch hazel liquid (let’s say it’s 2 cups or 474 ml).
- Multiply by 0.3 (to get the target alcohol).
- Divide by 0.1 to calculate the precise amount of vodka needed.
4. Storing
Pour the vodka-infused extract into amber-colored bottles to protect it from light, which helps maintain its potency over time. Store the bottles in a cool, dark place with an ideal temperature of 55-65°F (13-18°C). If properly preserved, your witch hazel extract should last 1-2 years. Discard it if you notice off smells, mold, or cloudiness, as these signs indicate it has gone bad.
Enjoying and Using Your Witch Hazel Extract
Once completed, your homemade witch hazel extract can be used in several ways, each highlighting its soothing benefits and showcasing the many uses for witch hazel astringent properties.:
- Facial Toner: Dab a small amount onto a cotton ball to tone and refresh the skin, tighten pores, and balance oil levels.
- Skin Soother: Apply to rashes or insect bites to calm redness and irritation.
- Minor Ailments: Use on bruises, minor cuts, or even (diluted) as a mild throat gargle if needed.
There’s something so satisfying about crafting your own witch hazel extract, knowing each step is infused with intention and a connection to the land. This extract isn’t just a natural remedy—it’s a personal bond with nature’s wisdom, crafted by hand. Enjoy adding this beautiful, skin-loving extract to your herbal toolkit, knowing that you’re using something as close to nature as it gets.
Why I use twigs and not bark
Using twigs over bark for witch hazel extract has a few practical and ecological benefits. Here’s why twigs are often preferred:
1. Sustainability and Plant Health
- Harvesting twigs is generally more sustainable than stripping bark. Taking twigs from a witch hazel plant, especially when done carefully, allows the plant to continue thriving. Removing bark, on the other hand, can potentially damage the plant by exposing it to diseases and pests or disrupting its ability to transport nutrients.
- Since witch hazel is often a wild plant and less commonly cultivated, using twigs helps minimize environmental impact.
2. Accessibility and Ease of Harvest
- Twigs are more readily available and accessible than bark, especially when witch hazel is in bloom in the late fall or early winter. You can simply clip small branches without needing to cut deeply into the plant, making it a quick and straightforward process.
3. Concentration of Active Compounds
- While bark may have a slightly higher concentration of tannins, the difference is minimal, especially when a reduction method is used. Twigs offer a potent enough source for a strong, effective extract without compromising the plant’s health.
Twigs provide an effective, environmentally conscious, and user-friendly way to craft a homemade witch hazel extract, harnessing the plant’s benefits while respecting its natural growth.
More to explore
Here’s a list of other seasonal remedies to help deepen your knowledge:
- 10 Immune-Boosting Herbs for Wellness – Discover herbs to support immunity naturally.
- Making a DIY Autumn Spice Body Scrub – Soothe your skin with seasonal aromas.
- Solomon Seal Root Benefits & Preparations – Discover the powerful uses of Solomon Seal root for joint health and muscle recovery, plus easy methods for incorporating it into your wellness routine
- Easy Rose Hip Syrup Recipe for High Dose Vitamin C– A blend of rose hips and honey that offers immune support as we head into the cooler months.
- Ginger Tea for Digestion & Circulation – This warming, spicy blend is perfect for digestive health and winter wellness.
- 12 Best Warming Herbs to Enhance Your Winter – Discover herbs that can add warmth and boost immunity during winter.
These resources provide an array of seasonal remedies, so you can explore more ways to harness nature’s gifts throughout the year.
Disclaimer:
The Outdoor Apothecary website is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice. The information provided is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, it is the reader’s responsibility to ensure proper plant identification and usage.
Please be aware that some plants are poisonous or can have serious adverse health effects. We are not health professionals, medical doctors, or nutritionists. It is essential to consult with qualified professionals for verification of nutritional information, health benefits, and any potential risks associated with edible and medicinal plants mentioned on this website.
