Family: Hamamelidaceae (Witch Hazel)
Other names: witchhazel, spotted alder, striped alder, winterbloom, snapping hazelnut
Name meaning: It is unclear where the name witch originated; some believe it refers to the use of the plant for divining rods (see Magical uses below), although the more likely explanation is that it comes from the Middle English wiche, meaning "pliable". Hazel refers to the similarity of the leaves to hazel leaves (Corylus spp.), although witch hazel is not related to the hazels. Hamamelis means "together with fruit", referring to the fact that its flowers and fruit exist on the same tree at the same time, which is unique among North American trees. Virginiana means "of Virginia"; Virginia originally meant all the area along the East Coast claimed by England in the late 1500s, and was one of the first areas of North America to be explored by Europeans, so witch hazel was probably first recorded and collected there, though its range extends beyond the area.
Origin: Witch hazel is native to the eastern half of North America
Range: In North America, witch hazel is found from Maine to Florida and west to the Mississippi River. It has also been planted in Europe for its medicinal and aesthetic value, though it has not naturalized there.
Life cycle: Perennial
Habitat: Witch hazel is an understory tree in dry to moist hardwood forests
Description: A shrub or small tree, often with several trunks in a clump, which can grow up to 15 feet high. The leaves are obovate and crenate, 3-6 inches long, usually with an asymmetrical base. There are 5-7 veins on each leaf, and the leaves are sometimes hairy, especially when young. They turn yellow in the fall. The flowers, which appear in the autumn after the leaves have fallen, are yellow, with four long, crinkly petals. The seed capsules, which often appear alongside the flowers, split open and expell two small black seeds when ripe. The reddish cone shaped galls that are often found on the leaves are caused by the witch hazel aphid (Hormaphis hamamelidis). These galls don't cause any particular harm to witch hazel, other than sucking up some of their energy. These galls are extremely common on witch hazel and can be used to identify the plant if you don't recognize the leaf shape right away; I have yet to see a single witch hazel tree without any galls (though there probably are some out there).
Similar plants: The closely related ozark or vernal witch hazel (Hamamelis vernalis) is found in Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. It is generally smaller than H. virginiana, and blooms in the spring rather than the fall. Otherwise, the two are very similar. There are two other species of the Hamamelis genus, Chinese witch hazel (H. mollis) and Japanese witch hazel (H. japonica), which are found in Asia but may be cultivated in North America.

Uses

Edible: Tea can be made from the leaves and twigs. The seeds are also edible.

Medicinal: Witch hazel is well known for its use on various skin problems. Its effectiveness is due to its hamamelitannins, a unique type of tannin which is very astringent. Witch hazel is an ingredient in many skin products, and witch hazel extract has been sold in great numbers for more than a century. The leaves, bark, and twigs all contain the famous medicinal properties, though the bark has it in the greatest concentration. Various tinctures, extracts, decoctions, lotions, ointments, and poultices are applied externally to inflammations, burns, swelling, itching, insect bites and stings, bruises, abrasions, poison ivy, diaper rash, eczema, muscle aches, broken capillaries, bleeding gums, varicose veins, tumors, cysts, and hemorrhoids, and to cuts and wounds to stop bleeding and prevent infection. It is also used as a douche for vaginal irritation. Diluted, the decoction is applied to inflammations of the eye. Internally, the decoction has been used for internal bleeding, colds, coughs, asthma, fevers, diarrhea, dystentery, colitis, catarrh, sore throats, cholera, varicose veins, prolapsed organs, and heavy menstrual flow, and to restore the uterus after miscarriage, abortion, and childbirth.

Utilitarian: Thomas Hariot reported in 1588 that "wich-hazle" was used by Native Americans to make bows; other sources have confirmed that witch hazel is excellent for bowmaking.

Magical: Witch hazel branches have been used as divining rods, which would supposedly bend downward when water, gold, or some other valuable was nearby. Witch hazel bark and twigs are used for protection against evil and in "anti-love" spells, to mend a broken heart and end attraction.

Where to find witch hazel

Witch hazel is relatively common throughout its range. It's probably easiest to look for it in the autumn when it's flowering and very noticeable. You can also buy witch hazel extracts in many natural food stores. It's also available many places online; Herbal Remedies carries witch hazel tinctures and ointments, Blessed Herbs carries witch hazel extracts and bark, and Capricorn's Lair carries witch hazel leaves. Google "witch hazel" and you'll find much more.

Links

Wikipedia: Witch-hazel
Botanical.com: Witch Hazel
Witch Hazel: Hamamelis virginiana
Plants for a Future: Witch Hazel
Wildflowers of the Southeastern US: Witch Hazel
King's American Dispensatory: Hamamelis
HerbNET: U-Z Herbs (scroll down to witch hazel)
Herbs2000: Witch Hazel
Herbs and Oils: UVWXYZ (scroll down to witch hazel)
Herbal Magick (scroll down to witch hazel)
The Soul Element: Herbs (scroll down to witchhazel)
Capricorn's Lair: Witch Hazel
Alchemy Works: Witch Hazel
USDA Plant Profile: Witch Hazel