Page 268 - Lost Book Remedies

The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies

Stop Bleeding from Wounds: Apply witch hazel twigs as soon as the tree has flowered. The tonic prop-
astringent to bleeding wounds to tighten the tissues erties are strongest immediately after flowering. Re-
and stop the bleeding. For large wounds, soak a cloth move leaves and flowers. Chop the twigs into small
in Witch Hazel Astringent or Witch Hazel Tea and pieces. Place the chopped twigs into an extra-large
cover the wound. stainless steel or enamel pot. Cover the twigs with one
gallon (4 Liters) of distilled water and bring to a boil.
Hemorrhoids and Other Itching: Witch Hazel Reduce the heat, cover the pot, and simmer the water
Astringent reduces the swelling of hemorrhoids and for at least 6 hours, adding water as needed to keep the
soothes the itching caused by hemorrhoids and other twigs covered. You can use a crockpot on medium or
skin irritations. To use Witch Hazel Astringent for high for this step if you have one. Allow the mixture to
hemorrhoids, soak a soft cloth or cotton pad in the as- cool, then strain the mixture to remove the twigs. Keep
tringent and use it as a poultice. Replace as needed. the witch hazel refrigerated and use within a few

Other Uses: Some people are able to use a forked weeks. Yields one gallon (4 Liters). For longer-term
witch hazel branch as a divining rod to find water un- storage, add 8 ounces (250ml) of vodka or grain alco-
derground. The diviner holds each end of the Y-shaped hol to 16 (500ml) ounces of tonic.
branch, using the tail to point to water. When the ends
are held gently, the divining end points downward to
indicate when water is below

Harvesting: Removing the bark from a witch hazel
tree will kill the tree, so it is important only to collect
branches that have fallen or to prune a branch care-
fully, using sanitized tools. Do not remove bark from
the trunks or main branches.
Recipes. Witch Hazel Astringent: This witch
hazel astringent is much stronger than the store-
bought variety. It contains concentrated tannins and is
for external use only. Best used without alcohol but it
can be added for preservation. Collect 1 pound of fresh
Witch Hazel Tree, Colorado Food Forrest

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