Alcohol or witch hazel kills the viruses in cold sores

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Witch hazel can feel like a domestic solution for everything — after all, there's a good chance that this plant-derived liquid has always been in your medicine cabinet. It's often distilled into an ointment or a concentrated extract that can be used in many different ways.

It's often a prime ingredient in skincare products that are designed to relieve itchy skin and can be used topically for issues like mosquito bites , and it may even be found in products designed to alleviate body pain.

But it's not a magical elixir, unfortunately, and it cannot be used to properly disinfect a surface to kill germs, including viruses and bacteria. As deep-cleaning surfaces around the home have become a top priority during the COVID pandemic , people have been wondering if they can use non-chemical cleaners to sanitize and disinfect surfaces, including witch hazel, which is often included in homegrown recipes for hand sanitizer.

But the fact that witch hazel is associated with hand sanitizer doesn't mean it's a disinfectant — it's mostly included for its holistic health benefits. You might be surprised to learn that witch hazel is actually a plant. Most products in the wellness aisle are made from tannins found within its leaves and bark, often processed into topical treatments that you find in the pharmacy aisle.

While it's generally applied to the outermost layer of skin to relieve itching and reduce swelling, it's also found within other topical and oral medicines. They can also appear though rarely on your nose, cheeks and fingers.

These cold sore pus filled blisters generally appear in patches. The dormant virus in your body can outbreak into cold sore any time particularly when your immunity is low. If your immunity is maintained strong then you may never get them even though the virus is inhibiting in your body.

Home remedies such as witch hazel for cold sores not only reduce pain but also prevent the infection to spread. That is why most people prefer to use hazel than the chemical based OTC creams. Inflammation is a normal immune response designed to protect your body against injury and infection. However, chronic inflammation is thought to play a central role in the development of certain diseases 1.

Witch hazel contains many compounds with potent anti-inflammatory properties, including gallic acid and tannins.

It also contains antioxidants that help prevent widespread inflammation and neutralize free radicals, which are disease-causing compounds that can build up in your body 2 , 3. Therefore, witch hazel could have far-reaching benefits and may be useful in the treatment of inflammatory-related issues, such as acne, eczema or psoriasis.

Studies show that topically-applied witch hazel can effectively reduce inflammation and help soothe your skin 4 , 5. Shop for witch hazel online. Some research suggests that applying witch hazel topically to sensitive skin may be beneficial in the treatment of inflamed, irritated or broken skin.

Similarly, another small study found that a topical preparation containing witch hazel was able to provide relief for sensitive or irritated facial skin 8. Hemorrhoids are caused by the swelling and inflammation of the veins in your rectum and anus, resulting in symptoms, such as itchiness and bleeding. Witch hazel is often used as a natural remedy to provide relief from the discomfort and pain caused by hemorrhoids.

Though research is limited, witch hazel is believed to help treat the itching, redness, pain and swelling associated with hemorrhoids due to its anti-inflammatory effects 9. However, more studies in humans are needed to examine the effectiveness of witch hazel on hemorrhoids. Witch hazel is often used to reduce the itching, redness, pain, bleeding and swelling associated with hemorrhoids.

More studies are needed to evaluate its effectiveness. Thanks to its powerful anti-inflammatory properties, some research suggests that witch hazel could be useful in the treatment of acne. It acts as an astringent, causing your tissues to contract to help shrink pores, while also soothing your skin and relieving inflammation 5.

This may prevent acne-causing bacteria from infecting your skin. For this reason, witch hazel is commonly added to many over-the-counter acne products and is especially useful for individuals with oily skin. Still, studies on the effects of witch hazel on acne are limited and further research is needed to determine its efficacy. Witch hazel acts as an astringent to help shrink your pores, soothe your skin and reduce inflammation. More research is needed to determine the effects of witch hazel itself on acne.

Scalp sensitivity can be caused by a number of factors, ranging from cosmetic hair treatments to dermatological conditions, such as psoriasis or seborrheic dermatitis. Applying a bit of witch hazel to your scalp before washing your hair may help treat scalp sensitivity and provide relief from symptoms, such as itching and tenderness. According to one study in 1, people, using a shampoo containing witch hazel extract was effective in reducing scalp irritation Treat with hydrogen peroxide Getty Images.

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