Hamamelidis cortex

Cortex Hamamelidis is the officinal extract from the bark of Hamamelis virginiana, the Virginian witch hazel (Ph.Helv.7; DAC).

Quality laid down in the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.):

HMPC monograph: traditional-use: itching, burning, slight bleeding in grade I and II hemorrhoids, mild inflammation of the mucous membrane in the mouth and anal area.
ESCOP monograph: internal: diarrhea, external: mild lesions and local inflammation of the skin and oral mucosa; hemorrhoids; for varicose vein complaints,
Commission e-monograph: external: mild skin lesions, local inflammation of the skin and mucous membrane, hemorrhoids, varicose vein complaints.

Experimental medicine: external: hemostasis, skin and mucous membrane injuries, leg vein diseases, leg ulcers, dysentery, diarrhea, hematuria, menstrual problems and menopausal complaints.

Cosmetics industry: Extracts of witch hazel bark are used as an additive in the manufacture of facial tonics, pre- and after-shaves, skin nourishing creams and deodorant creams, see also Hamamelis virginiana extract (INCI), Hamamelis virginiana distillate (INCI).

Hamamelidis cortex contains tannins of the tannin type (4-10 %), including beta-hamamelitannin, a glycosidic tannin from gallic acid and hamamelose. It also contains ellagitannin, flavonoids(kaempferol, quercetin, astragalin), saponins and essential oil.

Naturopathic as tonic, astringent, anti-inflammatory, locally haemostatic.

Used mainly for inflammatory changes in the mucous membrane area. Also for minor skin injuries and local inflammation of the skin (WHO monograph), also of the scalp (Trueb RM 2014). For the often propagated dermatitis solaris, a 1% hydrocortisone cream should be more effective than a hamamelistopic.

Contact allergies possible

Pregnancy and lactation nor sufficient data, as well as in children and adolescents under 18 years.

Hamamelis extract haemorrhoid ointment I (W/O)

Hamamelis extract haemorrhoid ointment II (W/O)

Hamamelis extract/tannin hemorrhoid ointment (W/O)

e.g. ^Hametum® suppositories, ^Hametum® ointment, ^Hamasana® ointment and many others.

1. Duckstein SM et al. (2012) Conversion of phenolic constituents inaqueous Hamamelis virginiana leaf extracts during fermentation. Phytochem Anal 23:588-597.
2. Gloor M et al. (2002) Antiseptic effect of a topical dermatological formulation that contains Hamamelis distillate and urea. Forsch Komplementarmed Klass Naturheilkd 9:153-159.
3. González MJ et al. (2010) Impact of thermal processing on the activity of gallotannins and condensed tannins from Hamamelis virginiana used as functional ingredients in seafood. J Agric Food Chem 58:4274-4283.
4. Theisen LL et al.(2014) Tannins from Hamamelis virginiana bark extract: characterization and improvement of the antiviral efficacy against influenza A virus and human papillomavirus. PLoS One 9:e88062.
5. Trüeb RM (2014) North American Virginian Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana): Based Scalp Care and Protection for Sensitive Scalp, Red Scalp, and Scalp Burn-Out. IntJ Trichology 6:100-103.
6. Wolff HH et al. (2007) Hamamelis in children with skin disorders and skin injuries: results of an observational study. Eur J Pediatr 166:943-948.
7. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/zauberstrauch.php
8. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-community-herbal-monograph-hamamelis-virginiana-l-folium-cortex-aut-ramunculus-destillatum_en.pdf
9. Blaschek W (2015) Wichtl tea drugs and phytopharmaceuticals. A handbook for practice. Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft Munich. S 308-310
10. http://www.pharmakobotanik.de/systematik/6_droge/hamame-c.htm