Allergen Of The Month: Witch Hazel

Witch hazel, from the Hamamelidaceae family, was widely distributed across various regions and included 6 species, with 2 native to North America. It thrived in diverse habitats such as woods and stream beds. The plant's bark, twigs, and leaves were traditionally used for their astringent properties to treat ailments like sunburn and hemorrhoids. Hamamelitannin, a compound found in witch hazel, exhibited selective cytotoxicity against colon cancer cells and protected endothelial cells from TNFα-induced death, contributing to its antihemorrhagic and UV protective effects.