Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is a shrub with some distinctive features. While most shrubs lose their leaves in the fall, and bloom flowers in the spring, Witch Hazel yellow-white flowers emerge in the fall or winter, which leads to another name it is known by, “Winterbloom”. The flowers are distinctive with long golden petals that are tinged with red at the base. In the autumn, Witch hazel leaves turn yellow and remain that color though-out the winter, but don’t fall off. The leaves and flowers of the Witch Hazel contain polyphenols and tannins, which are known to have astringent properties. * Witch Hazel enjoys a very long history of use in folklore. Traditional Native Americans made tea out of the leaves and used the leaves and bark as a topical poultice. Early colonial residents also made use of Witch hazel. It was recommended by physicians for centuries, and was listed in the United States Pharmacopoeia of 1882, and in the National Formulary until 1955. Witch hazel is often used to support healthy skin*.