witch hazel

Now autumn is nearly at an end in england I am reflecting on witch hazel.  Its fruit, flowers, and next year's leaf buds all appear on the branch simultaneously, a rarity among trees.

witch (wiche) (wice) in old english means pliant or bendable  while hazel is derived from the use of the twigs as divining rods.  There is always a geat autumn energy about this plant.

I am reflecting on the traditional use of witch hazel.  Like chamomile this makes a very good eyedrop when correctly prepared.  This is a very astringent match for redder eyes. Wicehazel extract from the leaves and bark has been traditionally used to shrink dilated blood vessals) to the shirley price chamomile eyedrops which are more soothing.

Essentia