Medicine chest staple deserves a FRESH LOOK… as an anti-aging hero!
There are a few “wives’ tales” and “folk remedies” that have somehow fallen OUT of favor… and gotten DISMISSED… simply because they seem old fashioned.
We’re always being told we should try something NEW and MODERN…
But sometimes it’s the time-honored traditions that still work the best!
Just look at yourself – YOU haven’t gotten WORSE with age. You just may be showing some signs of wear and tear.
But fortunately, there’s a time-tested way to REGAIN your radiance… and give aging the big KISS-OFF.
It’s a “home cure” that’s a common ingredient included in anti-aging serums…
But on its own, it’s FREE of irritants… synthetic perfumes… and harsh side effects.
And it’s widely available… for practically just pocket change!
This skin saver isn’t witchcraft
I’m talking about witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) – and you may already be familiar with it from your mother’s or grandmother’s medicine cabinet.
For ages, its bark and leaves have been mixed with alcohol or water to CLEAR and TONIFY skin…
And in the case of Native Americans, to alleviate burns… swelling… sores… insect bites… and infections.
Native tribes also tapped into this shrub’s MYSTICAL powers by using its twigs as a divining rod to discover subterranean water sources!
Now, you’re probably not nearly as “exposed to the elements” as our tribal predecessors were in pre-Colonial times…
But witch hazel can help REJUVENATE skin that’s been ravaged by UV rays… environmental pollution… and the plain ol’ passage of time.
It gets much of its power from its rich content of tannins – “drying” (a.k.a. astringent) compounds that exert strong antioxidant effects.
The astringency works alongside antibacterial qualities to beat back the adult-onset acne that PLAGUES way too many seniors…
And it can also contribute to a tightening and firming of aging skin… to smooth out fine lines and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
Because tannins can NEUTRALIZE free radicals as part of their antioxidant activity, that means they can help protect against cellular damage… right down to your skin cells’ DNA.
And tannin-rich witch hazel’s ability to EXTINGUISH inflammation could mean the ERASURE of redness and swelling associated with scars… puffy eyes… and more.
That’s right – tannins also work to CONSTRICT blood vessels, too!
To try witch hazel for yourself, skip the cosmetics counter and go straight to the pharmacy or your local health food store… where you can find a bottle by time-tested brands sold for just a few dollars.
HUMPHREYS Witch Hazel Astringent — the creation of homeopathic pioneer, Dr. Frederick Humphreys — dates back to 1854. But that’s just one option among many.
Generally, witch hazel alcohol or even water is too potent on its own for topical use… especially if your skin is already sensitive.
So, try diluting it with coconut or jojoba as a carrier oil. You can also blend it with other skin-saving ingredients… like vitamin E or aloe vera.
Do a patch test first – and if you find it too drying, switch to a version mixed with water instead of alcohol.
Give it a few days… but be aware that it could take as long as a couple of weeks for the difference to become noticeable.
To discovering underground age-fighters,
Melissa Young
