The north American shrublike tree, Hamamelis Virginiana, also known as Witch Hazel, has enjoyed a tremendous and over exaggerated reputation for its virtues with respect to the hemostatic and astringent effects of its leaves and bark. Extracts and distillates of the leaves arc still used and these are quite popular ingredients in skin lotions, after shaves, creams, etc. The leaves do contain tannin which is astringent and they do contain a small amount of an essential oil which has a hemostatic effect. The latter claim is based upon the fact that the Hamamelis Leaf Distillate has a hemostatic effect and that tannin is not distillable with steam or with hydroalcoholic vapors and so the tannin is absent in the leaf distillate. Under the name of Hamamelis Water, another product is marketed and used as a popular embrocation. It is prepared from twigs of the witch hazel which are collected just before the buds open. This material is macerated with water and the mixture is distilled after 24 hours. To the distillate is added alcohol sufficient to preserve the distillate from mold or fungus growth. Astringent, soothing agent (contains tannins).