Hamamelis Virginiana è un arbusto che raggiunge mediamente i 4 metri di altezza, ma che può arrivare fino ad 8 metri e fiorisce con fiori gialli, ognuno composto da quattro petali, nastriformi. Produce frutti in forma di capsule di semi verdi che diventano duri e legnosi e, con la maturazione, si schiariscono diventando di color marrone chiaro. Nessun grave problema legato a parassiti, piuttosto rari su questo arbusto.

A cosa serve e dove si usa

Cosmetica

Impiegata in cosmesi per la cura dei capelli, in saponi liquidi, Poiché fiori e corteccia contengono tannini, flavonoidi, composti fenolici e saponine, l'estratto distillato di Hamamelis Virginiana ha un'azione cicatrizzante e astringente sulla pelle infiammata.

Utilizzi e benefici dell'estratto di Hamamelis Virginiana.

Astringente. Grazie al suo alto contenuto di tannini, l'estratto di amamelide ha forti proprietà astringenti, che aiutano a ridurre l'aspetto dei pori e a tonificare la pelle.

Antinfiammatorio. È noto per la sua capacità di calmare la pelle irritata e infiammata, rendendolo ideale per trattare scottature solari, morsi di insetti e altre irritazioni cutanee (1).

Sebo. L'estratto di amamelide può aiutare a regolare la produzione di sebo, utile per la cura della pelle grassa e per prevenire l'acne.

Antiossidante. Contiene antiossidanti che aiutano a proteggere la pelle dai danni causati dai radicali liberi e dall'invecchiamento precoce (2) (3).

Lenitivo. Spesso utilizzato nei dopobarba, aiuta a ridurre il rossore e a calmare la pelle dopo la rasatura.

Versatilità. Può essere incorporato in una varietà di prodotti per la cura della pelle, inclusi tonici, detergenti, sieri, creme e lozioni.

Altre applicazioni

Nell'inchiostro utilizzato per i tatuaggi (pigmento di colore, glicerina, estratto di Hamamelis Virginiana, acqua e alcool) (4).

Hamamelis Virginiana studi

Bibliografia_____________________________________________________________________

(1) Piazza S, Martinelli G, Vrhovsek U, Masuero D, Fumagalli M, Magnavacca A, Pozzoli C, Canilli L, Terno M, Angarano M, Dell'Agli M, Sangiovanni E. Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Acne Effects of Hamamelis virginiana Bark in Human Keratinocytes. Antioxidants (Basel). 2022 Jun 5;11(6):1119. doi: 10.3390/antiox11061119. 

Abstract. Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) is recognized as one of the main triggers of the cutaneous inflammatory response in acne vulgaris, a chronic skin disorder with a multifactorial origin. Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana L.) is a plant widely used for skin inflammatory conditions, with some preliminary anti-inflammatory evidence on the skin, but lacking data on acne conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a glycolic extract from Hamamelis virginiana bark (HVE) versus C. acnes-induced inflammation in human keratinocytes (HaCaT). Phytochemical investigations of HVE identified hamamelitannin (HT) and proanthocyanidins as the most abundant compounds (respectively, 0.29% and 0.30% w/wextract). HVE inhibited C. acnes-induced IL-6 release (IC50: 136.90 μg/mL), by partially impairing NF-κB activation; however, no antibacterial or antibiofilm activities were found. In addition, HVE showed greater anti-inflammatory activity when TNF-α was used as a proinflammatory stimulus (IC50 of 38.93 μg/mL for IL-8 release), partially acting by antioxidant mechanisms, as shown for VEGF inhibition. The effects of HVE are primarily based on the proanthocyanidin content, as HT was found inactive on all the parameters tested. These results suggest further investigations of HVE in other inflammatory-based skin diseases.

(2) Touriño S, Lizárraga D, Carreras A, Lorenzo S, Ugartondo V, Mitjans M, Vinardell MP, Juliá L, Cascante M, Torres JL. Highly galloylated tannin fractions from witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) bark: electron transfer capacity, in vitro antioxidant activity, and effects on skin-related cells. Chem Res Toxicol. 2008 Mar;21(3):696-704. doi: 10.1021/tx700425n. 

Abstract. Witch hazel ( Hammamelis virginiana) bark is a rich source of both condensed and hydrolizable oligomeric tannins. From a polyphenolic extract soluble in both ethyl acetate and water, we have generated fractions rich in pyrogallol-containing polyphenols (proanthocyanidins, gallotannins, and gallates). The mixtures were highly active as free radical scavengers against ABTS, DPPH (hydrogen donation and electron transfer), and HNTTM (electron transfer). They were also able to reduce the newly introduced TNPTM radical, meaning that they included some highly reactive components. Witch hazel phenolics protected red blood cells from free radical-induced hemolysis and were mildly cytotoxic to 3T3 fibroblasts and HaCat keratinocytes. They also inhibited the proliferation of tumoral SK-Mel 28 melanoma cells at lower concentrations than grape and pine procyanidins. The high content in pyrogallol moieties may be behind the effect of witch hazel phenolics on skin cells. Because the most cytotoxic and antiproliferative mixtures were also the most efficient as electron transfer agents, we hypothesize that the final putative antioxidant effect of polyphenols may be in part attributed to the stimulation of defense systems by mild prooxidant challenges provided by reactive oxygen species generated through redox cycling.

(3) Amêndola I, Viegas DJ, Freitas ET, Oliveira JR, Santos JGD, Oliveira FE, Lagareiro Netto AA, Marcucci MC, Oliveira LD, Back-Brito GN. Hamamelis virginiana L. extract presents antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects, absence of cytotoxicity, anti-inflammatory action, and potential to fight infections through the nitric oxide production by macrophages. An Acad Bras Cienc. 2024 Feb 12;96(1):e20200031. doi: 10.1590/0001-3765202320200031. PMID: 38359287.

Abstract. The potential of H. virginiana L. was evaluated against Candida spp. (C. albicans, C. dubliniensis, C. glabrata, C. guilliermondii, C. krusei, and C. tropicalis) and bacteria (Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus mutans). Effect on murine macrophages (RAW 264.7) was also evaluated with respect to cytotoxicity and production of cytokines (IL-1β and TNF-α) and nitric oxide (NO). The most effective concentrations of the extract were determined by microdilution broth. These concentrations were analyzed on biofilms, after 5 min or 24 h exposure. Cytotoxicity was performed by MTT assay and quantification of cytokines and NO by ELISA and Griess reagent, respectively. The extract acted against the planktonic forms and provided significant reductions of all the microbial biofilms; besides, showed no cytotoxic effect, except at 100 mg/mL, after 24 h exposure. There was cytokine production; however, a modulatory effect was observed in groups exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from E. coli. NO production was similar or higher than the control group. Thus, H. virginiana L. extract showed antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects; absence of cytotoxicity for RAW 264.7; anti-inflammatory action; and potential to fight infections through the NO production.

(4) Pinal-Fernandez I, Solans-Laqué R. The 'sparing phenomenon' of purpuric rash over tattooed skin. Dermatology. 2014;228(1):27-30. doi: 10.1159/000356779. Epub 2013 Dec 14. PMID: 24356492.