Witch Hazel use by date

Wig · 16 July 2011 at 3:59PM

Does anyone know how long Distilled Witch Hazel is good for?

The unopened bottles probably a long time but once opened?

I'm talking about the commercial product, but I'm wondering because we always have kept it once opened in a cupboard for months/year or more, not in the fridge.

This article talks about homemade - use within a week, unless kept in a fridge.
http://handmaidenkitchen.blogspot.com/2010/01/make-your-own-witch-hazel-extract.html

Rainy-Days · 16 July 2011 at 6:39PM

I don't think there is one on commercial. I think once opened most stuff has a shlef life of 2 years max.

laddujaddu · 20 July 2011 at 7:27PM

Can people share, please, how they use witch hazel. I got one unopened bottle and it says on it bruises, sprains, etc. Is it really helpful? I have never used it.

dandy-candy · 21 July 2011 at 2:33PM

I use it after plucking my eyebrows and put it on my legs after shaving (assuming ur female!) and then moisturise. Also for bruises, scrapes and rashes. The bottle sometimes says to use on unbroken skin but its fine on scrapes - just smarts a bit.

quintwins · 21 July 2011 at 3:04PM

i use mine after i had kids, the midwife recommended i put it on my stitches it really helped my bottles must be 2 years old i just assumed it didn't go off, i put it in rashs and bites to releive itching, also i'm alergic to the sticky stuff they put on iv;s in hospital and they gave me some then to bring down the inflamation, my hospital seems to use it alot

VfM4meplse · 21 July 2011 at 3:06PM

It's used to bring out bruises etc as it has an astringent and haemostatic effect. I wouldn't use it if it has beeen open for more than a year, because of the risk of bacterial contamination. It's cheap enough to replace.