Eric, that’s an odd question. Have you been to your garden yet to smell the flowers? After all — much of the snow is gone. Last week, I looked out my back door and saw at least 6 inches of snow on the ground. To get to any part of my garden, I would need to use a shovel.
But I hope I can give you ideas for things you might not have thought to do in your own backyard. As I talk about this lovely plant, I hope you can find a place in your garden for some of the smaller types.
What Does Witch Hazel Smell Like? Demystifying The Distinct Aroma
Witch hazel is a popular botanical extract that has been used for centuries in skincare remedies But despite its widespread use, the distinct scent of witch hazel remains a mystery to many So what exactly does witch hazel smell like?
The aroma of witch hazel can be quite complex and subjective. When describing the smell people often use comparisons like earthy, herbal, woody, mildly alcoholic or even reminiscent of bacon or root beer! The scent profile depends on the particular formulation and ingredients used.
As a natural extract, witch hazel has an inherent earthy, vegetal smell coming from the plant itself. The steam distillation process also imparts a warm, herbaceous note. Alcohol is sometimes added as a natural preservative, giving certain witch hazel products a mildly alcoholic undertone.
Essential oils like lavender, rose, and citrus are also commonly blended in to provide pleasant fragrances. This accounts for the floral, fruity, or sweet scents in some witch hazel preparations. Subtle nuances from the growing, harvest, and production process further contribute to the complexity of witch hazel’s aroma.
The Subjective Nature of Witch Hazel’s Scent
Given the variability, witch hazel’s smell is often described subjectively. What is an invigorating herbal aroma to one person may be an unpleasant odor to another. Personal scent preferences and sensitivity clearly affect perception.
To some, it has an unmistakable sharpness, like vinegar or potent alcohol. For others, it is a soothing, mild scent bringing to mind damp mosses and forest floors. There are also those who can’t stand the smell at all! These divergent experiences showcase how our individual senses, tastes, and associations inform our impressions.
So while witch hazel has definitive herbal and earthy qualities universally, the overall aroma remains open to interpretation. It’s important to sample different witch hazel products to find one with a smell you enjoy.
Common Descriptors for the Scent of Witch Hazel
Here are some of the most popular ways people characterize the witch hazel scent:
- Earthy, woody, or forest-like
- Herbaceous or vegetal
- Hint of citrus or lemon zest
- Alcoholic or vodka-like
- Floral from added essential oils
- Mildly astringent or medicinal
Watery, aqueous, or ozonic are also used, referring to the extract’s high water content. Though descriptions vary, they converge around that signature earthy-herbal essence. Think lush wetlands and foraging in a forest rather than artificial or cloying perfumes.
What Causes the Smell?
Witch hazel’s basic aromatic qualities stem from compounds found naturally in the plant itself. Hamamelis virginiana produces volatile phenolic compounds that give it that characteristic earthy aroma even before processing.
Steam distillation further concentrates these aromatic constituents of the twigs, leaves, and bark. This vapor infusion process elicits the full bouquet of witch hazel’s herbal essence.
Other production factors can also influence smell. Alcohol heightens the volatility of aromatic compounds, so added ethanol makes the scent more pronounced. The growing region, time of harvest, and extraction methodology further fine-tune the fragrance.
These variables mean that not all witch hazel products smell the same. But at its core, the scent profile reflects the plant’s rich chemical composition.
Fragrance Variations from Essential Oils
Many commercial witch hazel preparations contain added essential oils for a more aesthetically pleasing smell.
Lavender, rose, and other florals introduce a delicate perfume note. Citrus oils like grapefruit and lemon impart bright, uplifting aromas. Eucalyptus, tea tree, and mint provide clarifying herbal-medicinal nuances.
These supplemental fragrances make witch hazel more palatable for those who dislike its native smell. The key is to find a formula with natural essential oils that aligns with your aromatic preferences.
Why Scent Matters
Scent plays an important role in our overall experience of witch hazel. An enjoyable aroma enhances the application ritual and makes it a pampering treat.
Conversely, if the smell is unpleasant, you become less inclined to reap witch hazel’s numerous benefits. This makes it important to find a product with a scent you look forward to.
Seeking out high quality, unadulterated extracts without synthetic fragrances is also wise. This ensures you get the full therapeutic effects of witch hazel without any harsh chemicals.
Finally, be open-minded about witch hazel’s herbal scent. Depending on the product, it can be quite refreshing and evocative. Let your senses discern the subtle intricacies that make it so unique.
Achieving Aromatic Harmony
One person’s enlivening scent is another’s offensive odor, which explains the radically differing descriptions of witch hazel. Finding a formula in harmony with your nose may take sampling a few options. Seek out trusted brands that use natural essential oils to complement witch hazel’s earthy aroma.
While its smell is complex and subjective, most would agree witch hazel has an unmistakable forest-like essence. Embrace this whimsical gift from nature and discover why witch hazel has been relied on for generations. With an open mind and discerning senses, you can discover the aromatic magic of witch hazel.
Leaves make the plant stand out
The leaves are for me one of the greatest benefits to growing this plant. Leaves can range from yellow to orange to red and purple. When the leaves stay on the plant for a long time, it can be hard to get things done. Sometimes old leaves will cover over the bloom that comes on in the winter. I do consider witch hazel a four season plant.
The experience I have had growing my common witch hazel has been an excellent one. I sited my witch hazel under some trees where I have a number of other plants. I have experienced no real problems with this plant. I have not actively pruned my witch hazel.
A healthy witch hazel should be from 20 to 30 feet tall. We are only 10 feet away, and I haven’t seen any strange bugs or diseases on my walks that would have told me the witch hazel was sick. So, after more than 15 years of testing, I can say that witch hazel is a tough plant that will give you these long petals for many years after you plant it.
Getting to know witch hazel
I went to a master gardener Zoom meeting about the tall shrub or small tree witch hazel two weeks ago. I have used many interesting plants in my designs over the years on a regular basis. Some types have flowers that are very hot, like those that are purple, red, orange, yellow, and many other colors in between. There are also different scents, ranging from none at all to a wonderful scent that makes you want to put on your parka and boots and enjoy the scent on a sunny, warm day.
Be aware that this flower will not bloom on days that are very cool; the flower will stay in its case. Smart, right! As the day continues to cool, it will also return to its case. If you enjoy your pollinators, you will have to get one of these witch hazel plants.
It may not be possible for these insects to find other shrubs or plants in bloom during the warm days of late fall and early winter when these plants are in bloom. If you have hives, the witch hazels will be a busy place. You will not regret planting the cultivars Xintermedia Amethyst, Palida, or Jelena or the common witch hazel.
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FAQ
Does witch hazel smell nice?
Why does my witch hazel smell like alcohol?
Do witch hazel flowers have a scent?
Does witch hazel deodorize?
Does witch hazel smell bad?
Many people have trouble getting used to witch hazel’s odd smell, but it dissipates quickly after use. Lots of health-food store products containing witch hazel extracts mask the smell by adding essential oils of rose, lavender, or other aromatic herbs.
Does witch hazel irritate your skin?
Some products may contain alcohol, which can dry and irritate skin. Even alcohol-free witch hazel products can be irritating if used too much. It’s a good idea to watch how your skin reacts; while some people can apply witch hazel several times per day, others can use it only occasionally.
What do witch hazel flowers look like?
Witch hazel flowers have a lemon-zesty fragrance, though the flowers are not as showy as some other plants. They have strappy, wispy petals that look like hairy spider legs. The petal colors range from yellow to orange to red. Witch hazel flowers have adapted to winter cold, curling up during freezing temperatures.
Is Witch Hazel a preservative?
Most of them are distilled products that usually contain about 14 percent of either ethyl or isopropyl alcohol as a preservative. Generations of Americans have used ordinary drugstore witch hazel as a mild antiseptic and astringent, an aftershave, a toner for oily skin and more.
Is Witch Hazel a good essential oil?
Witch Hazel does possess a mild, pleasant aroma, but it’s not typically distilled into an essential oil. However, its scent carries therapeutic benefits. The aroma, though subtle, is believed to have calming effects, aiding in stress reduction when used in aromatherapy or as a component in skincare products.
Why does witch hazel taste bitter?
Witch Hazel, when consumed orally, has a bitter taste due to its tannins. Mixing it with herbs or incorporating it into foods or beverages helps mask its bitterness. Combining it with honey, herbal teas, or diluted in fruit juices can make it more palatable without compromising its effectiveness.