Witch Hazel has been supposed to owe its utility to an action on the muscular fibre of veins. The distilled extract from the fresh leaves and young twigs forms an excellent remedy for internal and external uses, being beneficial for bleeding from the lungs and nose, as well as from other internal organs. In the treatment of varicose veins, it should be applied in a lint bandage, which must be constantly kept moist: a pad of witch hazel applied to a burst varicose vein will stop the bleeding and often save life by its instant application.