I love the Always Maxi “purple pads” which are theirovernight extra heavy flow pads. These are the big guns, but don’t feel too big or bulky when wearing them. Bromley, Gerald D. (6 March 2017). "Warning letter: Aegeia Skin Care, LLC". Inspections, Compliance, Enforcement, and Criminal Investigations, US Food and Drug Administration . Retrieved 13 April 2017. Of course, there’s no rule that says you have to make these before your due date. With all the nesting and preparation that goes on before giving birth, you might not have time. Just know that you’ll be sore and tired after giving birth. So a DIY project will likely be the last thing on your mind. Witch hazel’s anti-inflammatory properties reduce the swelling, and it tightens up the skin to reduce the overall puffiness and any redness. Just apply a little witch hazel over the eyelid and under the eye or follow our instructions below to use witch hazel as a soothing eye mask. Tone Skin Witch hazel was used extensively by the Native Americans and early settlers for its beneficial medicinal properties. It is becoming important again as we search for more natural products and medicines without harmful chemicals.

Iauk, L., Lo Bue, A. M., Milazzo, I., Rapisarda, A., and Blandino, G. Antibacterial activity of medicinal plant extracts against periodontopathic bacteria. Phytother.Res 2003;17(6):599-604. View abstract. Witch-hazel may be sold as a semisolid ointment, cream, gel, or salve for topical use, [11] [14] and due to its astringent and antiseptic properties, has long been used to treat various skin conditions like acne. [15] [16] The ointment may ease discomfort from post-partum vaginal soreness and hemorrhoids. [11] [17] It is commonly used to treat diaper rash in infants, and may reduce symptoms of inflammation from minor skin injuries. [11] A 2012 review (updated in October 2020) found little evidence of effectiveness from local cooling treatments (including witch-hazel pads) applied to the perineum following childbirth to relieve pain. [18] Folk medicine [ edit ]Freeze the suppository for 1-2 hours until it is fully frozen. Place the bowl into the freezer, making sure it’s covered in plastic wrap.The suppository is good to use once it’s firm to the touch and doesn’t give when you press it. Discard your gloves and wash your hands a final time. Use warm water and soap, and scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds before drying them off with a clean towel. The suppository should have dissolved, but you may experience a little leakage as you move about. Wear a pad if this happens to you to keep the cocoa butter from getting on your clothes. [12] X Research source

It comes from the bark and leaves of a shrub and often used as a liquid compound, although you can get it as an herb from larger herb shops. Although you’ll want to generously apply the aloe vera and witch hazel to the sanitary napkin, don’t overdo it and oversaturate the pad. This can reduce how well the pad absorbs postpartum bleeding, resulting in leaks and a big messy cleanup. Yet, even though the anti-inflammatory properties of witch hazel are well documented, its use for treating sore throats is based solely on anecdotal evidence.Noted in Ernest Thompson Seton, The Book of Woodcraft and Indian Lore [ Wikidata] (1921:422), but rare. The tannins in witch hazel could help ease your symptoms. Remember that effectiveness remains unproven, and there isn't much data on long-term safety either. Anyone desiring to use witch hazel in small amounts orally should search for preparations not containing isopropyl alcohol. Summary Like anything topical, although not common, witch hazel can irritate the skin, so it is important to start with a small amount and see how your skin reacts before using it on larger areas.