Does the brand of witch hazel matter?

[Ambivalent Dreams]

I was reading the wikipedia page on witch hazel and found that drug store brands contain alcohol and do not contain tannins. Is this the witch hazel I want for soothing the perineum after birth or should I buy something from somewhere else? (Alcohol sounds very OUCH!) Maybe the health food store would carry the other form that has tannins and no alcohol?

[terra-pip]

I use TM Dickinsons..I get it from a CVS. It does have alcohol but I've never had any stings from it. I've never torn or had stiches but I have had some skid marks. And some pretty ouchie hemmoroids after birth and never had a problem with it.

[mwherbs]

it is what is available simply an will reduce swelling - I recommend it for hemorrhoids
if you want something else you could get the herb and use it as a strong tea- generally the herbs used for an after bath and for sitz baths are high in tannins or are known for healing properties-