Why is it named witch hazel?

Witch hazel gets its name from the Old English Word "wiche," meaning "bend" or "to be flexible," reflecting the plant's pliable branches. Historically, it was also associated with witchcraft and folk medicine, as it was believed to possess magical properties for healing. The term "hazel" refers to the similarity of the witch hazel's branches to those of the hazel tree. Thus, the name combines both its physical characteristics and its cultural associations.