Chamomile Oil

Chamomile Oil Benefits

Did you know that chamomile is one of the oldest and most widely used medicinal plants worldwide? Not only that, but chamomile is also one of the most researched and well-documented plants and has been used in a dizzying array of therapeutic applications. Chamomile essential oil is derived from the flower of the chamomile plant, a member of the Asteraceae/Compositae family. It's interesting to note that there are two different varieties of chamomile:

• Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile or Anthemis nobilis)
• German chamomile (Matricaria recutita or Chamomilla recutita)

Though their chemical compositions differ somewhat, Roman and German chamomile share the bulk of their therapeutic applications. From an aroma perspective, chamomile essential oil may be best described as having medium-to-strong middle notes reminiscent of apples and sweet straw. It is a delicate, sweet herbal aroma that is equally warm, gentle, and soothing.

Benefits of Chamomile Essential Oil

• Relaxes the Mind
• Supports Anxiety & Depression
• Pain Reliever
• Promotes Restful Sleep
• Supports Digestive Health

Therapeutic Properties of Chamomile Essential Oil

Chamomile essential oil has powerful therapeutic properties such as being antibacterial, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antispasmodic, digestive, calming, mood-enhancing, soothing, and relaxing.

Some of the common uses for chamomile oil include promoting healthy mood balance; relieving symptoms of anxiety and digestive upset, such as indigestion, nausea, or gas; promoting wound healing, including cuts, scrapes, sores, burns, and ulcers; easing skin conditions like eczema or rashes; helping downregulate inflammation; relieving pain, such as backaches, neuralgia, arthritis, and sore muscles; and promoting sleep. Chamomile can also be effectively used to quell allergy symptoms associated with hay fever. Additionally, chamomile may be recommended to promote heart health, treat colds, sore throats, and hoarseness, and calm children with ADD and ADHD.
 

Using Essential Oils

Chamomile essential oil may be used in a variety of ways, including via inhalation with a diffuser, or it can be diluted and used in a spray bottle as a room vaporizer to help freshen the air, lift the mood, calm anxious feelings, and improve stress resilience. Diffused chamomile oil is especially excellent for promoting restful sleep.

Chamomile oil can also be used in topical applications. In this case, it would be diluted in your favourite carrier oil. It can then be massaged onto the skin, added to a warm and soothing bath, added to body lotion or moisturizer, or used on a warm compress to soothe aching joints, sore muscles, period cramps, back pain, and more.