Have you ever attended a session of aromatherapy with chamomile essential oil and felt relaxed and de-stressed? Or have you ever tried sipping chamomile tea and felt refreshed? If your answer is yes, then you already know why this essential oil needs to be a part of your beauty products. However, for those who haven’t yet experienced the bliss of the wondrous natural oil, it is time you read this article and find out the various uses and benefits of chamomile oil, the most widely used aromatic oil for aromatherapies, and this is so for many reasons!
What is chamomile oil and how is it derived?
The apple-scented chamomile oil is a popular natural sedative that is used widely across the entire planet. It is derived by extracting natural and beneficial ingredients from the chamomile flower. It was discovered by the Egyptians. They used the chamomile flower and its extracts for the process of mummification due to its ability to preserve. It was also used as a natural cure for a fever and as a floral cosmetic.
Read more about what are essential oils and their uses here.
There are two types of chamomile oils available in the market. The German chamomile oil and the Roman chamomile oil. They both are derived from different chamomile plants but via the same process and can be used interchangeably. The main difference between the German and the Roman chamomile lies in their chemical composition.
Roman Chamomile Essential Oil: This version of chamomile oil is light blue in color. It is mostly known for its anti-fungal and anti-spasmodic properties. Like the German chamomile oil, Roman chamomile oil is extremely effective for inflammation on the skin, arthritis, headaches, migraines, cold and flu and other skin and health related issues. It exhibits its the best properties as a natural calming agent and aids sore muscles extremely well. It is extremely useful for teething, temper tantrums, and colic in children.
German Chamomile Essential Oil: The German chamomile oil is deep blue in color due to the presence of chamazulene. It helps in fighting skin problems and promotes a healthy skin. This version of chamomile oil is more potent and is rich in active ingredients and helps in stimulating kidneys, gallbladder, liver and removes toxins from the body. Compared to its counterpart Roman chamomile oil, it is a better anti-inflammatory agent due to high concentrations of Azulene. It is a bliss for women suffering from menopausal problems or PMS.
The good part is both these oils can be used in place of one another unless it is a major problem you are dealing with. The chamomile plant not only has medicinal benefits but is also advantageous for your garden. Besides adding the beautiful, fragrant flowers to your garden, the plan also encourages healthy growth of other surrounding plants and heals the sick ones nearby. Without further ado, let us jump to the benefits and uses of chamomile essential oil.
Uses & Benefits of Chamomile Essential Oil
1. Treat your anxiety and bid goodbye to stress
Chamomile oil is known to uplift the mood and rejuvenate the spirit. Because of this, it is amongst the widely used oils in aromatherapy. The sweet aroma helps you calm down and relax. Also, the oil is known for its sedating and tranquilizing properties.
Roman chamomile is also used for prenatal massages to soothe the mother and help her relax. However, it is advised to check with the doctor if you can use the oil for massage. You could also help calm your hyperactive child down by mixing it with lemongrass oil and massaging your child with the mixture. Because children tend to be more susceptible to the effects of essential oils and therefore more sensitive, always consult your doctor first and use the oil in more diluted forms.
As per the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, a research study published in 2010 claims that one of the best benefits of chamomile oil is that it is helpful in the treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder. This is because it serves as a natural nervine, or a medicine used to relax the nerves.
Having a regular treatment for anxiety does more than calm the mind. An excess of stress has been shown to have marked physiological effects on the body through blood pressure and hormone production. Specifically, the hormone cortisol, a stress hormone, can be a source of serious negative long term health effects if produced in excess such as muscle wasting and hypoclycemia. This is why taking advantage of the stress-reducing benefits of chamomile oil is a vital part of your overall physical and mental health.
2. Say no to skin problems and acne issues
Do we all not long for something subtle that could heal those acnes and not harm the skin a bit? Well, chamomile oil is the answer. Dab a few drops of this oil, using a q-tip or a cotton swab, topically over the acne and see your acne prone skin heal and recover.
What’s more? It reduces the inflammation and redness and gives you a scar free skin. So, it is time to say no to adult acne with essential oils now! And that’s not it. This essential oil is an antidote for skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema.
3. A strong analgesic and anti-neuralgic
Suffering from pain in your knee due to arthritis? Not anymore. Bid goodbye to pain with the benefits of chamomile oil. Warm up the oil a little and dab it on the affected area in circular motion. This should help ease inflammation and alleviate pain in the joints. You could use chamomile essential oil to ease pain caused due to bone injuries.
Moreover, use this essential oil to reduce headaches and migraine attacks naturally. Say no to pain due to sinusitis or colds with the topical application of this oil on your forehead, temples, behind the neck and wrists. Also, on using the oil in a diffuser and inhaling the fumes, you can clear the respiratory tract, unclog a stuffy nose and decongest the chest, fully taking advantage of the benefits of chamomile oil.
This oil is also very effective in alleviating the pain of neuralgia by constricting vessels surrounding the cranial nerve.
4. Bid adieu to stomach disorders
One of the many benefits of chamomile oil is that it promotes a healthy appetite. Also, it is a strong stomachic and hepatic. It assists in a healthy digestion process and ensures the proper functioning of the stomach. The oil helps the digestive system by encouraging adequate secretion of digestive juices and maintains a healthy liver.
Another interesting aspect of using the benefits of chamomile oil is its property as a cholagogues agent. The oil helps in increasing the secretion of bile, hydrochloric acid, and enzymes required to break down starch to amino acids. This helps reduce stomach irritation and can detoxify the body, giving you that energy boost you need throughout the day.
To add to its list of uses, let us also tell you how it can help you keep the stomach disorders at bay. Be it gallbladder stones, constipation, diarrhea or gastrointestinal issues, chamomile oil keeps you safe and prevents from these disorders. It helps in controlling boating and relieves the gas that gets accumulated in the abdomen. Moreover, it kills the harmful microbes in the gut preventing infections.
5. No more silent or smelly flatulence in public
Yes, that’s true! If you are prone to gastric issues and are addicted to antacids, it is time to switch to a much safer and a natural option to treat your problem. And that solution is the chamomile oil. Firstly, the oil is an excellent carminative that relieves flatulence in the stomach, helps in expelling gas from the stomach and intestines and curbs any additional gas formation in the body.
All you need to do is inhale a few drops of chamomile oil using a diffuser and viola, you should be free of gas soon.
6. The vulnerary agent healing your skin
Chamomile oil is extremely popular in the world of cosmetics. Essential oils are often used in various beauty products because of their ability to diminish scar marks and spots. Moreover, the oil can be topically applied onto minor cuts, bruises, and wounds to protect them from being infected and stimulate blood flow to encourage a quick healing process.
7. Brings out the younger version of you
Who does not want a younger and fairer looking skin that’s free of wrinkles and fine lines? Fortunately, this magical oil is the answer to all your beauty needs. From helping your get rid of crow’s feet to dark circles, regular application of chamomile oil takes care of it all.
It helps in even tone the skin and eases out the blemishes and dark spots. The oil promotes a healthy blood circulation that leads to skin regeneration and repairing that leaves you looking refreshed and younger.
8. Let those luscious locks shine
Have you been losing luster from your gorgeous locks recently due to pollution? It’s time to replace your hair-protecting serum with the benefits of chamomile oil. The next time you take a refreshing head bath, just dab a drop or two of this wondrous oil on your palm and apply it instead of your serum on your towel dried hair. You will notice instant shine and the oil brightening up your hair.
Chamomile oil is also an effective solution for dandruff. It soothes the scalp, brings down irritation and hydrates the pores to reduce cracking and flaking. Moreover, the oil is a natural medication that can be used to kill lice and mites, keeping the hair free from damage or any infections.
9. You won’t need pills to remove toxins from your body and to fight fever
Both of the types of chamomile essential oil induce perspiration. This process helps in removal of toxins and unwanted infection-causing agents from the body. Moreover, the oil acts as a febrifuge that helps in cooling down the body and provides effective relief from fever. Even though a fever is a sign that your body is actively fighting an infection or virus, a high fever could easily be dangerous. That’s why you should take advantage of the benefits of chamomile oil to help bring down fevers if they get too high.
10. No more attacks by microbes or worms whatsoever!
The chamomile oil is blessed with natural antibiotic, antiseptic, disinfectant, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic properties. Both the varieties of the oil do not let microbial infections develop in the body. Moreover, the oil is potent and strong enough to eliminate existing microbial infections in the body.
Another aspect of this wondrous oil is its ability to kill intestinal worms such as hookworm or tapeworm, thus making it a strong vermifuge agent.
11. Ensure a healthy urinary tract
Chamomile oil is a rich diuretic. It cleanses kidneys and the urinary tract by inducing a better blood circulation and urination. It detoxifies the blood and kidneys, thus enhancing their overall health and helping you keep unwanted medical conditions away through the benefits of chamomile oil.
12. No more cry-babies
If your little baby cries and makes a fuss when you try and put him or her to sleep, it is time you use the rich powers of chamomile oil to help your child sleep. The oil is ideal for infants, toddlers as well as preschoolers who have a hard time sleeping through the night.
All you need to do is add about 3 to 4 drops of chamomile oil to the baby oil and give your infant a comforting massage. Alternatively, you could mix the oil in their bath water or add a few drops to the baby’s diffuser at night. The biochemicals present in the oil soothe the senses and trigger sleep hormones that encourage deep and restful sleep through the night.
How safe is it to use chamomile essential oils?
In most cases, it is safe to use chamomile essential oil. As mentioned earlier, both the Romand and German kinds of chamomile oil can generally be used interchangeably although there are some key differences explained below. However, we will always recommend that you do a patch test before using chamomile oil to make sure that you or your child is not allergic to the oil. Also, it is advised that you mix the oil with a carrier oil like jojoba or olive oil before the topical application on the skin, as essential oils tend to be very potent and can be irritating if directly applied to the skin.
However, there are some differences between the two types of oils that should be understood. Roman chamomile oil can be topically applied, ingested or inhaled while German chamomile oil should not be ingested. Also, if you are allergic to plants like ragweed, daisies, and marigolds, we strictly advise you to never use roman chamomile oil as it can induce further allergic reactions.
For those who do not wish to start using the oil right away, you could begin by trying the chamomile tea.
Note: Do not use chamomile essential oil if you are a pregnant woman or a nursing mother. It can have an unwanted impact on your pregnancy.
Surprised by the many amazing and useful benefits of chamomile oil? It is time you buy one and add it to your list of must-use daily products. You can buy the oil either at Amazon or from a local Walmart store.
Also, if you wish you can also prepare the oil by yourself at home. All you need is this quick recipe to make chamomile essential oil at home and you are all set to use the magical oil.
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