About Chamomile Oil

Chamomile is a flower which has got a yellow or white bulging center and there are many petals surrounding the plant. You will see that plenty of chamomile varieties grow along the roadside. Chamomile grows really fast and sometimes farmers have to control their growth, so as to retain and maintain the productivity in the fields. Generally, chamomile plants are of two types and these include German Chamomile and Roman Chamomile. The former one is annual plant which has got a solid, high dome shaped centers. It grows to a height of 24-38 inches, whereas the Roman one is more or less a perennial plant which has got the solid, lower centre and it stays lower to the ground.

You can easily recognize the flower due to its deep blue colors, when it is distilled as an essential oil. It has got this color due to presence of a component called azulene. It’s also very hard for anyone to pin down the aroma of this oil. Chamomile essential oil smells of a sweet apple that has been oxidized. Also, sometimes it smells fruity or herbal depending upon the location it is harvested. In aromatherapy it is used as a middle aromatherapy. Chamomile essential oil has been in use since hundreds of years ago. Egyptians were among the first to use this oil to cure acute fever. The word “chamomile” is derived from a Greek word “Chamomila” which means 'Ground Apple'. Romans used this oil in beverages and in case of incense stick. In middle ages, it was used in making beers.

Like various other oils, chamomile essential oil has got many uses. Its calming effect on mind and body is very impressive. Just by infusing some chamomile flowers in boiling water and drinking it before you sleep is a perfect remedy to treat insomnia. The main effects of chamomile essential oil includes being antispasmodic, calming the central nervous system, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory and calming to the stomach.

Chamomile essential oil is used widely in massage blends, bath oils and skin care creams. It has also got some good pain relieving qualities that makes it good for teething pain in infants. Roman chamomile essential oil is peaceful, harmonizing and soothing to the spirit. Chamomile also mixes well with lemon, grapefruit, and rose lavender, geranium and clay stage.

The German chamomile essential oil has got almost the same healing properties as that of the roman type; however the difference being that it is more intense and strong than the Roman one. In case of gastrointestinal spasms and headaches, they are more effective than German chamomile.

Although this essential oil is among the gentlest of all essential oils and it can be used on children liberally, it’s always preferred that you use it in a diluted form on the skin. Too much of the oil can cause allergy symptoms, as it is mainly derived from ragweed family. You should also not use chamomile in case you are allergic to marigold, daisy as well as chrysanthemum.