Aromatherapy is the healing art where essential oils are used to maintain health and well-being.
Chamomile essential oil is the most commonly used aromatic oil in aromatherapy.
Due to its antispasmodic, anti-biotic, anti-neuralgic, anti-depressant, analgesic and sedative properties, Chamomile oil is used for wide range of medical conditions.
This aromatic oil is derived from the flower of the Chamomile plant where oil is prepared by using the process of steam distillation.
Types of Chamomile Essential Oil: There are basically two varieties of chamomile oils- German and Roman Chamomile essential oil. Both of these varieties have similar medicinal properties but different in their chemical composition and other properties.
GERMAN CHAMOMILE ESSENTIAL OIL:
German chamomile oil, also known as blue chamomile is extracted from Matricaria chamomilla, which is mostly cultivated in Egypt, France, Europe and Hungary. Marticaria chamomilla consists of delicate feathery leaves. It has a sweet, straw like fragrance and is dark blue in color.
The main components of German Chamomile essential oil are azulene, Bisabolene Oxide-A, Bisabolol Oxide-A and B and Alpha Bisabolol.
ROMAN CHAMOMILE ESSENTIAL OIL:
The Roman Chamomile Essential Oil is found in France, Germany, Italy and Morocco. It is a small perennial herb having daisy like white flowers. It has a sweet, apple like fragrance and is light blue in color.
It consists of ingredients such as Beta Pinene, Campene, Propyl Angelate, Gamma Terpinene, Butyl Angelate, Caryophyllene and Myrcene.
Therapeutic Properties of Chamomile Essential Oil:
Chamomile Essential oil has a wide range of therapeutic properties such as analgesic, anti-spasmodic, anti-infectious, anti-phlogistic, sedative, digestive, bactericidal, carminative (expels wind), vaso-constrictive and anti-allergic.
Roman Chamomile oil has a more calming effect and has emenagogue effects, whereas the German Chamomile essential oil acts as an anti-inflammatory agent due the presence of Azulene.
Some of the medicinal uses of Chamomile oil are:
Mental Effects: Chamomile essential oil is used to calm and relax the mind and body. It eases anxiety, fear, worries, anger and tension during any physical and mental distress.
It helps in treating nervousness and sleeplessness.
Roman chamomile oil has a soothing effect on irritated and teething baby and can also be used in children when they feel irritable and impatient.
Physical Effects: Chamomile oil has a nervine action which relieves neuralgic pains such as toothache, earache, headache. It is a gentle relaxant for menstrual cramps and menopause. It is good for gall bladder infections, throat problems and allergies. It is effective in treating other digestive conditions such as gastritis, peptic ulcers, inflammatory bowels and colitis. It is useful for genito-urinary infections treating urinary stones and bladder inflammation.
Skin Effects: Chamomile essential oil has miraculous action on skin. It soothes red, dry and irritated skin and has a calming effect on allergies, psoriasis, eczema and other dry skin conditions. It has a cleansing action, hence used for boils, ulcers, blisters, burns and inflamed wounds. It is known to stimulate tissue regeneration, improve tissue strength and elasticity.
Precautions:
Chamomile Essential oil is non-toxic and non-irritant. It contains emmenagogue properties (an agent which increases menstrual flow), hence check with your doctor before using it during pregnancy.
