Post 193

Chamomile

We have both chamomile flowers and powder. If you like to make your own cosmetic products or powdered supplements, the ground up version is really nice.

Chamomile is not for everyone however. Chamomile as an ingredient in a tea blend is not usually a problem for people, but if you have ragweed allergies, you should avoid this flower a single full-strength tea. There is always some debate on whether the Roman or German chamomile is best. Well, the medicinal properties are virtually identical, so buy the one that is less expensive and this goes for the essential oils as well.

Chamomile is an anti-inflammatory, sedative, a bitter, anti-spasmodic, anti-nausea and will often prevent vomiting. Consumed after dinner it can sooth an upset stomach and improve digestion, before bed it promotes a more restful sleep. Even though it is a bright yellow flower, highest quality essential oil is blue. Blue results from the component azulene. Azulene is very soothing to skin and a great cosmetic ingredient.

Here are few points of interest for uses of chamomile flowers-

INFUSION:  beneficial for irritable bowel, indigestion, and a poor appetite. It relaxes stress, anxiety and insomnia. Add this to a baby’s evening bath for better sleep and to calm

OINTMENT:  use for insect bites, itchy psoriasis and eczema, and for women- to reduce vulvae irritation and inflammation

TINCTURE:  for a viable tincture, use about a 50/50 ratio of herb to alcohol because it is so light and puffy. Use a dropper full in any tea or simply hot water for calming tension, indigestion, and before bed for insomnia. Add 1 dropper full to prepared Sleepy Flowers Tea at bedtime for a turbo charged effect

INHALATION:  for colds, fever, and congestion, use a tablespoon as a facial steam, tenting your head and breathing in and out for 10 minutes.

EYEWASH:  use a strong tea (decoction) for an eye wash and compress for conjunctivitis, eye strain, and irritated eyes. Add 10 drops of tincture in water for a hot or cold eye compress

LOTION:  add essential oil of chamomile for your lotions or homemade lotion/body butter recipes, for eczema, itchy skin, as a softening anti-aging application, or in face masks for moisturizing. Add 5 drops to 50 ml of distilled organic witch hazel and apply to rashes, eczema, skin irritations or mix into a clay mask made with aloe vera juice as a paste. Apply mask, allow to dry, wash off, apply toner followed with moisturizer for better product penetration for dry or mature skin types.

CAUTION:  Although chamomile is used to soothe and soften, it can cause dermatitis in some people, especially if they have a ragweed allergy. Do not use the essential oil during pregnancy as it can promote uterine contractions. If your delivery is late, or it is within the week, combine chamomile with red raspberry leaf to promote birth, drinking 3 or more cups a day.