Ingredient of the Month: Chamomile
5th August 2020
Time to explore and celebrate one of the ingredients that makes up our MASAJ Blends - no-nonsense aromatherapy bought to you by MASAJ Co-Founder Alice, Clinical Aromatherapist in-training.
This month we’re focusing on chamomile - a boring ingredient that we all think we know rather well, but which holds a number of secrets, making it one of our most highly valued ingredients…
Chamomile - something we’ve all probably got in our homes, lurking in sad-looking teabags at the back of cupboards, in baby lotion, or perhaps even after-sun. It’s likely you know it as a soothing, almost child-like ingredient - inoffensive and mild - even slightly boring.
However, there’s alot more than meets the eye - and I’m here to share what I’ve learned about this deceptively complex ingredient, and why it’s so very valuable to us here at MASAJ.
Background
There are three commonly used varieties of Chamomile - we use two of them in just one of our blends! Both German Chamomile (Matricaria Recutita - also known as ‘Blue Chamomile’) and Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum Nobile - also known as ‘Garden Chamomile’) can be found in our wonderfully botanical blend Watershed (No.4 on our Blends Menu).
Native to Europe, Chamomile is a gloriously fragrant, low-growing herb, with feathery leaves and daisy-like flowers that grow on a single stem, as illustrated above by our designer @sophiebansal. Chamomile essential oil is steam-distilled from the dried flower heads - as is the case with most flower oils - and has an unusually complex aroma, somehow both fruity and herbal at once. It’s this quality which makes it an interesting ingredient to use from a scent and emotional perspective.
Unfortunately, Chamomile (especially German ‘Blue’ Chamomile) is incredibly expensive - when buying high quality pure oils from a reputable supplier, it’s not uncommon to pay upwards of £30 for just 5ml. When blending our oils, I live in near constant fear of dropping the Chamomile bottles!
Properties
However, like all aromatherapy ingredients - while the scent (and the emotions elicited) are a crucial part of its charms, it’s the therapeutic effects of Chamomile that place it centre stage for us.
Chamomile is non irritating and non-sensitising, making it a perfect ingredient for those with sensitive skin or skin conditions - many studies have shown it’s effective use on a range of conditions including acne, eczema, psoriasis, insect bites, wounds and allergic skin reactions such as hives (urticaria).
Several studies have also shown evidence for Chamomile’s positive influence on amenorrhoea (lack of menstruation), UTIs, and cystitis, dysmenorrhoea (painful menstruation), as well as the ability to reduce inflammation, aid digestive issues and ease aches and pains in muscles, joints and tendons.
On to emotional effects - and a crash-course in chemical aromatherapy: Esters are chemical compounds which are created when acids and alcohols combine. Esters also happen to be the most calming, relaxing and balancing of all the chemical constituents - they’re found in abundance in Bergamot, Valerian, Lavender, Clary Sage and most importantly of all - both Roman and German Chamomile. It’s these components which cause all varieties of Chamomile to have such a profound effect on the nervous system - easing stress, calming nervous tension, and aiding relaxation. One of the reasons why Chamomile is often found in Rescue Remedies, bed-time teas, and anti-anxiety essential oil blends - it’s unarguably one of the most important ingredients in any aromatherapist’s toolkit for dealing with stressed, anxious or nervous clients.
Applications
Being such a stable and safe ingredient, Chamomile has a wide range of uses for both body and mind, and is particularly safe for use on children. As with all pure essential oils, regardless of some of the advice commonly found online / on Instagram - never apply undiluted to the skin or take internally - and if you’re pregnant or planning on using aromatherapy products on children under the age of 12, consult your doctor or a trained aromatherapist for advice, just to be on the safe side.
To reap the benefits of Chamomile’s wonderfully calming effects on the skin, pick up a moisturiser, cleanser or body oil like our No.4 Watershed Studio Oil and apply daily - in a very short amount of time this will help to moisturise damaged skin and calm irritations and sensitivity. Using a body oil is great as it allows you to gently work into any areas of muscle pain, and the soothing fragrance will linger throughout the day or night.
As for the mind - the easiest and safest way to take advantage of the esters found in abundance in Chamomile is to diffuse the pure essential oil, breaking down the esters and making them easier for the body to absorb. Our No.4 Watershed Element Oil is perfect for this - simply burn in a diffuser or add ~6 drops to a hot bath to benefit from the steam inhalation of these powerful oils.
Next time you make yourself a soothing pre-bedtime cup of Chamomile tea, I hope you remember the magic properties this ingredient holds - not such a boring option now, is it?