I have yet to find someone who can’t enjoy settling down to a nice cup of tea towards the end of a long workday or for breakfast. Even in the US, the annual return as of 2015 with regards to tea (and tea-related products) was worth around $7 Billion and of that, about $700 000 was created by independent and private label brands. So while it may be true that there are a lot of brands to compete with in terms of selling tea in the US, and only 1% of the market share is in the hands of smaller or private label brands – there’s still a good chance at making a positive turnover given that you have a good product, a unique brand and of course, the luck of the market. But beyond being a veritable cash-cow for some, tea has widespread health benefits and has become a crucial part of leading a healthy lifestyle. As the concern around the quality of our healthcare systems grows, the emphasis on leading a healthier life has never been more important. Albeit due to rather draconian terms, a healthier lifestyle (most would agree) is always the better option. Prevent the problem and save a cure. However, tea is a lot more complicated than many would believe and the fact that there’s so much variety out there is both a blessing and a curse for start-up business owners. Finding the right ingredients and blends can take time and research will be your best friend in this process. Thankfully though, tea-drinking also comes with a long set of traditions and conventions that the experienced drinker can utilize to help navigate the business-end of this age-old commodity. Of all the tea blends available out there, Chamomile is definitely one of my favourites, but besides only being a great addition to tea in general, chamomile essential oil has superb healing properties that can be utilized in a variety of ways to treat everything from skin issues and scarring to general hair use and fragrancing among others. The oil is a must-have for aromatherapeutic uses and no massage therapist should be caught without it. So finding a way to capitalize on the benefits of chamomile shouldn’t be too difficult if you know how to use it and by understanding more about the general uses of chamomile essential oil, you can most definitely find a way to utilize it to your own benefit. With the tea market in the US alone being expected to grow to $24 Billion by 2024 and the continued rise of the health food and lifestyle trend, this means that there’s room for growth and even prosperity if you’re prepared for the ‘gold rush’.
What is Chamomile Essential Oil and How Is It Made?
It is often used in teas
Firstly, it’s important to note that there are two predominant types of Chamomile oil in existence and while it may easy for us to assume that they have the same kinds of properties, the truth is that they are two entirely different things and can be used for different purposes either medicinally or in various products. It’s also important for me to emphasize that both of these oils come from the same plant (different genus) and only really differ in terms of their chemical makeup. Many have argued over which is better than the other and the internet is filled with opposing ideas or arguments, but I’ll try and keep it simple. Basically, both the oils are created in the same manner, through a process known as steam distillation. In fact, chamomile flowers are some of the only flowers that are utilized in the steam distillation due to their hardy nature. The oil produced by German chamomile has a higher concentration of sesquiterpenes and terpenoids and therefore has a darker, bluer color than Roman chamomile oil. More specifically, Roman oil is comprised mainly of Alpha Pinene, Beta Pinene, Camphene, Sabinene, Myrcene, Gamma-Terpinene, Pinocarvone, Farnesol, Cineole, Propyl Angelate and Butyl Angelate. German Chamomile oil is comprised of Azulene, Alpha Bisabolol, Bisabolol Oxide-A, B and Bisabolene Oxide-A. This information is handy in case you suffer from any allergies or sensitivities. Due to the fact that German chamomile oil has a higher concentration of phytochemicals and other natural active ingredients, it is commonly sought after for medicinal use in treating both external and internal ailments. Due to the fact that Roman chamomile oil is milder, it is often used in teas and as a form of internal medicine but is effective in treating topical issues nonetheless. Essentially, I would recommend German chamomile essential oil for more ‘severe’ forms of ailment or illness due to the higher concentration, and Roman chamomile as more of a relaxant and in aromatherapeutic treatments. German chamomile is highly effective in treating inflammation as well as infectious diseases such as cystitis, cold, flu, malaria, parasitic worms, spasms as well as detoxifying the liver. While Roman chamomile can be used to treat most of the same issues and conditions, it’s simply less concentrated than German chamomile oil and therefore requires a larger dose or is best used in more general ways i.e. making a herbal tea and in general aromatherapeutic techniques.
Chamomile Essential Oil For Acne & Scarring
The oil penetrates into the skin which can help to stimulate the blood flow
Due to the fact that both German and Roman chamomile oil contains large amounts of terpenoids and sesquiterpenes amongst a variety of other active phytochemical ingredients, they are both highly effective at treating topical issues such as inflammation, scarring, and wounds in general. The same chemical makeup makes them highly effective natural tools and has often been utilized as a potent antimicrobial and antifungal treatment. Both Roman and German Essential oils can also be used as carminative, antispasmodic, sedative and anticatarrhal treatments and make awesome natural substitutes for a variety of different chemical produced pharmaceutical products. While I’m not saying pharmaceutical products aren’t effective, the truth is that some of us are more sensitive to the side-effects (which are actually just the ‘effects’) of these drugs and would prefer a milder, natural alternative. However, with regards to skin care in specific, I would recommend using German Chamomile oil and diluting it in a suitable carrier oil such as jojoba oil (1 drop Essential: 2 drops Carrier) and simply applying it to your skin via a clean cotton ball. The potent natural antiseptic and antifungal properties of the chamomile oil help to kill off any germs or bacteria that may be lingering on the surface of the skin. This helps to reduce the chances of a wound becoming infected and can also help to keep the wound clean during the healing process (allowing for a swifter healing process). Besides this, the oil also helps to penetrate deeply into the skin which can help to stimulate the blood flow and flush toxins from the bloodstream as well as increasing the flow of blood, thus allowing more red blood cells to clot around wounds allowing for a better healing process. German Chamomile, in particular, has been praised for its natural cicatrisant properties and is frequently used by those who have sensitive skin to treat acne scars and the appearance of stretch marks.
Chamomile Essential Oil for Skin Lightening
Skin Lightening
A lot of us may have very little knowledge or understanding about skin whitening products, but in places such as Africa, Japan, China, and India – skin whitening forms a surprisingly integral part of the culture. There are many reasons for why this is – but I’m not going to get into that at the moment. The fact of the matter is that there is a wide variety of different skin whitening techniques and products available on the market. Anyone who is interested in the process but doesn’t necessarily understand how it all works, is vulnerable to exploitation, as not all of these products or techniques are safe. So, doing some research and setting some boundaries is always a good idea when trying something new and making sure you know what you’re looking for will count in your favor. The most important thing I can stress is that you should try and avoid products or procedures that make use of hydroquinone. It’s a potentially hazardous chemical that has been directly linked to the formation of skin cancer when exposed to UV light and will generally cause skin irritation in the form of redness and itching when applied topically. The other issue that is generally the result of using this chemical on a regular basis is that in blending it with other chemical ingredients, you may cause reactions on the surface of your skin that could also lead to irritation, discoloration, and other negative side-effects. So for those of out there who are trying to achieve a more balanced tone or complexion, or simply wish to have lighter skin – I would highly recommend looking into German chamomile as a safer, natural alternative. To help lighten the skin or hair, simply add 4-5 teaspoons of dried chamomile flowers (specify German Chamomile) to a cup of boiling water and allow the mixture to settle for 10 minutes. Strain the herbs from the cup and add one tablespoon of honey and Blue German Chamomile Oil to the mixture. Simply apply the mixture to the skin or hair and (if possible) stay in the sunlight for at least 15 minutes before rinsing it out. Don’t do this too often, or you could cause your skin to become discolored. But once to three times a week may is advisable at first. You can also store the mixture in the refrigerator as is, for further use. It’s safe, healthy, natural, effective and affordable.
Chamomile Essential Oil for Babies
Chamomile oil can be used to help children sleep
Generally speaking, we advise everyone to avoid the use of any and all essential oils during pregnancy or on children who are younger than the age of 8. While it is true that these natural alternatives are a lot safer than certain drugs, they are still highly potent natural products and can have a negative effect on sensitive or young children and their hormonal balance. That being said, certain essential oils are considered safe for use on children (in small amounts and once diluted correctly). Both Roman and German Chamomile oil can be used to help treat children who are suffering from sleep loss and it works more effectively when blended with lavender oil and used in either a vaporizer or applied in very small amounts on a cotton ball. Some have even claimed that the oil can be used to help relieve the symptoms of colic in young children and can be used in much the same way to do so. I would always consult a medical practitioner before using any essential oils during pregnancy or on young children, however, if you’re intent on trying it out – be sure to do so in small, diluted amounts first.
Chamomile Essential Oil Scent Described
Chamomile has a sweet, almost apple-like earthy scent
It’s never easy to describe something like a scent in words – we can only really hope to paint some kind of an abstract canvas in the hopes that a few keywords resonate with you. In other words, if you’re really intent on smelling chamomile – I’d recommend you get your hands on some actual chamomile. From what I’ve experienced of the oil, the plant, and the tea respectively, I would say that chamomile has a sweet, almost apple-like earthy scent with fixative properties (lasts a long time) and floral high notes. Very delightful indeed.
To conclude, essential oils have played an important in shaping many of the medical practices and medicinal products that we use today as they form one of the earliest foundations of modern medicine that we know of today. In fact, Chamomile (both German and Roman varieties) essential oil has been used for over 2000 years in ancient healing practices and is still popular today. I think that standing the test of time proves that there’s definitely something to take from this natural medicine and it’s easy to include in your daily life because it’s affordable, a delight to smell and easy to use – not to mention that it’s highly effective. Chamomile essential oil is perfect for cold winters and stressful summers and is a must-have for anyone leading a homeopathic lifestyle.
