Chamomile, the next ingredient that we will be viewing under the herbal spotlight, is an aromatic that is much beloved worldwide for her ability to calm and soothe, from infancy through to old age. Also called chamomili or χαμομήλι in Greek, Roman chamomile, the variety that we will be focussing on, is botanically referred to as Anthemis Nobilis.
In Greek, the word chamomile means apple of the ground, due to her fresh apple scent and low-growing nature. She is one of the most ancient and versatile medicinal herbs known to mankind, having been used medicinally for around 5000 years, chamomile’s use was noted in hieroglyphic records, in addition to an ancient Anglo-Saxon manuscript, and was commonly used by ancient Greek physicians. Hippocrates was the first to mention chamomile and recommended it for purification, protection and to fight colds. Another ancient Greek physician, Dioscorides, prescribed chamomile for female reproductive issues.
Chamomile is well known for her sedative and relaxant properties, a tisane made from her blossoms is commonly used as an aid for sleep and for stomach disorders. This may ring a bell for those of you familiar with Beatrix Potter’s famous children’s story, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, “….. Peter was not very well during the evening. His mother put him to bed, and made some chamomile tea and she gave a dose of it to Peter.”
Topically, chamomile is valued for her ability to calm skin irritations, reduce inflammation, and pacify stressed or reactive skin. Research indicates that chamomile helps block signals in the body known as prostaglandins, which are responsible for inflammation. This makes chamomile a great ingredient for people who have sensitive skin, as well as inflammatory conditions like rosacea.
Because chamomile has anti-inflammatory properties, it helps to protect against long-term and short-term skin inflammation. Specifically, in the case of sunburns, it helps reduce DNA damage caused by too much UV exposure. This is why a cold compress of brewed chamomile tea placed on the sunburn can aid in a quicker recovery, or even more effective, a tepid bath using our Epione Therapeutic Bath Soak.
She facilitates the healing and repair of wounds. Possessing antimicrobial properties ranging from antibacterial to antifungal – a real boon for acne sufferers. Whether we’re talking eczema, diaper rash, candida, or burns – chamomile calms, heals and restores tissue functionality. Recent studies suggest that chamomile caused complete wound healing faster than corticosteroids.
Chamomile also decreases the signs of ageing and has long been used for medicinal purposes thanks to its abundance of flavonoids and phytochemicals. These nutrients are known to fight against harmful free radicals and speed up cellular regeneration, thereby improving the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and scars.
Considering the plethora of topical benefits that she has to offer, it only made sense to incorporate calming chamomile into the formulations for our Hygieia Facial Cleansing Powder and Epione Therapeutic Bath Soak.
