Chamomile – Essential Oil

Chamomile (Anthemis noblis)

Often drunk as a herbal tea to calm and soothe. Both chamomile and lavender have analgesic properties; chamomile is a better oil to use for dull aches or pain, but try using lavender for sharp and piecing pain.

This oil was revered by the Egyptians as an herbal medicine. There are many varieties of Chamomile; the Roman variety being the most soothing because of its high ester content. German chamomile is blue due to its chamazulene content, which also makes it a useful anti-inflammatory.

Uses include:

Insomnia and anxiety                            

Acne    

Digestive problems

Pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) / Pre-menstrual tension (PMT)                                            

Period pains

Cystitis

Earache   

Painful breasts / chapped nipples                                       

Bedwetting    

Tension headaches / migraines                       

Aches and pains

Eczema

Teething

Cautions

None known.

Insomnia and anxiety

Chamomile calms the emotions. 

Directions for use

Bath: Add up to 5 drops of pure essential oil to a bath of water and lie back and relax.

Pillow: Put a couple of drops of pure essential oil onto your pillow when you go to bed. For anxiety during the day put a drop of oil on a handkerchief and smell as and when necessary. 

Massage: Mix 20 ml of carrier oil (sweet almond, grape seed) to 10 drops of pure essential oil.

Oil burners: Sprinkle up to 5 drops of pure essential oil onto water and light the burner.  

Inhalation: Boil 1 litre of water and pour into a bowl, add up to 10 drops of pure essential oil, place a towel over your head and allow steam to rise and inhale.

Acne                        

Soothing and anti-inflammatory.    

Directions for use

Compress: Add 1-2 drops of pure essential oil to 1 litre of warm water. Lay sterile material on the surface of the water thus attracting a film of oil onto the cloth. Apply the material onto the affected area and leave for 10 minutes. Repeat daily.

Facial Massage: Mix 1 drop of pure essential oil to 2 teaspoons of almond or grape seed oil, or any other carrier oil and rub into face.

Inhalation: Boil 1 litre of water and pour into a bowl, add up to 10 drops of pure essential oil, place a towel over your head and allow steam to rise onto face. Do not do if the skin is very sore as the steam may ‘burn’ already painful skin.

Digestive problems            

Anti-spasmodic. Use for colic, flatulence, and indigestion.

Directions for use

Bath: Add up to 5 drops of pure essential oil to a bath of water and lie back and relax.

Massage: Mix 20 ml of carrier oil (sweet almond, grape seed) to 10 drops of pure essential oil and massage into abdominal area.

Pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) / Pre-menstrual tension (PMT)               

Soothes, is a mild antidepressant and takes the edge off irritated nerves. 

Directions for use

Bath: Add up to 5 drops of pure essential oil to a bath of water and lie back and relax.

Handkerchief: Put a couple of drops of pure essential oil onto a tissue or handkerchief and inhale as and when required.

Massage: Mix 20 ml of carrier oil (sweet almond, grape seed) to 10 drops of pure essential oil.

Oil burners: Sprinkle up to 5 drops of pure essential oil onto water and light the burner.  

Inhalation: Boil 1 litre of water and pour into a bowl, add up to 10 drops of pure essential oil, place a towel over your head and allow steam to rise and inhale.

Period pains

Anti-spasmodic.

Directions for use

Bath: Add up to 5 drops of pure essential oil to a bath of water and lie back and relax.

Massage: Mix 20 ml of carrier oil (sweet almond, grape seed) to 10 drops of pure essential oil and massage into abdominal area.

Cystitis

Diuretic properties ensure urine is flushed out of body.

Directions for use

Bath: Add up to 5 drops of pure essential oil to a bath of water and lie back and relax.

Massage: Mix 20 ml of carrier oil (sweet almond, grape seed) to 10 drops of pure essential oil.

Earache   

Do not put oil in ear and seek medical advice if the condition does not get better with 24 hours. 

Directions for use

Massage: Mix 20 ml of carrier oil (sweet almond, grape seed) to 10 drops of pure essential oil and rub into neck

Compress: Add 1-2 drops of pure essential oil to one litre of warm or hot water. Lay sterile material on the surface of the water thus attracting a film of oil onto the cloth. Apply the material onto the affected area and leave for 10 minutes.

Painful breasts / chapped nipples

This oil is soothing and is diuretic, which can be useful for swollen sore breasts. 

Directions for use

Compress: Add 1-2 drops of pure essential oil to 1 litre of warm/ hot water. Lay sterile material on the surface of the water thus attracting a film of oil onto the cloth. Apply the material onto the affected area and leave for 10 minutes.

Bedwetting

Diuretic properties ensure urine is flushed out of body.

Directions for use

Bath: Add up to 5 drops of pure essential oil to a bath of water and lie back and relax.

Massage: Mix 20 ml of carrier oil (sweet almond, grape seed) to 10 drops of pure essential oil.

Tension headaches / migraines                       

Acts as an analgesic.

Directions for use

Bath: Add up to 5 drops of pure essential oil to a bath of water and lie back and relax.

Handkerchief: Put a couple of drops of pure essential oil onto a tissue or handkerchief and inhale as and when required.

Massage: Mix 20 ml of carrier oil (sweet almond, grape seed) to 10 drops of pure essential oil.

Oil burners: Sprinkle up to 5 drops of pure essential oil onto water and light burner.  

Inhalation: Boil 1 litre of water and pour into a bowl, add up to 10 drops of pure essential oil, place a towel over your head and allow steam to rise and inhale.

Facial Massage: Mix 1 drop of pure essential oil to 2 teaspoons of almond or grape seed oil, or any other carrier oil and rub into face. Use daily.

Aches and pains

Acts as mild analgesic and is a better oil to use on dull aches and pains as opposed to sharp piecing pain when lavender is a better oil to use. On injuries such as strains and swellings only use cold compresses.

Directions for use

Massage: Mix 20 ml of carrier oil (sweet almond, grape seed) to 10 drops of pure essential oil.

Compress: Add 1-2 drops of pure essential oil to 1 litre of warm water. Lay sterile material on the surface of the water thus attracting a film of oil onto the cloth. Apply the material onto the affected area and leave for ten minutes. Repeat daily.

Eczema

Anti-septic and is especially good to use on skin that is red and sore. 

Directions for use

Compress: Add 1-2 drops of pure essential oil to 1 litre of warm water. Lay sterile material on the surface of the water thus attracting a film of oil onto the cloth. Apply the material onto the affected area and leave for 10 minutes. Repeat daily.

Massage: Mix 1 drop of pure essential oil to 2 teaspoons of almond or grape seed oil, or any other carrier oil and rub into affected area.

Bath: Add up to 5 drops of pure essential oil to a bath of water and lie back and relax.

Teething

Directions for use

Dilute to 1% with carrier oil (sweet almond, grape seed) and rub into cheeks.

Further Information

Where grown: It is a perennial low growing herb with daisy-shaped yellow heads, belonging to the Asteraceae family.

Method of extraction: Steam distillation.

Colour and smell: It is blue and smells like apples.

Active ingredients: 80% of its composition is made up of angelic ester and tiglic ester. Other constituents include pinocarvone, chamazulene, isobutyl angelate, and others. The chamazulene gives it its analgesic properties.

Properties: Anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, analgesic, disinfectant.

Mixes well with: It makes a good alternative to lavender oil and can be used instead of lavender oil in blends. Chamomile also blends well with geranium and clary sage.