The benefits that essential oils bring to our mental and physical health has made them a go-to natural remedy to treat various ailments and health conditions. Essential oils such as chamomile oil can help to improve your mood and relax your mind to promote better sleep.
What Is Chamomile Oil?
Chamomile is a flowering plant that is popularly known for its medicinal properties. There are two types of chamomile — German chamomile and Roman chamomile. Although their composition is different, they are both similar in their medicinal properties.
The essential oil is extracted from the flowers of this plant through the process of steam distillation.
Roman chamomile oil contains camphene, sabinene, myrcene, alpha and beta pinene, cineole, butyl angelate and propyl angelate. German Chamomile contains bisabolene oxide-A, bisabolol oxide-A and B, alpha bisabolol and azulene.
Uses and Benefits of Chamomile Oil
Chamomile oil blends with other oils such as tea tree, lavender, clary sage, lemon, jasmine, geranium and grapefruit. Keeping chamomile essential oil at home will prove to be useful in your day-to-day life.
Uses of Chamomile Oil
Chamomile essential oil can be used in the following ways:
- Mouth freshener to eliminate bad breath
- In aromatherapy to lighten the mood
- As a vasodilator to reduce blood pressure
- As a sedative or to induce sleep
- As a moisturizer for smooth and glowing skin
- As a painkiller
- As a decongestant
- As a fragrance in soaps, perfumes and cosmetics
Chamomile oil contains analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, sedative, antidepressant and antineuralgic properties.
Benefits of Chamomile Oil
Some of the main health benefits of chamomile oil are the following:
1. Reduces anger
Known for its calming and nerve relaxing properties, chamomile essential oil helps reduce anger, irritation and mood swings. It is very useful for both children and adults.
2. Improves digestion
Rich in stomachic properties, chamomile oil facilitates digestion and promotes the secretion of digestive juices. It also tones the stomach and ensures proper functioning of the surrounding organs.
3. Reduces depression
Chamomile essential oil is considered to be an excellent remedy for depression due to the antidepressant properties that induce a happy and positive feeling.
It works to eliminate feelings of disappointment, sadness, sluggishness and depression. All you need to do is smell the aroma of this oil for the welcome change.
4. Helps alleviate PMS
Chamomile oil is rich in antispasmodic properties that can soothe body aches and reduce menstrual cramps. It also treats other symptoms such as backaches and headaches that are associated with PMS.
5. Maintains skin health
Chamomile oil contains antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that help maintain good skin health. It is commonly used as a remedy to treat skin irritations, eczema, ulcers, pimples, eye infections, diaper rash and canker sores.
6. Treats arthritis
The abundance of flavonoids found in chamomile oil absorbs into the deep layers of the skin to provide relief from any pain and discomfort from arthritis. Additionally, the anti-inflammatory properties present in the oil helps to treat joint pain and arthritis.
7. Detoxifies the body
Being sudorific in nature, chamomile essential oil triggers perspiration, which helps eliminate harmful toxins from the body and simultaneously cools down the body. It is also considered to be a good remedy to treat fevers.
8. Eliminates excess gas
Gas can be an uncomfortable medical condition and trapped gas in the windpipe can be fatal for your health. Chamomile oil is very useful in removing excess gas from the body and prevents the formation of gas in the future.
Side Effects of Chamomile Oil
While chamomile oil has no known or reported side effects when used in limited quantities, always conduct a patch test before using chamomile essential oil for the first time.
- Pregnant and breastfeeding women are advised not to use chamomile oil.
- Those having sensitive skin are also advised against using chamomile oil.
