Scents & Scent’s Ability – Chamomile

Chamomile (or camomile) comes from the Greek word khamaimelon which is derived from “kamai” (earth, or on the ground) and “melon” (apple), due to it’s sweet, fruity aroma. Chamomile is the common name for flowers in the asteraceae family, wich includes well over 3,000 species of flowering plants. The two types of chamomile with which are most familiar to us are matricaria chamomilla (German chamomile) and chamaemelum nobile (Roman chamomile).

Chamomile has been used for thousands of years as a medicine treating a variety of illnesses, was widely used in cosmetics and perfumes and in religious rituals and ceremonies in ancient Greece and Rome, where chamomile was thought to have magic, as well as medicinal, qualities.

In Egypt, chamomile was considered a gift from the Sun God, Ra. The Egyptians included chamomile oil in their embalming practices, but the precious chamomile oil was reserved only for use on Pharaohs. In order to make chamomile oil, the ancient Egyptians used a process in which the plant was infused or pulped into animal or vegetable fat, creating a fragrant oil.

Today, chamomile essential oil is derived from a steam distillation process and continues to be used for medicinal purposes, in cosmetics and perfumes, and aromatherapy.

Chamomile in Skin Care

Chamomile is known for use on dry, sensitive skin. Chamomile is an anti-inflammatory and is used to sooth sunburn, dry skin, and can help eczema, hyper-pigmentation and dehydrated skin. It’s also an anti-microbial and can ward off bacteria and viruses. Finally, chamomile contains anti-oxidants that promote skin cell regeneration, tighten pores and slow down the effects of age on the skin.

At The Angelina Store, 100% pure Roman chamomile essential oil is used in our line of chamomile skin care products, designed especially for sensitive skin, which includes Chamomile Gentle Daily Cleanser, Chamomile Moisturizer, and Chamomile Hydrating Serum. In the near future, look for our Chamomile Hydrating Sheet Masks.

Aromatherapeutic Benefits of Chamomile

Chamomile essential oil is renowned for its relaxing, calming qualities. It can be used in a diffuser, in a spray (let us know if you would like us to craft a chamomile room spray for you), or diluted with a carrier oil and applied topically to reduce stress and anxiety, and lull one to sleep for a night of sweetly perfumed dreams.

Our Chamomile scented candles are made with chamomile fragrance oil, which does not have the same direct benefits as essential oil. Chamomile essential oil is at a price point that makes using them in candles cost-prohibitive to make or to buy. People love scented candles because they smell amazing, and fragrance oils tend to be stronger, and last longer. Chamomile fragrance oil smells fresh and gorgeous, with a very strong note of “earth apple.” While it may not have the direct benefits of pure essential oil, it definitely lifts the mood with it’s sweet perfume, and is very relaxing.

Benefits of Drinking Chamomile Tea

Chamomile herbal infusions have been used to treat a host of ailments including nervousness and anxiety, and also used as a soporific, due to anti-oxidants may benefit heart health, eases menstrual discomfort, inflammation and even helps regulate blood sugar.

Down the road, we plan to include organic tisanes – dried herbal blends for infusions – in our product line, and chamomile is definitely going to be on offer. We will have other blends as well, such as my favorite, oregano and mint tisane, which is delicious hot or on ice. We’ve also designed beautiful mugs with a chamomile and butterfly theme to launch with the tisanes this autumn.

Bespoke skin care and aromatherapy products are our specialty, using natural, organic ingredients. Even if we do not (yet) offer something on our website that you would love to try, for example – chamomile infused shower gel, body butter, room spray, essential oil scent roller, or hand soap, drop us a line at [email protected] and let us know how we can make your chamomile dreams come true.

Camomile Tea
By Katherine Mansfield

Outside the sky is light with stars;
There’s a hollow roaring from the sea.
And, alas! for the little almond flowers,
The wind is shaking the almond tree.

How little I thought, a year ago,
In the horrible cottage upon the Lee
That he and I should be sitting so
And sipping a cup of camomile tea.

Light as feathers the witches fly,
The horn of the moon is plain to see;
By a firefly under a jonquil flower
A goblin toasts a bumble-bee.

We might be fifty, we might be five,
So snug, so compact, so wise are we!
Under the kitchen-table leg
My knee is pressing against his knee.

Our shutters are shut, the fire is low,
The tap is dripping peacefully;
The saucepan shadows on the wall
Are black and round and plain to see.