Spotlight On: Roman Chamomile

Botanical Name: Chamaemelum nobile

Type of Plant: Perennial herb with small, daisy-like flowers

Method of extraction: Steam distillation of the flower heads.

I’m going to be honest here – I hate the smell of chamomile!  In fact, I detest all the essential oils in the Compositae family – both Roman & German Chamomile, plus Helichrysum (or Everlasting).   The irony is that these are also all very expensive oils, so it literally pains me to spend so much money on something I don’t really care for.  However, there is no denying Roman Chamomile’s effectiveness as a relaxation agent.  And if you blend it just right, the scent becomes a non-issue.

Almost any type of skin disorder or rash can be helped with some combination of R.Chamomile & Lavender. Simply add it to your preferred carrier oil or an unscented lotion base at the proper dilution, and apply to the skin as needed.

R.Chamomile is available as a hydrosol, although I do not currently own any.  I’d love to mix it with Lavender hydrosol and use it as my first line of defence for allergic outbreaks on the skin. This oil is so gentle that respected author and Aromatherapist, Valerie Ann Worwood, recommends that it can be used on children beginning from birth (at the proper dilution, of course).

Chamomile can be used internally in the form of tea, available for purchase at nearly every grocery store.  Its famous as a bed-time tea, but it’s also reported to help keep the urinary tract clear.  Of course, drinking copious quantities of any liquid will help ensure frequent urination and “flushing out” of the tract.

Although I may not enjoy the scent, I must admit that the plant itself is one of my favourites.  I’m a sucker for daisies!