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Camomile (Anthemis Nobilis, Matricaria Chamomilla)
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From art and literature to health and beauty, chamomile has made an inedible impression. This small wonder has many hair and skin benefits. The name, originally in Greek means "earth apple" because of its scent which has caling properties. Through steam distillation of the plant's leaves and flowers and powerful oil is created. This flower has a warm, fruitey fragrance. With all its curative factors, it comes as no surprise that chamolile plays and important role in hair products, face creams and body lotions. Chamomile has soothing properties and is also known to induce sleep. In hair care it is oftern used tfor scalp conditions like dandruff, Dandruff is a result of over production of oil from sebaceous glands.
It is common knowledge that an oily scalp can be treated with chamomile. The characteristics of an oily scalp is that it produces excess scalp cells that end up drying out and falling off in patches as dandruff. Once you have brought the excess oiliness under control, you can say goodbye to this type of dandruff.
Apart from negating excessive oiliness, chamomile can correct the scalp water balance so that it is not overly dry. The plant is a popular ingredient in natural hair lightening products. It strengthens and revitalizes strands and minimizes damage caused by internal ailments, toxic chemical hair products. sun exposure, harsh detergents, heat from styling appliances and environmental factors. There are two types of oils, Roman and German.
Health Benefits of Chamomile
The health benefits of chamomile can be attributed to its properties anti spasmodic, anti septic, anti biotic, anti depressant, anti neuralgic, anti phlogistic, carminative, cholagogue, cicatrisant, emenagogue, analgesic, febrifuge, hepatic, sedative, nervine, digestive, tonic, antispasmodic, bactericidal, sudorific, stomachic, anti inflammatory, anti infectious, vermifuge, vulnerary, etc.
Chamomile Oil is extracted from the flowers of the Chamomile plant which is very popular as a flowering plant. There are two types of Chamomile, namely, the Roman Chamomile which is scientifically known as Anthemis Nobilis and the German Chamomile whose scientific name is Matricaria Chamomilla. Although the essential oils extracted from both the varieties are quite similar in medicinal properties, yet they differ to some extent when it comes to their composition and certain properties.
The Roman Camomile oil is constituted of Alpha Pinene, Beta Pinene, Camphene, Caryophyllene, Sabinene, Myrcene, Gamma Terpinene, Pinocarvone, Farsenol, Cineole, Propyl Angelate and Butyl Angelate.
The German Chamomile oil, on the other hand, is composed of Azulene (here called Chamazulene, since found in Chamomile), Alpha Bisabolol, Bisabolol Oxide-A & B and Bisabolene Oxide-A.
While the Roman Chamomile Oil is more calming and is a better emenagogue, the German Chamomile is a very powerful anti inflammatory due to presence of a compound called Azulene (It is a nitrogenous compound and is responsible for giving it a characteristic deep blue color). But these are not the only medicinal properties of Chamomile Oil. There are lots and lots of them. The properties given below include those of the Roman as well as the German variety, except where mentioned otherwise.
Just go through them and you’ll discover a whole range of safe medicines.
Anti Septic, Anti Biotic, Disinfectant, Bactericidal & Vermifuge: They have very good anti septic and anti biotic properties and do not let biotic infections (infections due to biotic factors such as bacteria, fungi etc.) develop. They also wipe off infections already present. These are good vermifuge too and kill all sorts of intestinal worms. If applied on hair, it kills lice and mites, keeping hair and scalp free from infections and damage.
Stimulant & Anti Depressant: Both the varieties have been seen very effective in fighting depression and for raising spirit. They eliminate feeling of sadness, depression, disappointment, sluggishness etc. and induce a sort of happy or charged feeling. Even smelling these oils can help a lot overcoming depression and bring about good mood.
Anti Inflammatory & Sedative: While Roman Chamomile is found effective in calming down annoyance, anger and irritation, particularly in small children. The German variety, on the other hand, is found more effective on adults for curing inflammations, particularly those in digestive and urinary system. They also reduce blood pressure and check swelling of the blood vessels.
Analgesic & Anti Neuralgic: They have analgesic properties and efficiently reduce pain in muscles and joints, headache, sinus, toothache, bone injuries etc. They are also very effective in giving relief in the severe pain of Neuralgia by constricting the blood vessels surrounding the Ninth Cranial Nerve and relieving pressure on it.
Stomachic, Digestive and Hepatic & Cholagogue: Being stomachic, they tone up stomach and set it to proper function. They promote secretion of digestive juices into stomach and facilitate digestion. They also promote digestion. Being Hepatic (meaning good for liver), they ensure good health of liver and proper flow of bile from it. They are also Cholagogue, meaning they increase secretion of Hydrochloric Acid, bile and enzymes in stomach, thereby promoting digestion.
Anti Rheumatic & Anti Phlogistic: They cure dysfunctions of the circulatory system, stimulate circulation and detoxify the blood of toxins like uric acid, thereby helping cure ailments like Rheumatism, Arthritis etc. which are caused due to improper circulation and accumulation of uric. These make them good Anti Phlogistics, the agents which reduce swelling and edema.
Anti Spasmodic, Relaxant & Nervine: They calm all nervous disturbances or hyper-reactions which result in convulsions, spasms, nervousness, loss of control over limbs etc. They are Nervine, that is, keep the nerves and the nervous system in a state of good health and proper functioning.
Cicatrisant & Vulnerary: They are very popular in the world of cosmetics, as they diminish the scars, marks and spots on the skin and on the face (being a Cicatrisant) and also protect wounds, cuts and bruises from getting infected, thus serving as a Vulnerary.
Sudorific & Febrifuge: They induce profuse perspiration (being Sudorific), thus removing toxins and agents causing infections and cooling down the body, effectively giving relief in fever, thus serving as a Febrifuge.
Carminative: Expel gas from the intestines and stomach and also check gas formation. This also helps relax the body and lower blood pressure. It also ends the chances of other risks from gas, such as trapping of gas in the wind pipe etc.
Tonic: They are tonic in nature, i.e. they tone up skin, muscles, internal organs etc.
Other Benefits: They are anti allergenic, help cure acne by removing toxins and cleaning Sebaceous and Eccrine glands through sweating, clean up the urinary system and the kidneys through increased urination (being diuretic), detoxify blood and increase strength as they are also fortifying in nature. They can help cure viral infections like mumps, measles etc. Can be used in mouth wash too, to keep away bad breath and eliminate oral infections. German Chamomile oil is a vasoconstrictor.
Few Words of Caution: No specific threats noticed, except that it should be avoided if someone has allergies with it or with any other member of Ragweed Family, to which Chamomile belongs.
Blending: Chamomile Oil forms find blends with Bergamot, Clary Sage, Lavender, Jasmine, Geranium, Grapefruit, Tea Tree, Rose, Lemon, Lime and Ylang-Ylang Oil.
Disclaimer: The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.
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