8 Benefits of Chamomile Essential Oil |

Chamomile is a kind of flower/herb that encompasses several of the plants in the Asteraceae family. It is a popular herb that appears in a variety of forms, but one of the most popular is an essential oil. There are several varieties of chamomile essential oil, but the two most popular are Roman and German strands.

German chamomile is made from a flower in the daisy family and is known as “blue chamomile oil” because of its deep blue color. German chamomile is best for treating internal and external inflammation and certain skin conditions. Roman chamomile comes from an evergreen plant and is best used for muscle aches and cramps as well as relaxing the mind and body. Keep these differences in mind when choosing which essential oil will work best for your needs.

Benefits of Chamomile Essential Oil

1. A Natural Way to Treat Anxiety

Recent studies have shown positive results around using chamomile oil to treat generalized anxiety disorder. A 2017 study found that chamomile extract reduced symptoms of GAD over the course of 8 weeks and was comparable to conventional anxiety drug treatment. More research needs to be done, but chamomile oil can be drug alternative to treat anxiety and high cortisol levels.

2. Improves Sleep Quality

Chamomile is a mild sedative, so it can relax the nervous system and make you drowsy. Multiple studies have found that drinking chamomile tea before bed can help improve sleep for those with insomnia, menopausal women, and post-pregnancy women. This is all due to a flavonoid, apigenin, which has the same function as prescription drugs that treat insomnia. Chamomile is one of the largest natural sources of apigenin and therefore is one of the best holistic treatment options for improving sleep.

However, because chamomile is so good at making you drowsy, it is important to remember to take it at the right time of day. Taking chamomile when you do not want to be tired is not recommended.

3. Chamomile Soothes Sensitive Skin

German chamomile oil has a long history of improving skin conditions such as dermatitis and eczema. This is due to this particular strain of oil having 3 organic compounds that have antihistaminic and anti-inflammatory effects. More Western medicinal tests need to be done to scientifically confirm this, but if you suffer from sensitive skin and/or a skin condition but don’t want some of the side effects of topical steroids, try diluted chamomile essential oil instead.

Keep in mind, if you are applying chamomile to your face to treat your skin, be careful to not get it near your eyes, as it will significantly irritate your eyes.

4. Eases Gas and Indigestion

Many suffer from indigestion, gas, and bloating, and chamomile oil might be able to help ease digestion stuggles. Several studies have revealed that topical chamomile oil application had muscle-relaxing effects on the bowel that allowed patients to pass gas faster and protect against fluid accumulation in the intestines. If you suffer from indigestion or gas, try rubbing some diluted chamomile oil on your belly to relax your intestinal muscles.

5. Reduce Menstrual Pain

Heavy bleeding and pain during menstruation are common effects that almost anyone who has had a period has experienced. Besides over-the-counter pain medications, there are not many other treatments to relieve women’s menstrual ailments, so many look for alternative pain relief methods such as chamomile oil. Multiple studies have been conducted to research the effect of chamomile on menstruation pain. The overall consensus is that when taken in an oral capsule, chamomile can be used to reduce menstruation pain and menstrual bleeding. So, if you are looking to reduce menstrual bleeding and cramps, talk to your doctor about taking chamomile.

6. Wound Healing

A study has shown that Roman chamomile improved the wound healing of infected wounds when compared to a traditional antibiotic. The study revealed that chamomile actually had a higher healing rate than the antibiotic; however, more studies need to be done to solidify this claim. So, if you are out of antibiotics or live a more holistic lifestyle, give diluted chamomile oil a chance next time you need a disinfectant.

7. Joint and Muscle Pain

The topical application of chamomile oil to inflamed joints can significantly reduce the need for pain medication. Tested on those with osteoarthritis, patients noticed a lack of need for pain medication when they regularly applied chamomile oil to their inflamed joints.

8. Hair Health

Chamomile is a fairly well-known hair and scalp strengthener. There is not a lot of formal research to prove this; however, hundreds of years of use have reflected that chamomile does have hair benefits. These benefits include stimulating the scalp to promote hair growth; lightening hair color, preventing split ends, and reducing dandruff. Specifically in tea form, chamomile tea acts as a natural exfoliant that reduces dandruff and contains vitamins that promote healthy hair follicles. It also has the natural ability to lighten and nourish hair as it enhances blond hair’s natural golden color and prevents dryness and brittle ends.

Chamomile Cautions and Side Effects

Remember to always dilute your concentrated essential oil with a carrier oil, as putting concentrated essential oil directly on the body can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions.
Possible Chamomile Allergy: The chamomile plants are in the same family as ragweed, marigolds, and daisies, so if you have an allergy to any of these other plants, there is a high probability that you will also be allergic to chamomile plants. It is recommended to not use any form of chamomile until you are sure you aren’t allergic to it as well.
Medication: Be careful of using chamomile oil if you are taking blood thinners, sedatives, and/or anti-anxiety medication, as chamomile can interfere with these medications. If you want to start using chamomile but you are on one or multiple of these medications, please talk to your doctor before you start using chamomile to be aware of all possible side effects and symptoms.