There are so many essential oils to choose from that it can be difficult to keep track of the benefits that each one provides. Chamomile essential oil is one of these many and in this article, we are going to be exploring some of the ways this oil can be used and the benefits it might bring.
More often than not, when you think of chamomile, you will likely envisage a relaxing, hot cup of chamomile tea. However, there are so many other ways that chamomile essential oil can be advantageous for anyone who regularly uses it.
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What Is Chamomile Essential Oil?
This essential oil has a beautifully sweet yet floral aroma and is widely used in the world of aromatherapy as well as in the health industry. There are various parts of the plant from which essential oils are extracted and in the case of chamomile, the oil comes from the flowers of the chamomile plant.
There are two common variants of the plant, German and Roman, both are made up from the same chemical compounds, although the levels of these are thought to be much higher in the German variety.
Benefits And Uses Of Chamomile Essential Oil
Whilst we often associate chamomile with relaxation, and this is perfectly warranted, there are other benefits that can be observed from the use of this essential oil. We will now take a closer look at what you can expect from using the oil.
Heal Wounds
There has been a lot of research into the benefits of chamomiles essential oil and one study has shown it’s ability to aid in the healing of cuts and wounds.
It has been noted that chamomile oil has very good anti-bacterial properties, something which is essential when it comes to effective healing of a wound.
Improve Digestion
With so many unhealthy food options available to us, it is little wonder that many people are suffering from digestive upset, however, a natural approach to aiding conditions like these is the sue of chamomile essential oil.
One of the ways that this oil can be beneficial in a healthy gut is that is can help to prevent diarrhoea and stop fluid from building up inside the digestive tract. What’s more, is that chamomile has the ability to regulate a healthy level of gas as well as ensuring a healthy appetite.
If you regularly suffer from indigestion or stomach cramping, chamomile can help to relieve the symptoms of these things.
The oil is also thought to have a positive effect on stomach ulcers. This is due to the high potency of anti-bacterial properties found within the oil as well as the anti-inflammatory properties, which combined can promote healing of ulcers and aid in preventing more from developing.
Aids In Mental Health
One of the most common conditions when it comes to mental health is depression, followed shortly by anxiety. Whilst these conditions are certainly prevalent, there is a natural solution. Chamomile oil has been seen to greatly ease the symptoms that are associated with both of these conditions. One of the ways in which the essential oil can do this is by raising the levels of a hormone known as cortisol. For many patients of anxiety, these hormone levels tend to be lower in the morning and this can cause the condition, but by raising the levels, anxiety can be relieved.
Better Oral Health
We all want a healthy mouth and this can be achieved through the use of chamomile essential oil. Through the use of chamomile essential oil, conditions such as gum disease may be treated, this is partially due to the fact that this type of essential oil has the ability to reduce levels of fungus and bacteria. What’s more, because chamomile oil is excellent at relieving pain due to being an analgesic, any discomfort associated with these conditions can be greatly improved.
May Help To Prevent Cancer
Cancer is sadly on the rise and whilst there are some excellent treatment options with more being tested every day, there are ways in which we can potentially prevent cancerous cells from developing in the first place. One such way is through the use of chamomile essential oil which, according to a study on German chamomile may be able to kill off cancerous cells before they have a chance to develop into anything sinister.
The essential oil may also be able to prevent the cancer cells from being able to develop their own blood supply by preventing them from growing blood vessels. Without these, cancerous tumours are unable to thrive.
Improve Your Sleep
We mentioned how chamomile has always associated with a pleasant night’s sleep and this is something which is far from a false claim. If chamomile essential oil is used regularly, it can be very effective in promoting a more pleasant and peaceful night’s sleep.
Treat Skin Conditions
One of the most popular uses for chamomile essential oil is for the treatment of irritating skin conditions such as eczema. We have already discovered that chamomile oil is an excellent anti-inflammatory and this property can greatly benefit the healing of such skin conditions. Studies have shown that the oil has a positive effect on conditions such as dermatitis and can be safely used as a topical treatment for the condition.
What’s more, the oil will reduce redness and itching, which are two very common symptoms of these types of skin condition.
Safe Use Of Chamomile Essential Oil
It is vital when using any essential oil, that you do so with caution. There could be side effects and following the general safety guidelines for essential oil use is highly advisable. However, for chamomile oil, there are some specific things that should be kept in mind.
- If you are taking medication such as Warfarin, there is a chance that using chamomile essential oil may cause an unwanted interaction. It is therefore important that you discuss this with your doctor before beginning use of the oil.
- For those who have seasonal allergies, chamomile oil may not be suitable. It is advisable to perform a patch test or avoid using if you may be allergic to the oil.
- It has been known that chamomile oil may cause contractions of the uterus and so if you are pregnant, using this oil should be avoided.
- In some cases, chamomile essential oil may react to certain ingredients in oral hygiene products, it is therefore important to check this before using.
Conclusion
Aside from being the perfect solution to a good night’s sleep, chamomile essential oil has a wide range of other health benefits. From aiding in the treatment of itchy skin conditions such as eczema to possibly preventing cancer, this sweet-smelling essential oil is certainly one you will want to have in your bathroom cabinet.
Of course, as with all essential oils, there are certain safety precautions that you should take heed of before beginning use to ensure that you gain the best benefits that the oil has to offer.